how to get ready when meeting a real estate lawyer

by Prof. Domenica Hahn 7 min read

Before meeting with your real estate attorney, verify whether the consultation will be free of charge. Generally speaking, legal consultations are free. Additionally, you should prepare for the consultation by gathering any documentation you have related to your real estate dispute.

How To Prepare for Your First Estate Planning Appointment
  1. Fill out your attorney's intake questionnaire. ...
  2. Gather your financial documents. ...
  3. Bring copies of your current estate plan documents. ...
  4. Divorce agreements, premarital agreements, and other relevant contracts. ...
  5. Choose your executors and health care agents.
Mar 29, 2019

Full Answer

What should I do before meeting with my real estate attorney?

Before meeting with your real estate attorney, verify whether the consultation will be free of charge. Generally speaking, legal consultations are free. Additionally, you should prepare for the consultation by gathering any documentation you have related to your real estate dispute.

What does a lawyer want to know when meeting you?

In addition to learning about you and hearing your narrative, your lawyer will also want to see documents and evidence, both for informational purposes and to help assess the strength of your case. Regardless of the type of legal matter, your lawyer will want to know who you are and how to contact you.

When to hire a real estate attorney for a dispute?

If you are facing any sort of real estate dispute, whether it involves a contract dispute or something else, you should consult with a local real estate attorney as soon as possible. Real estate disputes often involve many different branches of law, as well as federal and state laws.

What should I bring to my first meeting with a lawyer?

You should bring a list of people who may be witnesses or defendants in the case. If, for example, the lawyer or the lawyer's firm represents anyone on the other side of the fence, he or she will have a conflict and probably won't be able to represent you.

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How do I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

How do you prepare to talk to a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•

Will preparation questions?

5 Questions An Attorney Will Ask When Drafting A WillWhat Do You Hope To Achieve With A Will? ... What Is Your Family Situation? ... What Assets Do You Own? ... Where Do You Want Your Assets To Be Distributed? ... Who Will Be Responsible For Your Estate?

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

How should I dress to meet a lawyer?

The standard attire for meeting with you lawyer should be business casual. Wear dress pants, a nice shirt or top. Women should wear a conservative dress or skirt. Nothing too revealing.

What do you say when you first call a lawyer?

0:041:20What To Say When You Call An Attorney - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKnow kind of ballpark.MoreKnow kind of ballpark.

Does my lawyer have to do what I say?

An attorney must always do what they say they will in a prompt and timely manner as unreasonable delay may adversely affect the outcome of your case.

What are good estate planning questions?

Common questions about estate planningWhat makes up my estate? ... Who needs estate planning? ... What makes up a well-designed estate plan? ... If I have a living trust, do I still need a will? ... What is probate? ... Is probate a concern only for those with large estates? ... What is a trust? ... What Is a Revocable Living Trust?More items...

Do and don'ts of making a will?

Ten Do's and Don'ts for Writing Your Will1.) Don't put it off. ... 2.) Don't get lost in the weeds. ... 3.) Don't bestow honors. ... 4.) Do name alternates. ... 5.) Don't let the choice of alternates bog you down. ... 6.) Do express your wishes for charities and friends. ... 7.) Don't think that other documents or statements will suffice. ... 8.)More items...•

What should you include in your will?

Here are the items that you absolutely can and should include in your Will:Your basic personal information.Legal language that declares testamentary intent.Your appointed executor.Your appointed guardian for any pets or minor children.A list of your property and named beneficiaries (with certain exceptions)

What should I include in a law meeting?

Subjects should include: Names and contact information for all involved parties, including realtors, attorneys, inspectors, appraisers, sellers, buyers, landlords, tenants and lenders.

What are the legal issues in real estate?

Real estate lawyers deal with a wide range of legal issues related to land and structures. Topics include real estate purchases and sales; leases; landlord and tenant issues; conflict resolution, including negotiation, arbitration, mediation and litigation; transfers and gifting; fiduciary duty; condemnation; construction issues; environmental issues; zoning and land use ; taxation and assessments; valuation; title problems; condominiums and cooperatives; time shares; easements; insurance; deed, contract and other document drafting; farm and other rural land matters; mortgages and other financial issues; representation before government agencies; compliance with anti-discrimination and accessibility laws; and many more.

What are some examples of real estate documents?

Examples of important real estate documents include: Correspondence from government agencies, officials and any other relevant parties.

What to know before meeting with a lawyer?

Before you get too far into a meeting or conversation, the lawyer will want to know about any possible conflicts of interest that might prevent him or her from ethically representing you.

What do lawyers want to see?

In addition to learning about you and hearing your narrative, your lawyer will also want to see documents and evidence, both for informational purposes and to help assess the strength of your case. Obviously, the nature of the evidence will vary dramatically from one type of case to another. As you prepare to meet with your lawyer, try ...

