what questions should i ask a realestate attorney

^{10 Questions You Should Ask a Potential Real Estate Lawyer}

1. How long have you practiced real estate law? This is an important question to ask because the more experience an attorney has in this specialty, the better. ...
2. What are your specialties within real estate law? Some lawyers focus their practice on certain aspects of real estate law. ...
3. How long have you been practicing in this state? Real estate laws may vary from one state to another. ...
4. Is their law degree from an accredited law school? This is an important question to ask, but you may want to do a little research on your own. ...
Does the attorney have skilled staff? Often, the staff of paralegals working for a real estate attorney does a lot of the legwork involved. ...
How much does the attorney cost for services rendered? It’s never a bad idea to compare the prices that a few of the certified and reputable real estate attorneys ...
Has the attorney handled cases that are similar to yours? This question is especially important if you’re dealing with a unique real estate case. ...
Will the attorney give you a cost estimate? As a consumer, you should be apprised of the average range of costs that you will incur by retaining a real ...
Will the attorney offer you a detailed action plan? You have the right to know how your attorney plans to handle your case. ...
Do I need an attorney for this type of transaction?

Full Answer

What questions should I ask a realtor?

Nov 19, 2021 · An attorney plays a vital role in real estate acquisitions, improvements, and management. When choosing an attorney to handle the legal components of your real estate business dealings, it helps to know what questions to ask.

What to expect from a real estate lawyer?

Jun 26, 2018 · You may also want to ask if they specialize in any particular area of real estate law. It’s also a good idea to find out where they earned their law degree and whether or not it’s an accredited school. If they attended law school in a different state, you should also ask how many years of experience they have practicing law in your state.

How to find the best real estate lawyer?

10 Questions You Should Ask a Potential Real Estate Lawyer 1. How long have you practiced real estate law? This is an important question to ask because the more experience an... 2. What are your specialties within real estate law? Some lawyers focus their …

Should I hire a real estate attorney?

Jun 29, 2021 · Here are several questions you should ask yourself: When meeting with a potential estate planning lawyer, how comfortable do you feel? …

What are some good questions to ask an attorney?

In Order to Move Forward With Any Lawyer, First Ask These Ten QuestionsHow Long Have You Practiced Law? ... What Types of Cases Do You Manage? ... Who's Your Typical Client? ... How Many Similar Cases Have You Taken On? ... What Kind of Special Training or Knowledge You Have Outside Your Law Degree? ... What Are Your Fees and Costs?More items...

What does a real estate attorney do for a buyer?

What Does A Real Estate Attorney Do? Real estate attorneys know how to, and are legally authorized to, prepare and review documents and contracts related to the sale and purchase of a home. In some cases, a real estate attorney is also the person who'll be in charge of your closing.4 days ago

How much do attorneys make?

Comparatively, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the national average annual remuneration of a lawyer is just below $145 000, approximately $12 000 monthly. With a 2019 national average income (all industries) of $68 703 annually and $5 725 monthly.Apr 19, 2021

Why do you need a real estate attorney?

Another reason to involve an attorney is when an individual is trying to sell a property with an uncooperative partner. Or sellers may have judgments or liens on the property, necessitating legal support. Hiring a real estate attorney for a business deal offers an added level of protection for both buyers and sellers.

How much does a real estate lawyer charge?

Most real estate lawyers charge by the hour, while some professionals charge a flat fee. Hourly fees range from $150 to $350; flat fees are often between $500 to $1,500. Legal fees can be negotiated.

What is real estate law?

Real estate law itself is a specialization. Law school students normally begin with taking elective courses and continue with real estate certification after law school. Ideally, the real estate lawyer will have earned a law degree from an accredited school. The professional might have attended law school in another state.

Who takes over the closing of a real estate transaction?

Once real estate agents settle the selling price and terms and contracts are signed, the real estate attorney takes over. The attorney reviews the contracts, negotiates repairs, makes adjustments in accordance with the terms of the deal, and may attend the closing.

Who is Allen Gabe Law?

Our lawyers assist homeowners as well as landlords, tenants, owners, and lenders.

Is it prudent to invest in a real estate attorney?

Real estate transactions can be complicated. When buying or selling real estate, it is prudent to invest in the services of a qualified real estate attorney. Upon an initial consult with a real estate attorney, plan on asking the legal expert a few important questions.

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Standard hourly fees range from $150 to $200, he says. For simple matters, you may be able to negotiate a price.

Who is Aaron Hall?

Before you hire an attorney, it is helpful to determine how much real-life legal experience he or she has, says Aaron Hall, a Minneapolis-based attorney with Twin Cities Law Firm LLC.

Can I ask an attorney for a brief overview of what he plans to do on my behalf?

It’s not out of line to ask an attorney for a brief overview of what he plans to do on your behalf, Hall says. In fact, it can help you determine which attorneys are knowledgeable about real estate law.

