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Note to the teacher:
The following activity is meant to be used as a stand-alone lesson, but it can also be incorporated into a larger unit on lawyers and legal issues. For instance, students can discuss criteria they will use in choosing which lawyers to work with, or they can role-play interactions with lawyers so that they will make well-educated and informed decisions about which professionals they want to work with in the future.

 
Tools for Teachers

Handout: The Lawyer

Shelley Emmer, New York Association for New Immigrants, New York, NY

You can find a real estate lawyer* (don’t use any other kind when you are purchasing a house) by doing the following:

  • Asking your real estate agent
  • Asking a mortgage lender
  • Calling the local bar association
    (ask for real estate specialists)
  • Using word of mouth

Before you hire the lawyer, ask questions:

  • Do your fees cover the entire process of home buying,
    including reviewing documents?
  • Are your fees hourly?
  • Do your fees include the closing?

Likely charge: between $200 and $750 or more depending on your neighborhood and which part of the country you live in (e.g., New York City will be more expensive).

* In most states, you don’t have to have a lawyer, but it’s a good idea for first-time buyers. The only exception to this rule is on the West Coast, where it is unnecessary for lawyers to be part of the home-buying transaction because the mortgage insurance company ensures that all the documents are in order. However, especially for immigrants and first-time home buyers, it is recommended that in all other parts of the country, new home buyers work with a real estate lawyer, especially if a condominium or co-op is being purchased.

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