Best Real Estate Lawyers in Atlanta
ALFONSO GONZALEZ, Esq.
Real Estate Lawyer
Alfonso Gonzalez’s journey from his birthplace in Chicago, Illinois, to his current role as a respected attorney in Atlanta, Georgia, reflects a narrative deeply rooted in his Mexican heritage. Having relocated to Atlanta during his teenage years, Alfonso completed high school in Gwinnett County and furthered his education at the University of Georgia.
Originally a probation officer in Gwinnett County, Alfonso’s desire to make a more profound impact on people’s lives led him to pursue a legal career. He attended law school at Ohio Northern University’s Pettit College of Law, where his commitment to justice and community service flourished as a proud member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. During this transformative period, Alfonso interned at various organizations, including the South Texas Civil Rights Project, where he assisted low-income families with immigration matters.
Now licensed to practice law in the state of Georgia, Alfonso has cultivated a diverse practice that encompasses Immigration, Criminal Defense, and Personal Injury. His extensive life experiences and educational background uniquely position him to deliver exceptional legal services to the community that welcomed him when he first arrived in Georgia.
In collaboration with his law partner, Jennifer, Alfonso co-founded Gonzalez Torres, a legal firm dedicated to providing a comprehensive suite of services tailored to serve their community. Through their collective expertise and commitment to justice, they aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of those they represent.
Mehrnush saadat, esq.
Real Estate Lawyer
mehrnush was born in new york but considers herself an atlanta native having lived in the metro area for 30+ years. she grew up in cobb county and purchased her first home in kennesaw in 2005. upon acceptance to law school at ga state university, she decided to move to the city [largely due to her disdain for atlanta traffic]. since then, she has come to love the city life, especially the wonderful local restaurants, the beltline, piedmont park, and the constantly changing architectural landscape in all the intown neighborhoods. her current home in old fourth ward was purchased in 2011 and she has no plans to live outside the city [ever] again.
mehrnush received her bachelors from kennesaw state university in 2004 and her juris doctorate from georgia state university in 2014. during the decade in between, she obtained extensive experience in the corporate world in sales, management and marketing, as well as over a decade of real estate experience as a real estate agent practicing residential, condominium, land, and commercial brokerage.
mehrnush is a member of the american bar association, state bar of georgia, and the national association of realtors.
her native languages include english and farsi, and believes her spanish skills to be better than they actually are.
Michael Babcock
Real Estate Lawyer
Michael (Mike) Babcock is an attorney in the Buckhead (Atlanta) office. His practice focuses primarily on residential real estate. Mike represents a variety of lenders, builders, investors, entities, buyers and sellers in all phases of real estate.
Prior to joining Goggans, Stutzman, Hudson, Wilson, and Mize, LLP in January of 2022, Mike was an attorney at Partnership Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
In his free time, Mike enjoys reading, running, playing the piano and traveling with his girlfriend Wendi. They maintain joint custody of a 12-year-old lab shepherd mix named Turley.
Honors & Affiliations
- Member, Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association (GRECAA)
- Member, Georgia Bar, Real Estate Section
Dana Allen
Real Estate Lawyer
Dana Allen has practiced law in Georgia since 2003 when she became a member of the Georgia State Bar. The Allen Law Group, PC’s specializations include Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Probate Law.
Ms. Allen received her J.D. degree from the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University. She was a dual-degree major at Valdosta State University where she earned Bachelor of Arts Degrees in both English and History.
“I have always known that I wanted to become an attorney. I didn’t quite know what all that entailed, but the passion for the law was always there. I approach my clients’ issues the way that I would want my doctor to treat me when an issue comes up and no one else can reassure me but the person that I have chosen to trust my well-being to.”
There are joyous times when you need an attorney, such as purchasing a new home and there are unpleasant times, such as settling a loved one’s estate or being overwhelmed with debt.
In any of these scenarios, you have come to us because you have a specialized issue that you need competent and professional representation.
Allen Pahl
Real Estate Lawyer
We are real estate attorneys and our goal is a phenomenal closing experience for our clients. That begins with a comprehensive approach to every single property transaction. We represent homebuyers, sellers and mortgage lenders, from individuals to companies. We are a full service escrow and title agency offering owner’s and lender’s title insurance as well as closing and settlement services. We offer decades of experience and are committed to excellence.
Parties to a real estate transaction should use the same diligence in researching and selecting a Georgia Real Estate Attorney and Atlanta Title Company, as they would in finding any other professional including a real estate broker or mortgage lender.
Catherine Gibson
Real Estate Lawyer
Ms. Gibson represents clients with small business incorporation and limited liability formation, the issuance of shares and membership units, formation of partnerships and drafting of partnership agreements, and formation of for profit and not-for-profit businesses. She also has experience with many areas of immigration including the naturalization process, work visas, temporary protected status, and marriage based residency petitions.
As a certified mediator for the State of Georgia, Ms. Gibson has extensive experience in mediating both general and civil matters and landlord-tenant matters.
While at Emory Law School, Ms. Gibson was awarded the Henry Quillian prize for outstanding achievement and distinction in Contracts and Commercial Law and the Harry L. and Elanore Raoul Green Scholarship. Prior to opening the Gibson Law Firm, LLC, she clerked for King & Spalding, LLP, and practiced commercial real estate law at Powell Goldstein, LLP prior to becoming managing partner at The Gibson Law Firm, LLC.
