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22 Mar, 2024 by M setty
I highly recommend DPW Legal's services in the realm of copyright infringement and other intellectual property matters. Dineen Wasylik is extremely knowledgeable and is an effective communicator. Thank you, Dineen!
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18 Feb, 2024 by Stanislav parhomenco
Thank you very much for the help in resolving a difficult issue. The staff at DWP Legal are very professional; they were courteous, clear, and understanding, and the problem was resolved quickly and efficiently. I highly recommend them to everyone.
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24 Oct, 2023 by Emily bickell
I am very fortunate to have been referred to Ms. Wasylik. She took the time to understand my situation, and kept me informed and up to date while dealing with the opposing counsel. She was extremely empathetic and professional, and I felt completely confident that I could rely on her to resolve my issue - which she did, in an efficient way! Many thanks to her and her team. I would definitely recommend DPW Legal.
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05 Jan, 2025 by Carla kilgo
God bless you, my request to your office was fulfilled so quickly and efficiently. The cost was much lower than anything I was quoted by any other firm and I am now at peace thanks to you.
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13 Dec, 2024 by Jean josephson
Mr.Monsanto did a great job guiding us with our estate planning. Highly recommend!
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17 Oct, 2024 by Mary smiley
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04 May, 2021 by Barbara
If you like wasting your MONEY than you've come to the right lawyer. If that's what you eant to call him. This guy is one of the most ARROGANT people I have ever met. He is also incompetent. He brought no witnesses or evidence. Needless to say he lost our case. How he passed the bar examination is beyond me. Save your money. You would be better off representing yourself than have him do it.
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31 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Pratico for nearly three thousand dollars. For my money I received nothing but words of what a great case I had. My case involved the Health Dept. and a pest control company. It was crucial to my case that someone from both of these places would come to court the day my case was heard. They were the witnesses I needed to back up my case. Because Mr. Pratico never had a subpoena served to the Health Dept. or pest control company any evidence involving either one was not allowed to be heard in court that day. Without those witnesses there to cross exam the judge would not allow any evidence we had in writing to back up our case. We essentially had no case! I realized my case lacked competent REPRESENTATION due to the inability of Mr. Pratico not getting witnesses to court that day for our defense. I feel we paid nearly three thousand dollars for absolutely nothing! Not to mention that we now have to pay two thousand dollars for the lawyers fee for the other party involved. My complaint sounds very similar to another complaint filed against Mr. Pratico to the Florida Bar. The day our case was to be heard in front of the judge, Mr. Pratico sent another attorney on his behalf to represent us. That attorney was clearly inexperienced in court proceedings. The judge on numerous occasions had to direct this attorney. Every time this attorney asked me questions when I was on the witness stand pertaining to evidence from the Health Dept, the judge told me I couldn't talk about it since there was no from the Health Dept. to cross exam. It was one fumble after another. I was on the witness stand not knowing what I could or couldn't say! I felt totally lost. Of course we lost the case! Mr. Pratico said he couldn't be there that day to represent me because he had another case to represent. I waited nearly three years for this case to go to court. Evidently this case must not have been important enough for him to make time to represent me. Think long and hard about which lawyer you choose. Do your homework before choosing. I wish I would of. BEWARE.............
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28 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
***CAUTION!!! DO NOT RECOMMEND*** North Tampa Law Group (Brian Arrighi) was hired to serve as the closing agent on the sale of my property in 2023. I recv'd an email from Mr. Arrighi on 04/23/2023 stating he completed my title search & there were TWO mortgages that needed cared for - he further emailed me a copy of the FHA partial claim mortgage document. I completed & returned the required form to Mr. Arrighi authorizing him to pull the payoff information for EACH mortgage loan from said providers. The final closing documents received however, apparently only included ONE mortgage (it failed to include the FHA partial claim mortgage) . I only learned this when I received a letter from HUD stating that I owed them approx $13K. If the amount was not paid in full w/in 90 days I would be charged 32% interest (total now over $18K). After spending months trying to sort out the issue with HUD, & the mortgage companies it was determined the error was w/Mr. Arrighi. I reached out multiple times requesting we discuss the matter to reach a resolution to this extraordinary error that shows a clear failure of due diligence in financial matters. Mr. Arrighi told me there was nothing he could do, he was busy & ended our call. I contacted another law group & confirmed this was a failure to verify required tasks per the role assigned North Tampa law. Additionally, I received an email from Mr. Arrighi that was intended for another client of his that contained the PCI DSS financial tranx information for THREE INDIVIDUALS/CLIENTS. This firm has a serious pattern of failure to exercise diligence in client financial matters. I've continued to attempt to resolve this matter with this office only to have Mr. Arrighi accuse me of hanging up on him (this never happened). This office takes zero ownership of their mistakes. This issue has destroyed my good credit score amongst other significant and unrecoverable events. It is inexcusable for a title company of legal profession to conduct business in this manner and place their clients in jeopardous situations. I would not recommend using them.
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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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