how much does a lawyer charge for a deed in alabama

Full Answer

What do you need to know about Alabama property deeds?

Alabama Property Deeds. A deed is the instrument that transfers ownership of real property from one owner to another. It contains the names of the current owner (the grantor) and the new owner (the grantee), the legal description of the property, and is signed by the grantor. Transfers of real property must be in writing and notarized.

How much does it cost to file a deed?

“house” (CC BY 2.0) by deovolenti. On average, filing a deed on your own can cost anywhere from $30 to $150, while hiring a professional service and/or lawyer can cost upwards of $500, plus filing fee.

How much does probate cost in Alabama?

Our fees for Alabama probate services can very depending on the work involved. Fees for full representation typically start at around $2,500.00 for very simple estates. Fees for unbundled legal services can be less than $500.00. Contact us today for a no-obligation fee quote. Don’t Know Which Option is Right for You?

What is a warranty deed in Alabama?

An Alabama warranty deed conveys real property with warranty covenants to the buyer. It requires an acknowledgement of the grantor's signature. Transfer of property may also be done through a special or limited warranty deed or quitclaim deed.

How much does it cost to transfer property deeds in Alabama?

Unless an exception applies, a deed transfer tax must be paid when the deed is recorded (Alabama Code § 40-22-1). The amount of the Alabama deed transfer tax is $0.50 for every $500 of property value.

Who can prepare a deed in Alabama?

Most local attorneys can prepare a property deed in Alabama for you for a low flat rate. Our Shelby County property deed lawyers charge a flat fee to prepare one for you and can do it all online and get it to you very quickly to record with the Probate Court.

How do I get a deed to my house in Alabama?

If you have decided that you would like to receive a copy of a specific deed, all you need to do is visit the clerk's office in the appropriate county and request the deed using any or all of the data parameters listed previously, For example, if you have the address for a property whose deed you would like to review, ...

How do I file a deed in Alabama?

The type of deed depends on the situation and the title of the property. All deeds filed in Alabama must be met with the Grantor(s) signing in front of a notary public or two (2) witnesses along with the Real Estate Sales Validation (Form RT-1) to be completed when filing with the Probate County Judge's Office.

How is deed tax calculated in Alabama?

To basic document charges, add $. 50 per $500 or $1.00 per $1000 on value of property conveyed - charged in increments of $500. The amount of value conveyed is always rounded to the nearest $500. A $1.00 “no-tax” fee is charged on deeds that are tax exempt.

What is a quit claim deed Alabama?

An Alabama quitclaim deed is a document that transfers ownership of interest in a property from one party to another. The grantor (“seller”) will be the party that is giving their ownership interest and the grantee (“buyer”) will be the party that is paying or trading for said interest.

Who owns the title deeds to my property?

The title deeds to a property with a mortgage are usually kept by the mortgage lender. They will only be given to you once the mortgage has been paid in full. But, you can request copies of the deeds at any time.

How do you get a title deed?

How can I get a copy of my title deed? A copy of a title deed, for information purposes, is obtainable from any Deeds Office upon written application to the Registrar of Deeds and payment of the prescribed fee which changes from time to time.

How do you avoid probate in Alabama?

In Alabama, you can make a living trust to avoid probate for virtually any asset you own—real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and so on. You need to create a trust document (it's similar to a will), naming someone to take over as trustee after your death (called a successor trustee).

How much does it cost to record a deed in Alabama?

$16.00 for the 1st page plus $3.00 for each additional page. $1.00 “No Tax Collected” stamp on deeds, mortgages and leases where we do not collect tax.

What is a survivorship deed in Alabama?

In Alabama, survivorship deeds are sometimes used for ownership among multiple property owners. Following the death of one of the owners, a survivorship deed passes ownership on to the surviving owner automatically, by operation of law, without the need for probate.

What is a warranty deed in Alabama?

The Alabama warranty deed is a form of deed that provides an unlimited warranty of title. It makes an absolute guarantee that the current owner has good title to the property. The warranty is not limited to the time that the current owner owned the property.

Why do you need a warranty deed?

A warranty deed provides greater protection to the new owner because the current owner makes a promise he or she legally owns, and has clear title to, the real estate. Creating property deeds with LegalZoom is fast and affordable.

When are additional taxes and fees required?

Additional taxes and fees may be required by a governmental agency when the deed is recorded if the property transfer is not exempt (i.e. not spouse to spouse, parent to child, or grandparent to grandchild transfers).

Does LegalZoom offer Quitclaim deeds in Texas?

** LegalZoom does not offer Quitclaim deeds for properties located in Virginia. Instead, warranty deeds are available. Standard.

What is a warranty deed in Alabama?

A general warranty deed is used to transfer an interest in real estate in Alabama in most real estate transactions. An Alabama warranty deed conveys real property with warranty covenants to the buyer. It requires an acknowledgement of the grantor's signature.

What is a deed in real estate?

A deed is the instrument that transfers ownership of real property from one owner to another. It contains the names of the current owner (the grantor) and the new owner (the grantee), the legal description of the property, and is signed by the grantor. Transfers of real property must be in writing and notarized.

What is a special warranty deed?