- Practices in the areas of personal injury, residential and commercial real estate, business law, civil litigation and immigration. Her practice includes slip and falls, car accidents, trucking accidents, and wrongful death. She assists clients with loan modifications, zoning and land use, purchasers and sellers in acquisitions and disposition of residential and commercial properties and drafting of leases for landlords and tenants. She has experience in the representation of developers, investors, multi-unit housing.
William “Stan” Faulkner
Real Estate Lawyer
Mr. Faulkner is an experienced counselor and attorney, having held bar licenses in four states (MO, IL, CT and GA). He has appeared in many state and federal courts in each of these states with much success. He has also appeared in the Court of Appeal in both Missouri and Illinois.
Mr. Faulkner uses this experience and focuses his skills in the pursuit of assisting individuals in trust and estate matters. He is tireless in serving the needs of his clients. Stan is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and has practiced law in Missouri, Illinois, Connecticut and Georgia. He started his practice in St. Louis and southern Illinois where he helped clients resolve difficult problems in probate, personal injury, business and contractual disputes and environmental law.
Outside of the office, you can find Stan spending time with his twin daughters and young son, involved in various activities from cheerleading to baseball. In his free time, Stan stays active in the Crossfit community competing in local and regional events. Stan is also an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and enjoys watching and attending college football games in the fall.
Our law firm focuses on estate planning for families and individuals. Some of the areas we can help you with include asset protection planning, guardianship and conservatorship, Will preparation, as well as irrevocable and revocable trust preparation. We also focus on helping our clients go through the probate administration process as smoothly as possible.
We don’t focus on other practice areas to ensure we provide the highest-quality, client-tailored services possible. The benefit of this is that we are aware of the current law and issues that surround that practice area. Attorneys who practice exclusively in one area of the law are much more likely to correctly identify potential problems down the road. We take pride in excellent client service and dedicated hard work to deliver the services our clients need.
William Hunter
Real Estate Lawyer
William Hunter graduated from Tuskegee University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. After graduation, William, worked in finance for several years. Looking for an opportunity to pursue a career where his work product helped people directly, he then gained admission and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law in 2015.
Currently, Mr. Hunter is an attorney specializing in private practice in Atlanta, Ga. He is the owner of W. Hunter Law, and manages a law practice dedicated to Probate, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, and Real Estate Law.
William’s top priority in practicing law is ensuring that each client has an effective solution to their problem and that they receive top-quality customer service.
William is a member in good standing and is a bar member of Georgia and Missouri.
Do I need an Estate Plan? How to find the right Lawyer in Your area?
Estate planning is a crucial process that involves preparing for the management and distribution of your assets upon your death or incapacity. Many people mistakenly believe that estate planning is only for the wealthy, but it is essential for anyone who wants to ensure their wishes are honored and their loved ones are taken care of. This article explores why you need an estate plan and how to find the right lawyer in your area to assist you.
Why You Need an Estate Plan
1. Protecting Your Assets: An estate plan serves as a safety net that helps preserve the value of your assets. It minimizes delays in asset distribution and ensures that your wishes are carried out after your death. Without an estate plan, your assets may be distributed according to state laws, which may not align with your intentions.
2. Designating Beneficiaries: Creating a will allows you to specify who will receive your belongings, including real estate, personal property, and financial assets. This control is vital for avoiding disputes among family members and ensuring that your heirs receive what you intended for them.
3. Managing Health Care Decisions: An estate plan often includes health care directives, such as a medical power of attorney and living will. These documents appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring that your health care preferences are respected
4. Planning for Minor Children: If you have minor children, an estate plan allows you to designate guardians who will care for them in the event of your death. This decision is critical for their welfare and can prevent the court from making this choice without your input.
5. Minimizing Taxes and Fees: A well-structured estate plan can help reduce estate taxes and other fees associated with asset distribution. This can protect more of your wealth for your heirs and ensure they receive the maximum benefit from your estate.
How to Find the Right Lawyer
Choosing the right lawyer for your estate planning needs is essential for creating a comprehensive and legally sound plan. Here are some steps to help you find the right attorney:
1. Identify Your NeedsBefore searching for a lawyer, consider what specific services you require. Do you need help drafting a simple will, or do you require more complex arrangements like trusts? Understanding your needs will help narrow down potential candidates.
2. Research Local Attorneys: Start by searching online for estate planning attorneys in your area. Look for lawyers who specialize in estate planning rather than general practitioners, as they will have more experience with the nuances of this field. Check reviews and ratings on legal directories or local business sites to gauge their reputation.
3. Ask for Recommendations: Seek recommendations from friends, family, or financial advisors who have experience with estate planning attorneys. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights into an attorney’s effectiveness and approach.
4. Schedule Consultations: Once you’ve identified potential lawyers, schedule consultations to discuss your needs and assess their expertise. Most attorneys offer free initial consultations, allowing you to gauge their communication style and willingness to address your concerns.
5. Inquire About Fees: During consultations, ask about their fee structure—whether they charge hourly rates or flat fees for specific services. Understanding the costs involved will help you make an informed decision based on your budget.
6. Evaluate Compatibility: Choose a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable discussing personal matters related to your estate planning needs. A good attorney should listen carefully to your concerns, explain complex concepts clearly, and show genuine interest in helping you achieve your goals.
Conclusion
In summary, having an estate plan is essential for anyone who wishes to protect their assets, provide for their loved ones, and ensure their wishes are honored after they pass away. The process involves creating various legal documents, including wills, trusts, and health care directives.Finding the right lawyer is a critical step in this process; take the time to research potential candidates thoroughly and select one who understands your unique needs and circumstances. By investing in proper estate planning now, you can provide peace of mind for yourself and security for those you care about most in the future.