How to Select a Property Tax Attorney

You may need to hire a property tax attorney to help you with tax disputes. A good property tax attorney can save you money. Make sure that you invest the proper amount of time and attention when selecting your property tax attorney.

Instructions

1. Ask friends and family for help. If any of your family or friends hired a property tax attorney, they may be able to give you a recommendation.

2. Interview the attorney in person if possible. Ask if she is a member of any organizations or has any special certifications or special training that qualifies her as a top-notch property tax attorney. She should at least be a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers, which is the organization that does property tax assessments in the United States.

3. Check the attorney's references. A good attorney will usually provide at least three references who can tell you both the good things and the bad things about working with that attorney. Be wary of any reference who says only positive things about the attorney.

4. Find out who will actually be working on your case. Some attorneys use other attorneys or law students to handle the paperwork or research.

5. Consider the attorney's case record. He should be willing to provide his statistics, or you can get them from your local courthouse.

6. Read the agreement to find out the fee the property tax attorney charges. Property tax attorneys usually require an initial fee to take the case, and then they're paid on a contingency basis, which means they are paid based on the outcome of your case. Make sure that all services you need for your case are covered by the fees you pay.

7. Hire the most appropriate and experienced attorney that you can reasonably afford.