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24 Aug, 2024 by Herendi estrada
Es muy buena la licenciada a mi me ayudó mucho en el caso de mi accidente se la recomendó
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18 Jul, 2024 by Gary g
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22 Mar, 2024 by Marisa castro
Working with Yvette / Astria Law Group was so simple and easy. I reached out to her and we had a meeting the following week, and my trust set up the next month! She is great and I highly recommend her for all your estate planning needs.
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03 May, 2016 by Jeri
While going through the extremely difficult process of moving my father into a Memory Care facility, I had some issues with the leasing agent and the property he had been renting. Taylor was able to negotiate a very fair resolution between the property owner and myself. Taylor is extremely knowledgeable regarding real estate matters, and was able to handle my case efficiently, and effectively. I would absolutely use Taylor again, as well as refer to anyone in need of an excellent Attorney.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Nelly romo
I recently engaged the services of Mr. MARCUS for my child’s case and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations set by other reviews. While I appreciate Mr. MARCUS's expertise in the field, I felt that the representation provided was not aligned with my child’s best interests, which was concerning and disappointing. It seemed there was a bias that did not favor a fair outlook for my child's situation. I would encourage Mr. MARCUS to ensure that the representation of all parties' interests, especially those of minors, is balanced and fair in future cases. This feedback is intended to be constructive and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
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13 Nov, 2023 by Erkin boy
Excellent Service ! If you want your ticket to be dismissed, I'd recommend Aaron Fontana !!! Thank you for all !
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23 Mar, 2023 by Eduardo meza
Kann California Law Group is fantastic! They kept me abreast of every step of my case and were very professional. Aaron, my attorney, took the time to listen and understand my situation and was very polite. So, thanks. Job well done.
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14 Apr, 2024 by Cinn martin
This is actually the 2nd time I use David Chesleys services, and both times they helped me out so much. Process went smoothly and they were always in touch. I would definitely recommend.
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06 Apr, 2024 by John r
I recently found myself in the unfortunate position of having to navigate a DUI arrest in Santa Clarita. I reached out to the law office of David Chesley. The law office assigned Negin Akhavan Esq. to my case. Ms. Akhavan reached out immediately to introduce herself, discuss my situation and next steps. I felt very confident that Ms Akhavan would advocate for me and would have my best interests in mind. From my initial court hearing until the recent resolution of my situation, Ms. Akhavan was very professional, kept me fully informed of all my options, and answered every question I had. Based on my observations of Ms. Akhavan in court, It was obvious that she is very well respected by the judge and the prosecutor. I thank Ms. Akhavan and the Law Offices of David Chesley for their representation.
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13 Oct, 2023 by Neal siniakin
Attorney David Pietrowski has great expertise.He provided me with succinct, clear, information, answered all of my questions, shared links for greater edification, His immediate response to an urgency was greatly appreciated. I live in a state with very different Landlord-Tenant Laws, than those in California. With it being essential to be in compliance, fair with my tenants, and fair to me, I appreciated, and will continue to use David’s legal services.
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31 Jul, 2024 by L v
I recently used Y&W services for a family law matter. The firm was very respectful and responsive to all aspects of my case. Mr. Young was very gracious and offered a creative solution to meet my needs and I was very appreciative of his efforts. I highly recommend the firm. Luisa
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02 Mar, 2024 by Michele clow
Rand Pinsky is the most human lawyer I’ve ever spoken to. He was so helpful in providing me with the best information to help me with my issue. He’s as asset to his firm.
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02 Oct, 2023 by Nana kankam
I would highly recommend you look elsewhere for your legal needs, if my experience is any indication of this law firm’s professionalism and competency. I reached out to Donahue, Young & Williams after finding them via Google, reviewing Yelp reviews, and checking out their website. Everything seemed fine. I had an initial intake call where I explained my situation and what I was generally looking for. I promptly received a legal services agreement, signed it, sent over the agreed upon deposit, and also took the time to compile relevant documentation, as requested by Kaylee. By promptly, I mean within three days. Kaylee and Sherry nearly immediately confirmed receipt of payment and documents, and all seemed well - I was confident that I was dealing with a professional and attentive law firm, and looked forward to getting robust advice. I expected this in a relatively timely fashion, as discussed and confirmed during my initial call. 2+ weeks, and 5 calls/emails later, I emailed to ask if someone could take just a few minutes to write back and give me a sense of when I should expect any feedback/insight/etc. This was a relatively simple landlord/tenant issue, and I’d provided well organized information for their review. Taylor Williams-Moniz, the attorney assigned to my case, emailed me, claiming that her office had called me several times (they had not), and tersely stating that though I wanted an email (I actually just wanted a response rather than radio silence), she needed to have a phone call. I wrote back confirming my phone number and asking if she could ensure they’d been calling me as I had to record of said calls, and also suggested a five hour window of availability for the next business day. No response. I had to follow up again in order to get a response from her legal assistant. To make a long and frustrating story short, Taylor Williams-Moniz was very nice when I spoke to her, but couldn’t adhere to deadlines she herself set. Melody Dosch was unfortunately not much more helpful than Taylor - and in general I found the law firm to be not extremely well versed on the law (in one instance, Melody told me she would have to get back to me as to whether my unit was covered under a common law that I was able to discover as a layperson, and which should be been considered in the legal advice granted prior to my question), then proceeded to go on vacation and refuse to put her perspective in writing until I followed up repeatedly and insistently. Mark Younger was also very nice, but also totally missed a call we had scheduled with no prior notice. I also never felt like they advocated for my position or were particularly proactive and believe they misrepresented my actions to my landlord’s counsel (to my detriment). And obviously, I really didn’t appreciate having to agitate for a response from them over and over again. I’d strongly recommend you look elsewhere, as it seems they have a burgeoning habit of playing attentive to get clients to sign, and then deteriorate from there. I also have strong questions on their expertise (at least on landlord/tenant issues) and have some ethical questions about their willingness to give advice without a seemingly thorough understanding of applicable laws.
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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.