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01 Aug, 2023 by Dalila clark
As said in the previous reviews, Mr. Vargas is rude. He seems to be all about the money. I was advocating for my fiancé, who is in TDC. Who was appointed Mr. Vargas during a case. Mr. Vargas refused to help. The only thing that Mr. Vargas did was ignore text messages and phone calls. He showed up one time to a court case. And did little to absolutely nothing besides show up to the courthouse. I was told by Mr. Vargas over the phone that he would help if I was willing to pay the $300 charge that he charges per hour. I offered to pay that $300 per hour; after offering, Mr. Vargas, then said absolutely no. “I don’t want to take your case. I have paying clients that I’m already assisting” Even though he was already a court appointed attorney on said case. Luckily, I was able to contact the court system. And have Mr. Vargas removed from the case. Yes, it took months for this to actually happen. But thank goodness he was removed. Mr. Vargas is a horrible man. He does not want to actually help his community. I do not understand why anyone gets involved in law if they are not passionate about speaking up against the law, For their clients.
Good riddance Vargas. You will not be missed.
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01 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
I was court appointed this lawyer for a criminal case. Off the bat, I’ll say that his communication skills are horrendous. He does not return calls no matter how urgent the situation is. On one incident he showed up to court 5 hours late. He made absolutely no effort to speak with me about my case. The first two times that he showed up to court he was still unfamiliar with my case details and had to reset multiple times because he was not ready. Extremely dismissive in nature.
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07 Jul, 2021 by Marion
Mr. Vargas was appointed as the attorney for my grand daughter in Comal County Jail. The rules for court appointed lawyers is they have to contact their client within 24 hours of being appointed. I contacted Mr. Vargas after the 24 hours had gone by and he yelled at me for 10 minutes about how he did not want me to call him. This was Wednesday and he said he would see her by Friday, 2 weeks later he had not called her and would not return my calls. I called the court and explained the situation. The next day he did show up at the jail and left before seeing my Grand daughter. He came back with 3 court papers for her to sign, refused to let her read them, told her it was for probation agreement. He told her that I was never to call him or the court or the jail again. So we are trying to get a new court appointed attorney. He is mean and rude and does not keep his word
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26 Sep, 2020 by José
Mr. Valdez has no business holding a Texas bar license to practice any kind of law whatsoever. I have submitted a formal complaint/grievance to the state bar. He was a court appointed lawyer for a case i had in county court 186 in S.A. He missed completely more than one court appointment. A judge during his absence asked the court clerks in a scheduled appointment "is this the same Jerry Valdez that always shows up late if at all ? ". The clerk simply nodded and said "yes your honor". That's to say he has a well established reputation for being tardy and even absent from scheduled court proceedings. Do not for any reason hire this man. He is a crook, a lier, and has no business practicing law in Texas or any other state for that matter. I will work tirelessly to have him disbarred as he is a detriment to legal community as a whole.
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30 May, 2018 by Anonymous
This guy lies, he's not a good lawyer at all. He will not work for you, he works for the courts. No return phone calls, no visits in jail to discuss my case. I only saw him the day of my trial for which as stated he did not fight for me.
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29 Oct, 2017 by Warren
Jerry told lied to me, about what would happen after a conviction, now i cannot drive or find a good job . when i try to contact him, he ignores and avoids my phone calls , and refuses to call me back. My life if now set back for years to come due to this lawyer.
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25 Mar, 2021 by Andrea
This guy was horrible. He failed to get protective order in timely fashion or meet with me and tried to convince me of splitting my son 50/50 after the father abandoned, stalked, harassed, and was mentally unstable. He then said he needed an extra $7k retainer on top of $2.5k he already received. I fired him the next day and he refused to give any of the 7k back nor did he provide a single invoice. This man is a THIEF and should not be allowed to practice law for his lack of ethics.
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31 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
He didn't seem to really work on the details of my case until the very day of mediation. Prior to that, he forgot about our meetings that didnt involve his payment and wasn't prepared for them which left us discussing the exact same things we had already discussed; yet, he had no problem charging me for that meeting and thensome. During one meeting (in which I paid him more $) he yelled and threw papers at me when he got upset that I wouldn't just agree with his point of view of how I should just forget about getting things that the mediated contract noted should have occurred. Yes, I know that complaining about paper being thrown at me sounds silly because it was merely paper, but it should not have happened in the first place. I never felt like he was "on my side" and his advice during mediation was just to give into what the other side demanded since it'll cost more $ in the long run...but that didn't stop him from charging me more than $3,000 after that! Very unprofessional! It'll be a waste of YOUR time and money.
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30 Dec, 2021 by Jose
SHE PRESIDES OVER HER COURT WITH GOD LIKE COMPLEX NOT ALLOWING PLAINTIFF OR DEFEDANTS THAT AREN'T IN HER BRITISH ACCREDITTED COUNTRY CLUB THE SAME PRIVILIGES AND LIBERTIES AFFORDED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHS ACT OF 1964. SHE SHOULD NEVER BE IN OFFICE. PERRIOD!!!!!!!!
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20 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
I used Cynthia for my divorce and custody case, she was a little less expensive than the other consultation with another attorney... I got what I paid for. She didn't return my calls, emails or texts for months and when she finally did she claimed she never got my messages. I used a friends phone once and she answered right away but that didn't work after she had the number. She sat on paperwork, and then worded the decree incorrectly causing me to pay more money than I had to as well as having the attorney general put my child support payments on hold because of the verbiage being wrong on my decree so they couldn't send it to have the money taken from my ex husbands check. When I reached out to her I had to wait over a month to reach her and then she sat on the paperwork again and finally got to court several months later. She sent me a text saying the judged signed and she would send me the decree and my Q-Dro and I never received it nor was I able to reach her again. She was horrible!
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19 Feb, 2021 by Ann
My husband and I hired Mike Kreager after he was recommended by family. We met and explained our needs in late November, we received an engagement letter rapidly and by late December a draft of the llc and gift business. January 6 we received a fat unitemized invoice, then communication went dead... several/many calls and emails during January were unanswered. February 5 received a draft of a will that is a hot mess, and Mr. Kreager is too busy to meet or communicate until mid March. Great service.....not. We will be hiring someone else to clean up his mess. I do not recommend this firm.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Arlene 210-309-0437
Took my $1200.00...Hired her to help Me to get custody of my 3 year old grandson...I go to Court on 1-23-14...she called me and said she has health Issues and will not be practicing law anymore...but will Not refund my money....so I can hire another attorney...Amazing
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30 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
She robs people fgjkhffjjjgghkngfhmgfeegjngfhjhdgjndgjbfgjhfhjgdgjhfghkftjjggjkggjjfgjbswwduiikncsqrr we uoonbsejomvd
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10 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
He has failed to follow through on his promise and took $18,000 from me through his client company 'Team Armando' without fulfilling his duty. After my several attempts to contact him through email, he has blocked it. This is my next avenue to reach him.
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19 May, 2017 by Anonymous
We hired her to resolve an estate issue. She wrote 100s of emails, and changed us thousands of dollars. Her assistance was worthless. We waited years for her to help us. We finally hired another lawyer and they solved the problem in a few days.
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02 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Totally incompetent as is his daughter. I wouldn’t hire him to count pennies much less represent me in court again. Buyer beware
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12 Mar, 2012 by Anonymous
Is willing to turn and run at the slightest hint of a true court battle. Attorneys are suppose to fight for you even if they are hired to defend you by the State as a public defender. The "I dont get paid to investigate anything" attitude only shows, just plead guilty so I can get paid and go to the next.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
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:
-
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.
