What should I ask a real estate lawyer before I hire them?
Based on an interview with Josué Cristóbal Guerrero, Founding Partner, recorded .
The short answer
Start with this: do you try cases yourselves, or do you refer them out? Then ask how much of the firm's work is real estate litigation, whether they represent individuals rather than investors and banks, how they charge, and how long they expect your case to take.
Why would you have someone carry the ball to the 10 yard line and then have someone else entirely take it across the goal?
Do you try cases?
If a firm hands the case to someone else at trial, you end up paying a second attorney to get up to speed. And the way a case is prepared in discovery depends on knowing what a trial needs. Our attorneys conduct trials. Our founding partner, Josué Guerrero, has personally tried cases in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern and Ventura counties.
Is real estate what you do?
Real estate is high stakes, and mistakes in it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Greenacre Law is a firm of real estate litigators, and the trust, will and federal cases we take usually involve real estate too.
Do you represent people like me?
Ask who the firm's usual clients are. We represent regular people in regular disputes about real estate: ownership, rights and inheritance.
What will it cost, and how long will it take?
You should expect an actual estimate, with the caveats stated. We usually charge a flat fee, most matters cost about $5,000 to get started, and the average real estate case we handle lasts about ten months. We tell you what we think will happen so you can plan your life around the fight you are in.
This answer is general information about California law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Deadlines and exceptions turn on your facts.
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