When a special or limited warranty deed is used, the grantor only warrants that there are no title defects during the time the grantor owned the property. The special or limited warranty deed gives the grantee greater protection than a quitclaim deed and less protection than a full or general warranty deed.

What is a quitclaim deed?

A quitclaim deed transfers ownership interest of the grantor to the grantee without any warranties or guarantees that title is good or that the property is free of liens or claims. A quitclaim deed is used mostly in non-sale transactions such as transfers between spouses.

Why is a general warranty deed important?

It offers the best protection for the grantee because it guarantees that the title is good and marketable. The grantor promises the grantee that the grantor will defend the grantee from any all claims made by third parties. The general warranty deed contains the following provisions: Amount of consideration.

What is a deed of trust?

A deed of trust or trust deed is similar to a mortgage. Title is transferred to a trustee, which is usually a trust or title company that holds the real property as security for the borrower's loan. At the time the loan is paid in full, title is transferred to the borrower. The only powers that the trustee has is the power of sale if the borrower defaults. The trustee can then sell the property to pay off the lender at a foreclosure sale auction.

What is a grant deed?

Grant Deed. Grant deeds transfer ownership from the grantor to the grantee. The grantor promises that title has not been transferred previously and that there are not any encumbrances, other than those stated in the deed.

How much does it cost to transfer a deed?

How much does a deed transfer cost? On average, filing a deed on your own can cost anywhere from $30 to $150, while hiring a professional service and/or lawyer can cost upwards of $500, plus filing fee.

What is deed transfer?

Last Updated: August 7, 2018. A deed transfer is a process of transferring the ownership of a property from the legal owner to another party. This process is not limited to an individual as the term can also apply to transfer ownership of one business to another owner. Usually, you will need to perform a deed transfer if you want to ...

What is a quitclaim deed?

One type of deed transfer is a quitclaim deed, which is considered to be the most common type of deed transfer. Another type of deed transfer is the warranty deed, which includes some sort of responsibility for repairing breakdowns once the deed of the property has been transferred.

Do you need to do a deed transfer?

Usually, you will need to perform a deed transfer if you want to either remove someone’s name or change ownership. There are different types of deed transfers, and based on the terms of each, the price can be different.

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Attorney fees typically range from $100 to $300 per hour based on experience and specialization. Costs start at $100 per hour for new attorneys, but standard attorney fees for an expert lawyer to handle a complex case can average $225 an hour or more.

Why is legal aid more affordable?

Legal aid billing rates are more affordable if the law firm has a sliding-scale payment system so that people only pay for what they can reasonably afford. Seeking out fixed fees in legal aid agencies is the best option for those in desperate need who cannot otherwise pay for a lawyer.

How to avoid disagreements with your attorney?

Avoid disagreements with your attorney about how much you owe by taking the time to review your attorney fee agreement carefully. You may also hear this document called a retainer agreement, lawyer fee agreement or representation agreement. Either way, most states require evidence of a written fee agreement when handling any disputes between clients and lawyers. You must have written evidence of what you agreed to pay for anyone to hold you accountable for what you have or have not spent.

What is statutory fee?

A statutory fee is a payment determined by the court or laws which applies to your case. You'll encounter a fixed statutory fee when dealing with probate or bankruptcy, for example.

Do paralegals pay more than legal research?

For example, a court appearance often costs more than legal research time. Besides that, the same younger paralegals who may do the majority of research receive lower wages than senior associates who conduct interviews and present the case before a judge.

Do lawyers charge retainers?

Sometimes lawyers may charge a retainer if they find themselves in high demand. Other lawyers who work more quickly and efficiently may see no need for charging you a retainer fee. Call different lawyers in your area to see if retainers are standard practice for your particular case.

What happens if you file a quiet title lawsuit in Alabama?

In a quiet title lawsuit in Alabama, the action can help to remove any type of cloud that is on the title, usually due to situations in which the title's ownership is not well established or is unknown. In Alabama, once you file this lawsuit and the judge approves it, you will receive the title to ownership of the property. This quiets all other people that may challenge the title in the future.

What is a quiet title in Alabama?

A quiet deed, more commonly known as a quiet title, is a lawsuit filed within the court that helps to settle jurisdiction over property. In Alabama, a lawsuit may be brought to the court, only if the court that has jurisdiction over that land, by one party in order to solve real property disputes. In short, the lawsuit requests that the court establishes the person's title to the property to that person and against anyone else bringing claims against it.

2 attorney answers

I agree with Attorney McClanahan. Avvo profiles of individual Asheville-area attorneys would probably be your best indicator of what you might spend for such a service as you describe.

Brandon Alexander Robinson

I know this does not help much, but it would be hard to get a fee set in stone in a forum like avvo. I would look up attorney's on avvo and find someone with a good rating who is in your area. This would provide a better idea of probable fees.

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

While most attorneys charge a flat rate, some will charge by the hour, with hourly rates ranging from $150 to $350, according to Thumbtack.

Do you need a real estate attorney to close a house?

Some states require a real estate attorney for closing, while others don’t. In states that don’t require an attorney, it’s still a good idea to consider hiring one to help make sure everything is in good order. How much does a real estate attorney cost may factor into your decision-making given how many costs are associated with closing on a house .