what questions to ask an real estate client lawyer

5 questions to ask a real estate attorney

1. How long have you been practicing? Before you hire an attorney, it is helpful to determine how much real-life legal...
2. How many cases like mine have you handled? Not all real estate matters are created equal. Ask if the attorney has...
3. How would you handle my case? It’s not out of line to ask an attorney for a brief...

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What questions should I ask a realtor?

Oct 01, 2019 · You do not have to use every question, or every category of questions. A. About you 1. Where do you fit in your family-of-origin’s birth order? 2. How did you obtain your wealth? 3. Have you ever...

What to expect from a real estate lawyer?

Apr 09, 2015 · Not all conflicts automatically disqualify potential counsel, but you must be fully aware of and understand the nature of the conflict before deciding whether to hire a lawyer in spite of it. Case Evaluation. Ask a few questions about the lawyer's view of your case or situation. Five: What are the likely outcomes in my case?

How to find the best real estate lawyer?

Here are some critical questions you should ask when you meet with an estate attorney in the wake of a loved one’s death. Is the Previous Power of Attorney Still Valid? You may have had a power of attorney for the loved one who has just died, and you may erroneously believe that the power of attorney is still in force.

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Oct 22, 2021 · The top 15 real estate questions to ask when selling a house 1. How do I prepare my home before I sell it? When preparing to sell your home, the first thing to do is make it presentable. This means giving the entire house a thorough cleaning and making small repairs. Mop the floors, scrub the bathrooms, and get rid of all the grime in the kitchen.

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...•Jan 29, 2017

What do lawyers do for clients?

meeting clients, finding out their needs and establishing how to help; researching relevant areas of law and advising clients of their options; drafting letters, contracts and other legal documents; and. acting on behalf of clients in negotiations and representing them at tribunals or in court.Aug 23, 2021

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

What are the things to consider when planning an estate?

When building an estate plan, you may have a variety of concerns, including the following: Maintaining an orderly administration of assets while you are living. Ensuring that your heirs and loved ones receive your assets. Helping to reduce or avoid conflicts and confusion.

How can estate attorneys help with dementia?

Estate attorneys should help clients fiscally prepare for the possibility of disability or dementia by drawing up powers of attorney , healthcare directives, and living wills .

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 ...

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 make sure assets are managed prudently?

Overall, it forces individuals to contemplate fiscal matters that will occur while they are living and after their own deaths. It's thus extremely important to make sure assets are managed prudently and that next generational family members will receive inheritances, without incident.

Is an estate attorney a tax advisor?

While an estate attorney's expertise may overlap with these fields, they may not be a general tax expert or investment advisor. Give yourself enough time to gain a broader, big-picture perspective on your estate plan and the logistical practicalities of implementing it.

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.

Why do lawyers do due diligence?

However, there have been cases of lawyers who provide low quality work or abbreviated due diligence either because of inexperience or lack of motivation because of the discounted fee they are charging. Sometimes, a lawyer may try to cut corners because of the heavy workload he or she is facing.

What happens if a paralegal shows up at closing?

Just remember, if a paralegal shows up to represent you at closing, you will be at a disadvantage in all likelihood versus your counter party who has their lawyer there. Your counter party’s lawyer will be significantly more experienced and senior versus the paralegal and you will most likely lose on every item of contention.

Why do lawyers cut corners?

Sometimes, a lawyer may try to cut corners because of the heavy workload he or she is facing. You will need to discern this for yourself when interviewing a real estate attorney to see if he or she is currently very stressed out over having too much work.

Why is the field of law so complex?

That’s because the field of law is so complex that the experts in each niche generally focus solely on their sector. There is simply too much depth of knowledge and competition in law for a lawyer to be simultaneously an expert in multiple fields!

What does it mean when you buy a condo in NYC?

If you’re buying a condo or co-op in NYC, that means they will review the building’s financial statements, board minutes and original offering plan. They will review and negotiate the purchase contract on your behalf and order and review a title report or coop lien search.

Is title insurance a closing cost in New York City?

As you may recall from your research on NYC closing costs, title search and title insurance are some of the biggest closing costs in New York City! Therefore, it is entirely possible for a lawyer to charge a low rate for their services because they are making much more money from the title company.

Can a real estate attorney be a litigator?

Be especially careful if your real estate attorney is also a litigator. If they litigate they will need to attend court often, and in court they absolutely cannot be checking their smartphones and responding to your file. Litigators will typically be completely unavailable in the mornings and early afternoons when they are in court.

What to do when asking lawyer interview questions?

The best thing you can do when asking your lawyer-client interview questions during your initial consultation is just listen. This is the time when the client should be doing most of the talking. Follow client communication best practices and try to avoid cutting them off or filling in pauses.

What to do after reviewing client file?

Once you’ve reviewed the client’s file, prepare your questions for the client, and take some time to anticipate questions that the client may have for you. We’ll discuss more on what answers (for clients) lawyers should prep for before the interview below.

Why is client interview important?

The client interview is part of your overall client intake process, so it’s important to track it for efficiency and ensure that no potential clients get missed. If you’re using online client intake software, you can easily track and see a potential client’s status in stages (for example, “needs a follow up”).

How to conduct a conflict check?

Conduct a thoughtful pre-screen and conflict check 1 Pre-screen: Before you book the interview, have a set pre-screening process. Ask for basic information (for example, via an intake questionnaire) to help you decide if the client may (or may not) be a fit for your firm. You can make this process simpler for the client by using an online intake forms tool, like Clio Grow. 2 Conflict check: You’ll also want to do a conflict check before proceeding to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or other reasons that will prevent you from working with someone. Here again, an online intake tool can make this easier for you and the client. Clio Grow, for example, can be part of a robust conflict check process.

