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26 Jul, 2010 by Suzanne
kelly is on top of things. Gives excellent advise. Returns phone calls, emails in timely manner. Very professional. I highly recommend her. Reasonable rates in comparison to other attorneys
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28 Apr, 2024 by Ruhaan ahmad
Jason was a great help! He worked swiftly and effectively, and kept me informed with everything going on each step of the way! I highly suggest!
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21 Apr, 2024 by Ryan russo
Jason was very helpful and I would certainly recommend him to anyone in State College who needs a lawyer!
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25 Mar, 2024 by Ryan “fly_guy 2” pinto
Jason was a huge help throughout the process while being able to give full and precise answers to any questions. He also guided me through everything I needed to do where it was very easy for me to follow. Highly recommended!!
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28 Apr, 2024 by Ruhaan ahmad
Jason was a great help! He worked swiftly and effectively, and kept me informed with everything going on each step of the way! I highly suggest!
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21 Apr, 2024 by Ryan russo
Jason was very helpful and I would certainly recommend him to anyone in State College who needs a lawyer!
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25 Mar, 2024 by Ryan “fly_guy 2” pinto
Jason was a huge help throughout the process while being able to give full and precise answers to any questions. He also guided me through everything I needed to do where it was very easy for me to follow. Highly recommended!!
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28 Apr, 2024 by Ruhaan ahmad
Jason was a great help! He worked swiftly and effectively, and kept me informed with everything going on each step of the way! I highly suggest!
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21 Apr, 2024 by Ryan russo
Jason was very helpful and I would certainly recommend him to anyone in State College who needs a lawyer!
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25 Mar, 2024 by Ryan “fly_guy 2” pinto
Jason was a huge help throughout the process while being able to give full and precise answers to any questions. He also guided me through everything I needed to do where it was very easy for me to follow. Highly recommended!!
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18 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
Laura is professional, organized and absolutely has calls returned in a reasonable amount of time . She listens and can be compassionate at times. With that being said I would not recommend her if you are a male dealing with a PFA being filed. I never abused my wife in 11 yrs of marriage. I did not abuse her physically, emotionally, verbally or financially. I had a PFA filed and when it was served to me it was of a denied PFA because the judge saw right through it. However, due to persistence by outside pressures and the coaching by counselors at the Women's Resource Center , another one was filed with a couple of blatant and obvious lies and was granted. I hired Attorney Robbins to fight the PFA. The agreement was to fight it. I was devastated to even have my name in the same sentence with abuser or wife beater. When we got to court, Laura cowered to pressure from the Women's Resource Center and Assistant Prosecutor. I had only been to court a few time and never for a charge of abuse. Laura decided I should plead guilty. Her explanation was that if they can convince or prove of even one incident of abuse and I plead not guilty that it would be bad. I admit I forget the exact consequences. This happened several years ago and I have learned a lot since then. In the county in Pennsylvania that I live in now, my wife would not even have been granted a PFA or her PFA would have quickly been denied. Yet, due to inexperience in life and law I listed to Laura and plead guilty. She convinced me by asked Ng if I had ever raised my voice at my wife, now ex....I said well yes, but rarely and I did not yell or step or call her names. Laura said something like but you raised your voice and that's enough. Now, in Laura's defense, when this happened, abuse by men was a hot topic in Centre County. A retired State Trooper had around that time gone into a Weis Market in Philipsburg and shot his estranged wife. In a custody exchange a man shot and killed his ex wife at a Sheetz on Buffalo Run Road. As you can see I'm being honest and explaining the whole story. But the thing is, I really did not abuse my ex. In fact a couple times she abused me and even got a summons from a state Trooper for smacking, hitting and scratching me up. We should of fought it, she should of fought it. Does anyone understand the consequences of a PFA being granted by a judge during a separation, custody and divorce. I'm not even going to describe or explain how bad pleading guilty to that PFA did that day, I could write a small book about all the consequences that followed. A couple of quick highlights...In the very beginning of this s mess it became a major issue to even see my kids. I also could not work certain community service events that I like doing and lost many job opportunities. It got worse from there. I cannot speak to how well she does with custody and alimony, I did not use her for that. As for tough cases, fighting false PDA's, no way. Also if I could go back in time I would file for malpractice.