What are the goals of a lawyer?

Typical goals might include: review and provide comments on a contract or legal document. draft a will.

What to include in a dispute narrative?

Some important details to include in that narrative include: names of the key players in your dispute. date the dispute or problem began. type of the dispute (harassment, contract, divorce) key events of your dispute, including a "who, what, where, when and why" narrative, and. current status of your dispute.

What documents are used to dispute a contract?

contracts (such as employment agreements , leases, promissory notes, and the like) financial documents (for example, if you'll be drafting a will or starting a company) correspondence (letters, emails, or text messages between you and the other party or otherwise relevant to your dispute)

How to respond to a legal complaint?

respond to a legal complaint, lawsuit, or threatening letter. research whether you have a meritorious legal claim against another person or entity. draft a legal complaint or demand letter to another person or entity, or. negotiate a lease, contract, or other agreement.

Why is it important to prepare for a first consultation?

In short, preparation for your first consultation meeting is critical. Strong preparation will save time and money. It will also ensure that all of your questions are answered, and that your attorney has all the information needed in order to effectively represent you.

What to bring to a lawyer meeting?

What Should I Bring? 1 A pen and pad of paper or the electronic equivalent! In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. 2 A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which they then forget to ask when sitting face to face with their attorney. Write these questions down ahead of time, to make sure you get every query answered while you're sitting there. 3 A check for the initial consultation fee, if your attorney charges one. This should be discussed ahead of the meeting. Nothing gets a lawyer-client relationship off on the wrong foot faster than forgetting to make your first payment. Presenting that fee immediately shows that you're taking the relationship seriously. 4 Any documents relevant to your case. If, for example, you are negotiating a lease and want the lawyer to review it, you should obviously bring a copy of the draft lease. If possible, make multiple copies of each document you give to your lawyer, so that you can take a set back home. (Or you can ask the lawyer's office to make the copies, but you'll likely be charged at premium rates for those.)

What is an initial meeting with an attorney?

An initial meeting with your attorney is important, not just for exchanging information about your case, but also for building rapport and trust. Commonly, you will first have a short phone call with the lawyer, who will then ask to meet you in person. If you aren't yet certain you plan to use this lawyer, ...

What to write in a conversation with an attorney?

In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which they then forget to ask when sitting face to face with their attorney.

What happens if you don't hire a lawyer?

Be honest. Remember that, even if you do not end up hiring the lawyer, everything you tell him or her during your meeting is generally subject to the attorney-client privilege. (The biggest exception to this, not surprisingly, is if you tell your lawyer that you are going to commit a crime, which information the lawyer may be duty-bound ...

Is honesty good for a lawyer?

In most cases, honesty is in your best interest. Lawyers seldom see cases that are cut and dried, with one party completely the "good guy.". It 's much better for the lawyer to know any bad news up front than to be surprised later with revelations you failed to share.

Should I hire an attorney at the end of a meeting?

By the end of your meeting, you should leave with a clear understanding of what you've accomplished and what's ahead. Remember, you are under no obligation to hire a particular attorney merely because you had an initial meeting.

Can you bring a copy of a draft lease?

If, for example, you are negotiating a lease and want the lawyer to review it, you should obviously bring a copy of the draft lease. If possible, make multiple copies of each document you give to your lawyer, so that you can take a set back home.

Do you need identification to be a real estate lawyer?

For real estate lawyer appointments as a buyer or seller you need identification. To represent you, the lawyer must obtain basic information about you in order to be compliant with the Rules of the Alberta Law Society. The information the lawyer must gather is as follows:

Can a lawyer represent you on a mortgage?

Typically, if you are getting a mortgage to finance the purchase of your new home your lawyer will also be retained by a lender. For the lawyer to represent you and the lender, you will have to provide the lawyer with consent to so as required by Alberta Law Society Rules. You should be aware that no information will be treated as confidential between the parties. Further if an issue between you and the lender cannot be resolved, the lawyer will be unable to represent either party.

Do I need a lawyer for a void cheque?

You will be told about this one. Even though you may have given your mortgage broker a void cheque already, your lawyer may need one too. It is a requirement of many lenders for direct withdrawal of your mortgage payments. If you do not have a cheque to void, then you will have to go to your bank and get a pre-authorized payment form. Most lenders will want your bank to stamp this form with their teller stamp.

How to sell a house quickly?

If you are looking to sell your home quickly: find your deed, your old title policy, any surveys you’ve completed and a recent mortgage statement. You should also decide what timeline you are on and how eager you are to sell the property. This may involve some discussion with your significant other or siblings if you inherited a home.

Can you sell a house quickly if you inherited it?

This may involve some discussion with your significant other or siblings if you inherited a home. If you need to sell a home quickly, you’ll want to price it more competitively. Right now housing inventories are so constrained that it’s not difficult to sell a home quickly, at full price.

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