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Lawyer cost for failed deal due to board rejection

Started by zippybrown
over 13 years ago
Posts: 11
Member since: Oct 2010
Discussion about
At the closing for the sell of my coop, my lawyer asked me to pay a bill that was 50% more than our agreed amount. This was for the work she did on an earlier contract for a buyer that ultimately failed to pass the board. Is this level of charge a fair amount? The contract was rather boiler plate, and was very similar to the the second contract that sold the apt.
Response by huntersburg
over 13 years ago
Posts: 11329
Member since: Nov 2010

How much $?

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Response by 300_mercer
over 13 years ago
Posts: 10553
Member since: Feb 2007

seems fair as she had to work with two buyers and negotiate two contracts. Since contracts are similar, 50% discount. What it she had asked you for her fee once the first buyer did not pass?

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Response by 300_mercer
over 13 years ago
Posts: 10553
Member since: Feb 2007

Also, since the personal real estate contracts are so boiler plate, that is why the cost is only 2-3K. For a complex commercial agreement, you would pay at least $500 an hour.

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Response by renterjoey
over 13 years ago
Posts: 351
Member since: Oct 2011

What was the time frame between the failed closing and you getting a new buyer. During that time frame why didn't your lawyer send you the bill? Could it be that since you had your checkbook out at closing it wouldn't hurt to ask you for more by bringing that up now. Will you do business with this lawyer again?

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Response by Ottawanyc
over 13 years ago
Posts: 842
Member since: Aug 2011

Seems more or less fair. You could ask her to itemize what work she did on the first transaction, as it may work out to more than $500 an hour.

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Response by gcondo
over 13 years ago
Posts: 1111
Member since: Feb 2009

I like the way lawyers dont talk money until the work is done. Seems forthright and fair.

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Response by REMom
over 13 years ago
Posts: 307
Member since: Apr 2009

Seems fair.

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Response by JButton
over 13 years ago
Posts: 447
Member since: Sep 2011

I thought lawyer contracts state that half is payable upfront and covers everything until closing and half at closing if that happens, ie. if not you dont pay for the second half.

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Response by zippybrown
over 13 years ago
Posts: 11
Member since: Oct 2010

Thank you for the response! The reason of my post is to see whether I should use the same lawyer for purchasing again. I was a bit surprised by the amount of the extra cost, since we never discussed it until we were at the closing table. But I guess this is a fair charge, I will probably use this lawyer again, since all my emails and calls were promptly returned. It is perhaps fair to assume similar amount of charges will incur for future purchase contract review, when the deal does not go through.

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Response by drdrd
over 13 years ago
Posts: 1905
Member since: Apr 2007

Well, few people work for free.

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Response by ieb
over 13 years ago
Posts: 355
Member since: Apr 2009

I wouldn't puit up with that. There should have been a discussion started by your lawyer if not by you about the fee for that.

Sorry to be so candid but this is just plain poor form on both your parts.

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