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25 Feb, 2020 by Sandy
I must say how much I appreciate Laura and her attentiveness to her clients. She was the fourth attorney I saw in State college and the one that got my divorce finalized. I did some of the work to eliminate cost, but she made this happen.
I knew after our first consultation that she had empathy and understanding of my situation. She has amazing knowledge and efficiency.
I highly recommend her to anyone and honestly, truly like her as a person.
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14 Apr, 2019 by Patsy
Laura Robbins is an excellent child custody attorney. She was always prepared, responded promptly to any and all questions, and extremely knowledgeable about the 16 points that are addressed in custody cases. With her help in my daughter's custody case we received the outcome we hoped for. We recommend her services very highly!
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09 Sep, 2024 by Phillyman
I consulted with Faith about a house sale that was a result of my inheriting my father's estate. I had never been in this situation before. Faith was extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and guided me through what would have otherwise been a difficult and stressful process. She and her colleague even came out to look at the house.
I highly recommend Faith to anyone looking for an expert real-estate lawyer in the State College area!
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31 Jul, 2024 by Scott logue
01 Jul, 2024 by Patrick hutchison
Tony seems like a nice guy, but I would not recommend him as an attorney. He is unorganized, often tardy, and almost never responds to emails, phone calls, or texts. He also does not provide copies of emails (which are few and far between) that he sends to opposing counsel, so you are constantly guessing on the status and details of your case. He did not instill me with confidence to guide me through the legal processes.
The final straw for me was when he failed to file some legal forms that he asked me to come into his office and sign. He said that he would file them 2 days later, but that never happened. I even texted him about a week later to make sure that the filing went as planned, and there was no response. Eventually, I went into his office after he did not respond to texts, emails, or phone calls, and his receptionist did not even know where he was. I got a cryptic response from him a couple of days later, indicating that he would call me at a specific date and time. That date came and went, and I never heard from him again. The lawyer that I replaced Tony with got my case moving and was able to accomplish more in 2 weeks than he did in over a year.
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20 Oct, 2023 by James rainelli
19 Sep, 2023 by Emily weaver
John Lhota and David Gaines are great to work with!
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10 Sep, 2023 by Cindy rowland
20 Oct, 2023 by James rainelli
19 Sep, 2023 by Emily weaver
John Lhota and David Gaines are great to work with!
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10 Sep, 2023 by Cindy rowland
20 Oct, 2023 by James rainelli
19 Sep, 2023 by Emily weaver
John Lhota and David Gaines are great to work with!
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10 Sep, 2023 by Cindy rowland
20 Oct, 2023 by James rainelli
19 Sep, 2023 by Emily weaver
John Lhota and David Gaines are great to work with!
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10 Sep, 2023 by Cindy rowland
20 Oct, 2023 by James rainelli
19 Sep, 2023 by Emily weaver
John Lhota and David Gaines are great to work with!
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10 Sep, 2023 by Cindy rowland
12 Jul, 2018 by Kristy
Despite that it was apparent that he had not reviewed ANY of the information provided to him ahead of our first meeting with Alan Kirk, we liked him and thought that he would be a solid advocate. The first consultation meeting was free, and he recommended a "wait and see" approach and said that when further action was needed he would expect a retainer before moving forward. A few weeks later we forwarded another communication, asking if it was time to move forward and send a retainer. Not a word. Over a two-week period I called, got the receptionist twice who promised that she would have him call, left four messages, and emailed twice more. NOT A PEEP from Kirk. We found someone who practices more ethically and reliably. Alan Kirk isn't worth your time. Wish I would have read other reviews before wasting an hour, and that I would have trusted my initial impression of "why isn't he more prepared?"
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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.