What should be the first step in a client interview?

Review the client’s file. The initial client interview should be for asking questions, not for learning basic client details. Before the interview, ask for any relevant information and documents so you can review them in advance.

How to make a client feel comfortable?

You may deal with the law every day, but pursuing a legal issue can be stressful, draining, and even scary for potential clients. With this in mind, do your best to be emotionally sensitive and make them feel as at ease as possible.

Is it bad to not show up for an interview?

Especially if you’ve taken the time to thoroughly prepare for the interview, there’s nothing worse than a no-show. While some no-shows are unavoidable, often a simple confirmation email and a reminder can ensure your potential client makes the meeting.

What is the most important skill in estate planning?

Among the most important skills of an estate or financial planner is the ability to know the client, to understand who the client is, where that client stands in relation to the objectives (stated or unstated, realized or subconscious) he/she may have, and what things have to be done to move the client closer to the realization of these goals.

Is estate planning a parallel process?

The processes of engagement, data gathering, understanding, and assessment are actually parallel processes.

Can an estate planner improve interviewing skills?

The good news indeed is that, like technical estate planning knowledge, nearly every estate planner can learn and continuously improve their interviewing skills. If psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers can organize, study, teach and learn interviewing skills tailored to their respective helping professions, ...

What should a lawyer review with their clients before trial?

Every lawyer should review with their clients the possibility of a negotiated resolution prior to trial. In criminal matters, for example, you may be able to get a good plea bargain. In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation, a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

How to discuss case strategy?

In discussing case strategy, your lawyer should give you an estimate of how much time it will take to get to a resolution. Keep in mind that your lawyer does not control the pace of the process and cannot make any promises about when it will be over.

How to contact an estate attorney in Arizona?

Call Arizona Estate Attorney Dave Weed at (480)426-8359 to discuss your case today.

What to do if you are unsure about your taxes?

If you are unsure about the tax situation, you should contact the person who handled returns for the deceased. They should have copies of past tax returns, and they should be up to speed on any outstanding audits, tax debts or other issues. The days and weeks following the death of a loved one can seem like a blur.

What happens if assets are less than debts?

If the assets in the estate are less than the debts and tax obligations, those debts do not become the responsibility of the loved ones left behind. Unfortunately, many people do not understand this, and they end up paying off debts for which they have no financial or legal responsibility.

What to expect after a loved one dies?

The days and weeks following the death of a loved one can seem like a blur. The grieving process is difficult enough, but there will also be a funeral to plan, relatives to notify and financial issues to handle . Meeting with an estate attorney as soon as possible can ease your burden and make a difficult time easier to bear.

What happens if you don't open a probate estate?

If you fail to open a probate estate, you could be liable for taxes and other claims. Even if you do not think a probate estate is necessary, it is important to discuss your options with an experienced estate attorney.

What is the best way to protect assets after a loved one dies?

The best way to protect the assets is to open the estate right away.

Do debts disappear when someone dies?

There is a great deal of confusion about how debts are handled when an individual dies. Some people think that these debts simply disappear when the debtor dies, but that is not always the case. While some debts are forgiven on death, others follow the deceased and become part of the estate. The good news is that the family members ...

How long does it take to sell a house?

On average, a house takes between 55 and 70 days to sell. That includes 25 days on the market and 30 to 45 days for closing. The exact time it takes to sell a home depends on a few things, including: The time of year you’re listing: Homes tend to sell faster in the spring and early fall.

What is a home buyer rebate?

With a home buyer rebate, the real estate agent or broker shares a percentage of the payment they receive at closing with you, so you get some of your money back.

Why is the market value of a home higher than the assessed value?

That’s because buyers are willing to pay more than the home is technically worth because of low inventory.

What is the average cost of a home in 2021?

During the first three months of 2021, the average cost of a home in the U.S. was $403,600.

Can I use a flat fee MLS to sell my home?

This allows them to list your home on all of the major listing sites. If you’re selling your home on your own, you can use a flat-fee MLS company to get your home in the database and even post your listing to all the top real estate websites. 12.

What to focus on in a real estate interview?

Much of your real estate interview is likely to focus on your previous selling experience, your training and skills and the techniques you employ when helping clients find their new home or property. Here are common questions you may encounter at a real estate interview:

How to show interest in a real estate job?

Arrive on time. Being prompt to the interview can show that you have excellent time management skills and are dependable and respectful of others’ time . Dress professionally. As a real estate professional, you are likely to dress in business casual or business professional ...

What is social media in real estate?

Social media is a common way real estate agents sell homes. This is where potential buyers are looking to find houses, so having experience with these networks is essential. You can answer this question by talking about how you make sure all listings are online with thorough information.

What is selling property?

Selling property is one of the primary roles of a real estate agent. Your answer shows what your experience is in the industry. This answer is your chance to demonstrate how many homes you have sold and what type they were. Even if you have not sold a large number of homes yet due to being new in the industry, you can always highlight the positive aspects and talk about the most impressive examples you have.

Before The Lawyer-Client Interview

• Conduct a thoughtful pre-screen and conflict check
  As our guide to client intake for law firms explains, an important part of an effective client intake processis to take steps to ensure that a potential client is a good fit before moving forward. Not every legal issue will be a good fit for you, your practice area, workload, and firm size. But that’s …
• Review the client’s file
  The initial client interview should be for asking questions, not for learning basic client details. Before the interview, ask for any relevant information and documents so you can review them in advance.

See more on clio.com

What Lawyer-Client Interview Questions Should You Ask Potential Clients?

What Answers to Client Questions Should Lawyers Prepare for?

Conducting The Lawyer-Client Interview

Conclusion