Is real estate a matter of equals?

Not all real estate matters are created equal. Ask if the attorney has dealt with transactions similar to yours. If he has, he will be better able to foresee potential problems and head them off, says Tim McFarlin, a real estate attorney with McFarlin & Geurts LLP in Irvine, Calif.

1. How long have you practiced real estate law?

This is an important question to ask because the more experience an attorney has in this specialty, the better. A more inexperienced real estate lawyer may have the best of intentions, but they have probably not had as much exposure to unique situations.

2. What are your specialties within real estate law?

Some lawyers focus their practice on certain aspects of real estate law. They may be well-qualified in one area, but not as experienced in another. If you’re planning to get into real estate investment, then you’ll want an attorney who is well versed in this area of real estate law.

3. How long have you been practicing in this state?

Real estate laws may vary from one state to another. If you’re familiar with what it takes to become a licensed real estate professional such as an agent or a broker, then you’ll know that the tests to become licensed are different among various states because the laws are different.

4. Is their law degree from an accredited law school?

This is an important question to ask, but you may want to do a little research on your own. The lawyer that you are considering should have a verifiable degree from an accredited law school. The attorney should also have passed the bar exam.

5. Does the attorney have skilled staff?

Often, the staff of paralegals working for a real estate attorney does a lot of the legwork involved. It’s a good idea to inquire about the staff and a good way to do this is to check customer reviews online. Find out about what other people have to say about the services they received.

6. How much does the attorney cost for services rendered?

It’s never a bad idea to compare the prices that a few of the certified and reputable real estate attorneys charge. You don’t want to end up paying more than you have to for legal services. While you usually get what you pay for, it doesn’t mean that you need to break the bank with the highest priced attorney in town.

7. Has the attorney handled cases that are similar to yours?

This question is especially important if you’re dealing with a unique real estate case. There are so many scenarios that can arise, that it’s wise to retain an attorney that is familiar with the type of situation you’re dealing with so they won’t miss any important details.

How to build an estate plan?

When building an estate plan, you may have a variety of concerns, including the following: 1 Maintaining an orderly administration of assets while you are living 2 Managing estate assets flexibly while you are living 3 Reviewing estates involving tenants in common or community property 4 Considering assets in multiple states 5 Examining small business assets 6 Naming your children’s legal guardian 7 Ensuring that your heirs and loved ones receive your assets 8 Helping to reduce or avoid conflicts and confusion 9 Minimizing legal expenses and taxes 10 Assessing wealth preservation

Why is it important to have an estate plan?

It's important to have a solid estate plan in place to ensure that your loved ones receive your assets without a hassle or undue delay after your death. There are many questions you should ask prospective estate-planning attorneys before hiring one to craft your estate plan. Above all, make sure you hire an attorney who demonstrates ...

Can a lawyer draw up a will?

Although any lawyer can draw up a simple will for straightforward situations, such as naming the beneficiary of one's 401 (k), seasoned trust-and-estate lawyers can help navigate more complicated situations involving several trusts and multiple heirs. 1:21.

What is an attorney who can answer this question well?

An attorney who can answer this question well is an attorney who is attuned not only to the legal challenges at hand, but also to the way clients think about them. They’ve also likely worked with clients like you. They’ll be able to provide context upfront that answers your questions before you find yourself confused by a complex legal issue or legal language.

How many bills has Jerry Brown signed?

California Gov. Jerry Brown recently completed acting on the 1,217 bills that came across his desk this year. He has signed 1,016 of them into law, with the majority taking effect...

Do attorneys quote hourly fees?

While most attorneys will quote you an hourly rate or a fixed fee upfront, it’s important that you understand what this quote does and does not cover. For instance, will you also be responsible for reimbursing the attorney for expenses, such as transportation?

Can an attorney give an estimate of how long each phase of a project will take?

Although unexpected challenges sometimes arise and cause deadlines to be pushed back, attorneys should be able to give an estimate of how long each phase of the project will take. Make sure that these estimates seem reasonable and fit with the timeline that you have in mind.

Is it difficult to get a complete picture of someone's personality?

No matter who you’re interviewing, it’s difficult to gain a complete picture of someone’s capabilities and personality over the course of an interview. This difficulty is compounded when you’re someone without a legal background who’s interviewing an attorney.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys are responsible for divulging any potential conflicts of interest, even if they are never directly asked a question about them. However, it’s usually not a bad idea to inquire about them yourself.

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the process of a civil case?

In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation , a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party. Other times, arbitration might be an option. Arbitration— using a private service to adjudicate a dispute—is a less formal, less costly, and faster way of getting a decision in some civil matters.

What is contingency fee?

In cases where you are suing for monetary damages, the lawyer may represent you for a “contingency fee.”. This means the attorney gets paid a portion (typically one-third) of the amount you receive after a successful trial or settlement. Make sure you discuss expenses as well as attorney fees.