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12 May, 2019 by Elizabeth
Florentina was very helpful, knowledgeable, and accurate with her suggestions and advice. She had a lot of insight. Knew a lot about immigration and family law. I would recommend without hesitation her services. Her partner was also very friendly and easy to talk to.
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12 Mar, 2017 by Cristina
Senior Citizens... A new Management Company took over the building we have been living in for over 41 years and started pretty much harassing all the Senior Citizens and all Tenants that have had rent stabilized and rent controlled apartments. At first, I tried handling this in the Housing Court myself back in September. 2016, when this all started after they purchased the building in August 2016. To no avail and after 6 trips to the Courthouse myself and being taken for a ride by their lawyers, I decided it was time in November to hire a lawyer. This is when I found Florentina. From the very first hello on the phone she was so pleasant, concerned and promised she would help and not to worry. She got right on to everything, called their lawyer and counseled us every day via phone and email numerously, to ensure we were at ease at all times. When we first met her in Court back in November 2016, she was with us from 9am-4pm as their lawyer decided to play games and play the system to their advantage. Florentina did not stand for it at all. She took total control and filed the proper paperwork for a new court hearing in front of the judge, along with a complaint for repairs which they refused to fix. We went back to Court in Dec. 2016 and again in front of the Judge on Jan. 2017 and by Feb 17th, everything was settled in our favor. She made the judge see that we (my parents were taken advantage of and made it a point to show the landlord and new owner that she was not going to stand for it and will protect the rights of my parents, senior citizens until the very end). I cannot begin to tell all of you what a load off my shoulders Florentina took. She took care of my parents like they were her own. In Court she never left our side and she was in constant contact throughout keeping me in the loop and informed of all steps we would take. She fought like a real true honest lawyer should. I did not believe there were such honest lawyers left ... that is why I tried on my own to help my parents, because I was afraid, but at the end of the day I was not a lawyer and was afraid I would hurt them. Once I met Florentina, I knew they, WE were in the best of hands. I strongly recommend her, but most important, I cannot thank her enough and remain eternally grateful, for the simple fact that she was honest, trustworthy, compassionate and continues to follow-up with us to make sure that all still is well. If that is not DEVOTION, I don't know what is.
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17 Feb, 2017 by Vincent
Florentina Nica is and has been a saving grace in all our interactions in court for us and our clients. She is always on point and never ever leaves a stone unturned.Follow-up is one of the best I have ever seen. My Father was an Attorney and so is my daughter and Florentina has the same work ethic that he had and my daughter has. Very well pleased.She knows her stuff.Couldn't wish for a more efficient and knowledgeable Attorney if I tried.One could not do better than Florentina.
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11 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
We were glad we worked with Jim. He went above and beyond to help make the process easier for us. He is a gruff and could improve his customer service skills, but he was professional with others and that's what matters. We were charged more than we were originally quoted, but we did have a sale that seemed simple but ended up being complicated. I wished he would have been more up front about the additional costs, but he did speak with us in advance of his bill. We would work with him again.
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28 Apr, 2018 by Maria
I would like to say I was very please with the outcome of my personal injury no fault case Mr. Linares handled for me. He made everything very clear to me in the process of the case. I would reccomend him to anyone looking for a lawyer after being involved in an accident.
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31 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
Do not waste your time. We hired him for the closing of our house. There was an open water bill and that day when we were closing, we were concerened over it and were told that there was money ($20,000) in escrow for the open water bill. Fast forward to ten months later and I get billed for almost 15k. Tried contacting him, as per the DEP and he told us that he was not going to help us and that it isn't his problem. There were other issues with the house regarding his lack of diligence, but this is the most significant one (most costly one). Steer clear of this man.
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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:
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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.
