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04 Sep, 2013 by Rachel kim
At 1st glance, my case was simple. Mom VS dad fighting over custody of our son.
But when you started to look deeper, you would find that this was anything but a simple case.
Key points, I am a naturalized American citizen born and raised in South Korea, my ex and I met and were married and divorced in Korea while he was stationed there with the US Army. When the divorce was finalized (without a parenting plan due to some conflicts between Korean and American law) , our son was living in Colorado with his paternal grandparents against my wishes. Shortly after the divorce I moved from Korea to WA state and my ex was relocated by the Army to Kansas State.
Once I established residency in WA I filed by proxy with Megan Kahn for custody of my son after my ex and his family continued to deny me all contact with my son.
As soon as the case was opened the grandparent's hired a lawyer and joined the case as intervenors. This brought the case up to 3 parties involved.
So to sum up; Divorced with no parenting plan, 2 countries, 3 states, 3 parties and the US Army
With all those factors; I couldn't have hoped for better legal counsel than Megan Kahn.
She was very compassionate, informative, patient (I have a thick accent and it can be difficult to communicate over the phone) and never failed to make me feel like I was family and that she truly cared.
Our day in court couldn't have gone better, thanks to Mrs. Kahn's guidance, a situation that could have been terrifying was still scary but I felt better emotionally prepared for it than I thought possible. And her performance was above and beyond anything I could have hoped for
To sum up, anyone who finds themselves in the unfortunate position to need legal counsel, will never regret hiring Megan.
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30 Jan, 2012 by Nr
A more diligent and trustworthy lawyer, I could not have asked for. I have just completed a highly contested case that the opposing council kept trying to delay. After false promises from opposing council of mediation and settlement negotiations, Megan wisely advised me that we’d need to proceed to trial. With the health of my son, and the future of my parenting involvement with him at stake, Megan focused my energy on obtaining positive results from our trial. She expertly advised me on tasks that kept me on schedule and strengthened our position. Aware of the benefits and risks, we headed to trial.
Her calm courtroom demeanour is quickly apparent. She was intimately familiar with the case and never asked a question without knowing the reply, or the result of the question. She expertly crafted her line of questioning to present evidence to the judge without risk of objection. Our position was tightly woven leaving the opposing council no room to attack and leaving the judge a clear picture of our stance on major topics. Her reasoning and tact was focused and determined.
On redirect, Megan quickly exposed the holes in opposing council’s arguments and rendered many of their points untenable. Her line of questioning was clever and effective in eliciting the needed responses from the other party without provoking hostility. It was very effective in exposing the other party’s faulty reasoning to the judge.
I could not give Megan Kahn a higher recommendation. She has helped set up a foundation with my parenting schedule that will endure the test of time, avoiding future court cases. She was instrumental in the overall success of the case.
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03 Jul, 2023 by Gene braun
30 Sep, 2022 by Gary
I have been in contact with Ryan on several issues over the last year and he has been great to work with. Helped bring things to a speedy conclusion. He is very personable and easy to work with.
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05 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
When I first met Ryan, I was a bit taken back. He is not what I expected when I heard the term, "Public Defender." Ryan looks more like an East Coast Club Bouncer or maybe a moto-cross racer? But do not be confused. This guy is the real deal. His father is also an attorney with over 30 years of legal experience. From the way that Ryan performs in court, there is no doubt that apples have seeds. I would consider Ryan one of the top attorneys in the Stevens Point area. He is young, aggressive, passionate and extremely smart. Did I say that his father is also an attorney with over 30 years of legal experience and lives close to Ryan? Ryan is a second generation attorney with nearly a lifetime of legal experience. And he is under 30!!! Ryan is only available by appointment from the Public Defenders Office in Portage County. I am a real and actual client. In fact, I was his very first client. You know what it is!!
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20 Jun, 2023 by Clara swan
My experience with Stacey Murphy stellar. 1 1/2 hour appt resolved the issue. Honest, practical advice summed up quickly lead to a fair settlement for me. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
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30 Jan, 2017 by Ann
Three family members attended two meetings to provide information for a simple will for an elderly relative. There was one particular condition that we desired in the will. When this relative died and the will was taken to another attorney, we discovered that the wording used was confusing and totally contrary to our desires. This cost our family thousands of dollars.
When we returned to Mr. Powell and pointed this out he told us that we should have read the final more closely. This was upsetting and caused us to wonder what the fee had been for as the wording was the confusing part.
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FAQs
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What a Real Estate Lawyer Can Do for You
A real estate lawyer provides legal assistance in transactions and disputes involving property, including residential and commercial real estate. Whether you're buying, selling, leasing, or developing property, a real estate attorney can help ensure that your transactions are legally sound and your rights are protected. They review contracts, perform due diligence, resolve disputes, and provide legal representation in negotiations and litigation involving property matters.
Real estate lawyers are crucial in safeguarding your investment by ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal real estate laws, as well as protecting you from potential legal pitfalls related to property ownership and transactions.
When Should I Hire a Real Estate Lawyer?
