Landlord tenant attorneys handle cases involving evictions, personal injury, property damage, and lease violations. Look for licensed attorneys through state bar associations or specialized law firms. Interview attorneys and verify their credentials before signing agreements. Low-income clients may qualify for free or low-cost representation through legal aid or ombudsman’s offices.
Landlord tenant attorneys work on cases involving evictions, personal injury, property damage, and lease violations. Although some law firms handle landlord tenant law exclusively, you may want to consider broadening your search. Law firms that specialize in real estate law, civil law, contracts, or civil litigation often have attorneys who are experienced in landlord tenant matters.
Start by looking for a landlord tenant attorney who is licensed in the state where the rental property is located. Each state’s bar association, as well as the American Bar Association, offers referral services for lawyers. Many of these referral services are freely available on the Internet and are searchable by area of practice. All lawyers identified through these searches are guaranteed to have valid licenses.
When speaking with a prospective landlord tenant attorney, be prepared to interview them about the legal process, as well as taxes and policies. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations to familiarize yourself with the legal process and determine whether you and the attorney are a good match. During your initial interview, outline the basic facts of your case and let the landlord’s tenant attorney know what kind of outcome you expect from the case. A good tenant attorney will answer your questions head-on and give an honest assessment of what you should expect in your case.
After interviewing prospective landlord tenant attorneys, verify their credentials by contacting the state bar association. The Bar Association can verify that the lawyer is currently licensed to practice in your jurisdiction and let you know if she has received any complaints against him or her. The association will also let you know if the lawyer has been censured for professional or criminal misconduct.
Once you locate a landlord tenant attorney you feel comfortable working with, get his or her rate card in writing before paying a down payment. Also, ask for a written draft of the company’s policies before signing any formal agreements. A reputable attorney should be willing to put all verbal agreements in writing and provide you with a copy at the end of the meeting.
If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider contacting legal aid and the ombudsman’s office. Qualifying low-income clients may be offered representation by an experienced landlord tenant attorney at no cost or for a variable fee. The attorneys offered through these organizations have the same professional credentials and licenses as tenant attorneys employed by private firms.
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