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28 Nov, 2016 by Mary
I have been using Al for years, he has helped me in my business with contracts: reviewing, drawing up, negotiations, advice, ect. I have also referred many friends and clients to him as well. He is great, quick and very knowledgable.
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19 Nov, 2016 by Wael
MR. Alfred Verdi represented me in many cases and has done a tremendous job for me. He is always on top of everything, very experienced, honest, responsive and gets excellent results. I highly recommend him to anyone that's looking for the best attorney representation.
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21 Feb, 2024 by Adrian aldana
I couldn't be happier with my results. Law office Serge Arslanian took good care of me and my family.
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10 Nov, 2023 by Rodrigo pastori lara
Super cool attorney
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23 Apr, 2021 by Ms. alondra preciado
Yesenia is the absolute best office secretary and is sure to keep you informed of every step and is very friendly while doing it. She always looks to accommodate and work around certain schedules if need be to see that we get the best service. And as for Serge he is absolutely the best attorney to fight for what's fair and right till the end for his clients. I have and will absolutely continue to recommend Serge Law office to any friends and family who may have a need come up.
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02 Jun, 2023 by 김종호
Mike is very professional and treats you with great attitude, thank you for always being there for me.
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25 May, 2022 by Rebecca taylor
Mike and his staff where very professional and attentive. They where always available to answer any questions I had and kept me updated thru the process. They went above and beyond to do everything possible regardless of the obstacles the insurance company presented.
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30 Mar, 2022 by Benjamin nabati
Respectful, Knowledgeable, Honest, Concerned, Friendly, Professional. Mike & his staff are Champs!
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08 Oct, 2024 by Stanley mui
Back in August, I called Goldfarb & Luu to update my revocable trust. I last updated in 2001.
The quote was $1050.00 depending on how much time is spent reviewing it. If a paralegal reviews it. It is $295.00 per hour. If an attorney needs to review it, it is $525.00 per hour.
Annette , Rebecca’s administrative assistant and I agreed on a schedule by phone with a paralegal and Rebecca. Then shortly after, I received an email but the schedule to talk to Michelle/paralegal and Rebecca had completely changed without our prior agreement .She agreed to revert Michelle’s back to the original but was quite adamant not changing Rebecca’s schedule as Rebecca’s schedule was quite full but her schedule wasn’t convenient for me. Nevertheless I consented because I liked to get it moving .
After talking Michelle I wasn’t happy about it . Michelle and I spent 15 minutes , verifying the account numbers of each of my asset account. I felt what she did as a paralegal wasn’t warranted as it was quite clerical and didn’t require a paralegal to ask me if my account numbers as stated were corrected. That phone call and reviewing the existing estate plan costed $206.50 ( 0.7 hours or 42 minutes . My phone record indicates 15 minutes so she used 27 minutes to review my old trust ).
Rebecca reviewed my trust and wrote the following “ Your trust is only 16 pages long and is missing critical sections so unfortunately, we cannot amend it and need to restate it. The most cost efficient option moving forward will be our Comprehensive Estate Planning where you will get all new documents - $5900 “ , to which I replied what “ My trust is a folder that is 3 inches thick. I don’t know what you meant by only 16 pages long. As for $5900.00. According to Google A detail estate planning costs $900 to $5950. Mine is simple. … I have no houses, no exotic cars, no sail boats, nothing physical that I want to give away. I don’t know why it will cost me $5900.00. “. Rebecca didn’t respond to my question . She just replied I need to redo my 5 health directive.
I called 2 attorneys from a list suggested by Fidelity. One quoted $3500 to $5000.00 and another quoted $4000 to $6000 . Both said the price depends on complexity. If I have multiple properties, own business, limited partnership etc, then it will be at the higher end of the range. She said in my case, it would be more toward the lower end of the range or around $3000 , less than half of what G & L wanted .
At that point, I felt that Rebecca’s price is way of line . I got the impression that $1050 is a done deal, a bit more or a bit less. I agreed to move forward after the initial 30 minutes free consultation. Her suggestion of “Comprehensive Estate Planning “ wasn’t warranted because mine is simple. I called Rebecca I am cancelling the next appointment, reminding myself that her rate of $525.00 per hour . I told her I will pick up my trust folder. When I showed up her staff returned my folder , plus a check for $656.50. I paid $1050.00 so her company spent $393.50. The invoice itemized each email and time spent reviewing the old trust. I counted 9 email responses costing $187.00 or $21.00 per email response on the average . So after spending $393.50, I accomplished absolutely nothing.
By chance I found a company called The Document People near Topanga Canyon and Ventura Blvd on Google. I called them. Andrea answered. I also watched their video in preparation for that. The quote was $799 for single. $899 for couple. All I have to do is to setup an appointment, come in and fill out some forms ( to start from scratch ), return to sign some forms . Regardless of complexity, it takes about 1 week. Appointments were readily available. Email and phone responses incur no charges ( as opposed to to G & L where I can be charged for that )
I just got my trust updated for $399.00 last Tuesday. I lost $393.50 . but I saved $5500.00
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27 Aug, 2024 by Райхона исомиддинова
06 Aug, 2024 by Brad altfest
Positioned themselves as a full-service practice at a critical time when I was moving my mom from out of state to be better able to take care of her. Every one of their "specialists" knew nothing about their supposed subject area, except to refer me to other for pay professionals outside the practice. Then, when I would ask the questions the practice couldn't answer, they would tell me that that was something that the practice should have been able to answer for me. Literally got more value out of the utterly free services from the retirement community center around the corner from my apartment. Also blew through $600.00 of the $1,000 retainer and literally produced nothing of any substance. And had the gall to tell me that the complete, straightforward, out of state estate documents I had and just needed to be brought into compliance with California law would have to be completely redone from scratch because of one missing addendum of absolutely no consequence. Do not recommend.
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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.