Hiring a real estate lawyer is beneficial in various scenarios, including:
- Buying or selling property: When navigating complex real estate contracts, it’s advisable to have a lawyer review and ensure that the terms are favorable and legal.
- Commercial property transactions: For leasing, purchasing, or selling commercial properties, a lawyer can help manage the intricate legal aspects of such transactions.
- Zoning or land use issues: If you're planning to develop property or change its use, a real estate lawyer can guide you through zoning laws and land use regulations.
- Resolving property disputes: For boundary disputes, title issues, or disagreements over property rights, a lawyer can help mediate or litigate the matter.
- Foreclosures or evictions: If you're dealing with foreclosure or managing a tenant eviction, legal representation ensures that the process adheres to local laws and protects your interests.
- Title and deed issues: Lawyers can help clear title disputes, ensure the legitimacy of property deeds, and handle transfers of ownership.
What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do?
A real estate lawyer provides a range of services to help with property transactions and disputes, including:
- Contract drafting and review: Ensuring that purchase agreements, leases, and other contracts are legally binding, fair, and protect your interests.
- Title search and clearance: Conducting a thorough title search to ensure that the property has no legal claims or liens that could affect ownership.
- Facilitate closing: Managing the closing process in real estate transactions, including reviewing final documents and ensuring that everything is in order before the transfer of ownership.
- Resolve disputes: Handling legal disputes related to property ownership, boundaries, zoning, or tenants.
- Assist in financing: Reviewing loan agreements and mortgage documents to ensure the terms are fair and legally sound.
- Zoning and land use advice: Guiding clients through the complexities of zoning laws and building regulations for property development or renovation projects.
How Are Real Estate Lawyers Paid?
Real estate lawyers typically charge for their services in the following ways:
- Flat fee: Many real estate transactions, such as reviewing a sales contract or assisting with a closing, are charged on a flat-fee basis.
- Hourly rates: If a lawyer is handling complex disputes or litigation, they may charge by the hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Contingency fees: In rare cases, such as property disputes or claims for damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win or settle the case.
- Retainer: For ongoing legal support, some clients may pay a retainer, which is an upfront fee used as a deposit for future legal services.
It's important to clarify the fee structure with your attorney before hiring them to avoid any surprises.
How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a real estate lawyer varies based on the complexity of the matter, the location of the property, and the lawyer’s experience. Key factors that affect pricing include:
- Type of transaction or issue: Simple tasks, like contract reviews, typically cost less than handling a complex property dispute or litigation.
- Experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in high-demand areas, like urban centers, often charge higher rates.
- Billing structure: Lawyers may charge a flat fee for basic services like document review or hourly for more time-intensive work such as disputes or litigation.
Flat fees for straightforward services like closing assistance may range from $500 to $1,500.
Hourly rates can range from $150 to $400 or more, depending on the attorney’s experience and location.
Always discuss fees upfront to understand the overall cost of the legal service you're receiving.
Top Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer
Before hiring a real estate lawyer, ask the following questions to ensure they are the right fit for your legal needs:
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What experience do you have with real estate law?
Ensure the lawyer has experience in the type of real estate transaction or dispute you’re facing, whether residential, commercial, or development-related. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for services - whether it's a flat fee, hourly rate, or retainer - so there are no surprises later on. -
How long will the process take?
Especially important for real estate transactions or disputes with deadlines, ask for a general estimate of how long the process will last. -
Have you handled cases similar to mine?
Experience with similar transactions or disputes can give you confidence that the lawyer knows how to handle your case. -
Will you handle my case personally, or will it be passed to another attorney?
Confirm who will be handling the bulk of your case work, especially in larger firms where junior lawyers may take on some responsibilities. -
Can you provide references?
Speaking with past clients can give you insight into the lawyer's experience and how they handle cases.
How to Check the Credibility of a Real Estate Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a reputable real estate lawyer, take these steps:
- Check with the state bar association: Verify that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no disciplinary actions on their record.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on legal directories and platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have past clients willing to share their experiences.
- Review their track record and expertise: Look at the lawyer’s website or LinkedIn profile for information about their experience in real estate law and any relevant cases they’ve handled.
- Membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of respected legal or real estate organizations, like the American Bar Association’s Real Property Division, often signal credibility and expertise.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make your first meeting with a real estate lawyer productive, you should prepare the following materials:
- Relevant property documents: Bring purchase agreements, lease contracts, mortgage documents, zoning permits, or any other paperwork related to your case.
- A summary of the issue or transaction: Be ready to explain the situation, whether it's a property dispute, contract negotiation, or development issue.
- Questions about the legal process: Prepare a list of questions about how the lawyer will handle your case and what steps are involved.
- Financial documents or loan agreements: If the case involves financing or a mortgage, bring any related documents for the lawyer to review.
- Your goals and timeline: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, and if there are any deadlines that need to be considered, such as closing dates or legal filings.
By coming prepared, you can ensure that your consultation is efficient and informative, allowing you to assess whether the lawyer is the right fit for your real estate needs.
