Jul
31
2026
How To Find The Right Real Estate Attorney In Texas
Texas real estate law can be complicated. Whether you need to draw up a contract, know whether a contract is fair, foreclose on a property, carry the note, or move forward on a commercial transaction, you want to feel confident knowing you’re making the best decisions possible.
The smart place to start is to find a qualified attorney. An attorney can help you understand the fine print of a contract, help you deal with a borrower who is defaulting on their debts, walk you through the foreclosure process, negotiate a lease, and much more.
So, how do you find the right attorney for a real estate concern?
Follow the steps in the guide below to make the best choice and make decisions with confidence.
1. Search For Attorneys Who Specialize In The Category Of Real Estate Law You Need Help With
The first thing you’ll need to do is determine what kind of real estate attorney you need. Not all attorneys handle every legal concern that falls under “real estate.” By taking the time to understand what category of real estate law best fits your needs, you can narrow down your search and save yourself time (and headaches) in the long run.
These are types of property law and what typically falls under each category:
- Property Rights & Interests: This is one of the most important areas of real estate law. It covers the legal rights to own and use land and the buildings on it. It includes the rights of possession, control, exclusive use, enjoyment, and disposition.
- Sales & Acquisitions: If your legal issue involves transferring property ownership from one person (or group) to another, this category applies to you. It covers ensuring that transactions comply with Texas state law, drafting and reviewing purchase agreements, conducting due diligence, and ensuring the transfer is legally valid. This would include drafting deeds, real estate lien notes, deeds of trust, and Transfer on Death Deeds.
- Landlord & Tenant Relations: This subset of real estate law deals with issues such as lease terms, tenant rights, eviction, and dispute resolution. The focus should always be on fair and equitable treatment for both parties.
- Real Estate Financing: This relates to the methods by which purchasers secure funds to acquire property. It can include deeds of trust and financing agreements. If you want to better understand your financing options, negotiate terms, or ensure that an agreement's terms comply with state law, this applies to you.
- Land Use Regulations: These include zoning laws, environmental regulations, and building codes. This also applies if you need assistance with obtaining permits or challenging regulatory actions, ensuring that developers and investors comply with state and local laws.
- Tax Regulations Related To Real Estate: Tax regulations play a vital role in shaping real estate transactions and ownership. This area of law includes property taxes, capital gains taxes, and the tax incentives available for real estate investment and development. An attorney can also help you by providing valuable insights on tax implications and strategies to reduce tax liabilities.
Once you know the category that best describes your concerns, you can search for attorneys in your area who specialize in it. For example, at Adair Buckner, Attorney at Law, we do not provide services related to landlord-tenant relations, land use regulations, or tax regulations. But we do provide services for all other categories of real estate law.
2. Ask For Recommendations
Ask family, friends, realtors, title companies, or financial advisors for recommendations. Online reviews and legal directories can also provide insights. As you research, look for reviews that specifically address real estate law. Some attorneys may have excellent reviews for family law or personal injury cases, but have no experience with real estate.
3. Evaluate Their Experience & Credentials
Membership in professional organizations can be a good sign. The State Bar of Texas has a special section for attorneys interested in real estate law. Some attorneys also have board certification from the State Bar in real estate.
Other things to consider are whether the attorney has any accolades or awards, such as being a BBB Accredited Business or Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorney.
4. Schedule a Personal Meeting With Your Potential Attorney
Consider the personality and communication style of your potential lawyer. Finding someone you feel comfortable with is essential. Fortunately, many attorneys offer a free initial consultation so you can get to know them better before hiring them to help with your real estate concern.
During initial consultations, consider:
- Communication: Do they explain legal terms clearly and in a way you can understand?
- Patience and Empathy: Are they understanding and patient with your questions?
- Comfort: Are you comfortable with this attorney's personality and communication style, and with their staff?
- Availability: Can you reach them easily when needed? Will they respond to your inquiries?
5. Discuss Fees & Expectations
Attorneys may charge hourly rates or flat fees. Ensure you understand their fee structure and obtain a written fee agreement before you actually hire them. Ask about potential additional costs, such as for ancillary document preparation, filing fees, and other incidental costs that are likely to be incurred.
A trustworthy attorney will always be upfront about their fees.
6. Trust Your Instincts
After meeting with an attorney, trust your gut. The attorney must have a deep understanding of Texas law to achieve the best outcomes for your situation, whether that’s drawing up a contract, financial assistance, buying or selling, or foreclosing on a delinquent borrower if you carried the note.
If your attorney overlooks or neglects to inform you of important requirements, you could end up in a worse situation than you were in to begin with. Be sure you feel confident in your lawyer’s abilities and fit for your situation.
Contact Adair M. Buckner For More Information About Real Estate Matters In Texas
If you live in Texas and would like more information about real estate, contact Adair M. Buckner now for a free consultation*. As a reminder, we do not provide tenant and landlord-related services, land use regulations, or tax regulations.
* (The free consultation does not cover actual review of documents or giving legal advice on a specific situation.)
** This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, specific tax, legal, or accounting advice. We can only give specific advice upon consulting directly with you and reviewing your exact situation.
TESTIMONIALS
Mrs. Buckner did a full estate plan for me. Her work was excellent, her communication was great, and the price was reasonable. I would highly recommend her for your estate planning needs.
When my husband passed away, I contacted the attorney that we had used to prepare our wills but was unhappy with his attitude of indifference. I discovered Adair Buckner and all of my issues were resolved. Adair is professional, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable. She saved me a large amount of money by processing my will in the appropriate manner to best suit my situation.
We appreciate Adair Buckner’s professional and personable service. Our legal needs were met promptly and succinctly. We would not hesitate (and do!) recommend her to our family and friends.
Adair drew up a beautiful power of attorney and Will for my father in a timely manner. I highly recommend that you use her. She’s a wonderful lady.
This was as painless as it gets to hire an attorney in Amarillo Texas. Handled all the estate needs and never had to appear in court. You won't find any better and I use Attorneys quite often in my line of work.
It was way past time to finally get our Wills completed. This was something that was extremely complicated for us, but Adair and her assistant never made us feel like we were bothering them...and we (I) bothered them...a lot! Things were explained to us in a way that we could understand easily. Extremely professional and knows her stuff!
I was meeting with a financial advisor who encouraged me to finish my Will. He offices next door to an Estate Attorney, and voila, 'one-stop shopping]! Adair and her assistant Pennye made completing my estate planning fun, easy, and pleasant. I wholeheartedly recommend Adair Buckner!!
Trying to get our LLC changed over after moving to Texas was complicated, but Adair Buckner made the process so simple! We just gave her the details, and she handled everything quickly and professionally. Thank you, Adair, for making this part of our move stress-free!
Adair is very professional. She cares about her clients and explains everything very well. She makes you feel like a friend.
Losing my Mother and being appointed as Executor of her estate was overwhelming. Adair was very professional and personable. She handled and processed the estate with ease and kindness.