Hiring a property tax attorney to challenge the assessment and lower a property tax bill could garner a smaller property tax bill in the future. Having a list of questions ready to ask, including how many property tax cases the attorney has handled in the past five years, what their process is, and how their fees work, can help clients seeking attorneys find the right fit.
How to Determine the Best Fit
Finding a list of property tax attorneys to contact can be done through family and friend referrals, or by conducting an online search to look at websites and online reviews. When reviewing the websites, there are some things potential clients can look for, including:
- Prior property tax experience: There are attorneys that specialize in this area of the law, and it should say so prominently on their websites. They should list some representative cases from the past few years that are specific to property tax law.
- Professional affiliations: The attorney may belong to professional organizations, especially those related to property tax.
- Grammar and spelling: If someone is not paying attention to detail on their website, chances are they won’t be on your paperwork.
- Information about tax or property law: Most attorneys not only have information about their services, but also feature a blog that provides a deeper level of understanding of property tax issues to their clients and prospective clients. This allows clients to stay up to date with what is happening in property law.
- Online reviews: This could include testimonials the attorney has on the website or from other online sources to see what previous clients have said about their experience.
Next, scheduling a consultation to make sure that a client feels comfortable with the attorney is ideal. For the consultation, clients should bring any documents requested—at the least a copy of a property tax assessment or appraisal.
Most property tax attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning the attorney won’t be paid unless there is money recovered. However, there are additional costs a client might have to still pay, such as filing fees. Before clients complete the consultation, they should be sure to ask for a referral, so they can talk directly to a past client about his or her experience.
We’re Here To Help
For assistance with property tax assessment reductions and appeals, real estate tax planning or real estate closings, contact the Law Offices of Gary H. Smith, a division of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, today.
Call 312-236-7961
We offer a free, no obligation consultation during which we will evaluate your case to create an effective legal strategy to reduce your property tax values. Since we handle most commercial, industrial, apartment, and residential tax assessment matters on a contingent fee basis, there is no cost for these services unless our office obtains a tax assessment reduction on your behalf.