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07 Dec, 2018 by John
I have been working with Mr. Wenzel for about 15 years and he is a truly exceptional attorney. He is my go to attorney for everything. Mr. Wenzel is a true professional, do yourself a favor and make him your first call. He will get it done. He can handle extremely complicated estates and business transactions all the way down to the "easy" home close. Every time I call him he gets is done exactly correct! Mr. Wenzel has handled many legal documents and transactions for me, and has delivered perfectly every time. I will share one story in particular that was so over and above exceptional! Keep in mind Mr. Wenzel can handle very complicated transactions but here is an "easy one" it just happens to be my favorite story. My wife and I were buying our dream house on a lake in North Carolina. I personally made this transaction about as complicated as possible, it may have been the most complicated home purchase in history! Mr. Wenzel got it done, on time, and correctly and we did end up closing. That transaction probably made us $200,000 and it would not have happened without Mr. Wenzel.
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06 Dec, 2018 by Sean
I have hired Jason multiple times for both real estate and business services. In every case, he has proven to be incredibly responsive, detailed, and honest. He took the time to answer all questions and provide me with the information needed to make a well informed decision. I greatly appreciate his approach and truly feel as though he is always working with my best interest in mind. I would strongly recommend Jason and his team.
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06 Dec, 2018 by Matt
Over the past 15 years, Jason has provided estate planning services for my family and assisted on multiple residential real estate transactions. He and his team have always been responsive, extremely thorough and patient, continually taking the time to educate our family, as well as facilitate the task at hand.
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29 Aug, 2024 by Maxeem romais
I can't thank Clint Mast enough for the incredible job he did on my custody case. From the very start, Clint was not just my lawyer but a true ally. He took the time to really understand my situation and gave me straightforward, practical advice that made all the difference. What impressed me most was Clint's ability to know exactly when to push hard and when to take a step back. This intuitive approach was key in navigating the complexities of my case. He was always super responsive, ready to answer my questions, and ease my concerns, no matter how small. Clint went above and beyond, helping me with issues beyond just the case. His professionalism and genuine care were clear in every interaction. As a man in the court system, I often felt disadvantaged, but Clint ensured that was not the case. His dedication and strategic thinking led us to achieve a favorable outcome that I couldn’t have imagined. If you're looking for a lawyer who truly goes above and beyond, I highly recommend Clint Mast. He is not just skilled but also compassionate and insightful, making a tough situation much more manageable.
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08 May, 2024 by Abel rivera
Muy mala dejan aventado los caso
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10 Apr, 2024 by Andrew hardison
I've been waiting eagerly for over 8+ months to post this review. Lily Van Patten with Mast Law Firm is undoubtedly one of the best attorneys practicing in Johnston County, NC, and most definitely the best that I have ever personally worked with in my life. Her level of professionalism, communication, and experience, both inside and outside of the courtroom, far exceeded all of my quite lofty expectations. Lily is an attorney that you can trust, she does the right thing and fights for her client's tooth and nail. I appreciate you so much Lily, thank you for making me feel like I was your most important client.
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16 Jul, 2024 by Richard chadeayne
Mr Steve Gourley, Is the best he has stood by my family through everything . Is honest , hard working and up front and easy to work with , And he will tell you the truth .He has helped in many ways for my family. We can't thank him enough.
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16 Jul, 2024 by Tymesha “mesha” moore
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16 Jul, 2024 by Clay collier
Walter is the Man
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14 Jan, 2024 by Rachel rhodes
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03 Jan, 2024 by Doug wiggins
Excellent firm. Helpful, knowledgeable and patient.
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29 Dec, 2023 by Beverly taylor
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25 Feb, 2023 by Terry creech
Ms Dorn s extremely nice and respectful.
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26 Aug, 2022 by Shawn hatfield
Awsome law firm handled a ticket I forgot all about for me on a very short short notice!!! And at a reasonable price very very thankful will definitely be my lawyers moving forward if I ever need any again once again thank yall so much for everything
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07 Aug, 2022 by William hales
Very efficient attorneys an timely
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25 Feb, 2023 by Terry creech
Ms Dorn s extremely nice and respectful.
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26 Aug, 2022 by Shawn hatfield
Awsome law firm handled a ticket I forgot all about for me on a very short short notice!!! And at a reasonable price very very thankful will definitely be my lawyers moving forward if I ever need any again once again thank yall so much for everything
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07 Aug, 2022 by William hales
Very efficient attorneys an timely
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16 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I've had an ongoing suit with George Mast since 2019. He took me and another woman to court for unpaid legal fees that we never knew we owed because he admitted in court he had the wrong address due to his own negligence. Although he had our email addresses the whole time and contact information via phone he did everything through the mail and wrote down the wrong address even though in our file the right address was there. Long story short he sues us takes us to court for $19,000. In the beginning we were giving absolutely horrific legal advice he was ignorant enough to say a separation agreement does not need to be notarized in North Carolina to be valid which is not the case. As a matter of fact we had proof that the notary signed the separation agreement without the wife present due to her illness. We told him this and he said it didn't matter. Crazy!!! There was no more money to fight this battle and he basically told us just sign over the house. In court the judge even corrected him about the separation agreement and said it absolutely has to be notarized... what an embarrassment this man is. The man is 87 years old and has no business practicing law and putting other people's lives in his hands. Long story short The judgment came down to 10,000 which he still did not earn. So a judgment is being placed on a woman that is dying of cancer that lives in a trailer in Florida and a single mother whose husband died last year. Due to his negligence a house was lost and an elderly woman was left with nothing. We have every intention to move forward with a complaint to the bar association . He was also caught billing for his mistakes. He made errors in paperwork and had to go back and fix them and charged us for it. On top of it lost 120 pages of legal work done by a prior attorney. It's unbelievable how the court system works now. But at least Johnston county courts heard first hand how negligent and irresponsible this man is and his firm. I trained monkey would have done a better job for us. Do not ever use this firm or George Mast. www.mastfirm.com
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19 Mar, 2024 by Broke and back to square 1
I was billed over and multiple times for what, I'm not exactly sure. Before even my orientation to mediation, I was billed 3 grand. Can't imagine what the cost would've been to even mediate or more less, go to court. I had to ask the same question multiple times to get a response and was billed for the multiple communication attempts! Seriously? I sent in payment which still wasn't reflected on my bill a month after they cashed my check. Still waiting for a response from the man himself about the exorbitant fees. Of course, 3 days later, I'm still waiting in limbo. Keep looking unless you want to pay a lot for nothing!
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01 Apr, 2010 by John
George is a personable man however if you are from out of state expect that he will bill you double what it costs and will feed you a platefull of DOWN HOME COOKING in other words he will take your money and make sure that you will not prevail. He is currently sueing me for $94,000.00 after being paid $20,000.00 for having done absolutly nothing for our case remember DOWN HOME COOKING he is perfect at it.
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16 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
While I can only speak about my personal experiences, personally I would NOT recommend Emery Ashley for an estate case, as he did NOT know certain critical facts that he SHOULD HAVE KNOWN to practice in this area of law and make a court order stand up in court. Even worse, IF the opposing counsel is George Mast (Sr.) who will do ANYTHING to win (including lying, omitting critical components from a court Order, etc.) you're dead in the water. I hired Emery and he basically "threw me under the bus" by working out a "surprise deal" with opposing counsel without first consulting me. His prepared documents, i.e., Affidavits, etc. DON'T look professionally done, based on my experience. Sadly, all factual truth.
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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