Law Office of Laura Godek

Welcome to the comprehensive profile of the Law Office of Laura Godek, a legal practice featured within the "Lawyers Near Me" platform category, offering specialized services to local users in McHenry, Illinois, and the surrounding regions. This introduction provides an objective overview of the firm's environment, services, features, and available promotional information, based on publicly accessible data and client feedback.

The Law Office of Laura Godek is situated at 913 Curran Rd, McHenry, IL 60050, USA. The firm can be contacted by phone at (815) 344-1965 or mobile phone at +1 815-344-1965. This location offers convenience for residents of McHenry and the broader area, making it an accessible point for legal consultations.

Laura Godek, also known as Laura Moore Godek, has an extensive legal background spanning over 40 years. Her practice is primarily focused on real estate law and, notably, property tax appeals. She has established a significant presence in McHenry County and extends her services to Kane, Lake, DuPage, and Boone Counties in Illinois. According to information available, her office prides itself on being a leader in property tax appeals in McHenry County, boasting a reported 94% success rate and claiming to have saved clients over 9 million dollars in the previous year. This suggests a strong track record and a focus on delivering tangible financial benefits to her clients in this niche area.

The services offered by the Law Office of Laura Godek are primarily centered around real estate and property taxation. These services include, but are not limited to:

• Property Tax Appeals: This is a core service, aimed at helping property owners reduce their tax assessments. Laura Godek has experience with hearings before the McHenry, Kane, Lake, and Winnebago Boards of Review, as well as hearings before the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB).
• Residential Real Estate Closings: Assisting clients with the legal aspects of buying and selling homes.
• Commercial Real Estate Transactions: Providing legal guidance for commercial property dealings.
• Starker 1031 Exchanges: Expertise in facilitating tax-deferred property exchanges.
• Short Sale Negotiations: Representing clients in distressed property sales.
• Contract Negotiations: Drafting and negotiating real estate contracts.
• Articles of Agreement for Deed: Handling specialized real estate agreements.
• Title Specialties: Addressing various title-related matters.

Beyond her legal qualifications, Laura Godek is also a licensed Illinois real estate broker and a member of the Illinois Real Estate Attorney's Association. Her diverse experience includes serving on the board of directors and managing the lending and collection department for a credit union, examining titles, and working as a loan officer for a title company. She has also held an appraiser's license and was a former alternate tax hearing officer with the McHenry County Board of Review, and a noted member of the McHenry County MLS Contracts and Forms committee. This breadth of experience in various facets of the real estate industry provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities her clients face.

The firm emphasizes that there is no charge for an initial phone call, inviting prospective clients to discuss their questions or concerns. This offers a convenient way for individuals to assess their legal needs and learn more about the firm's approach without an upfront financial commitment. The office also has Notary Publics available, adding to the convenience of their services.

Regarding client experiences, the publicly available information presents a stark contrast. One review, which is highly critical, labels the firm a "SCAM" and advises others to "STAY AWAY!" This client recounts an experience involving property tax appeals for 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2014, Laura Godek successfully appealed the property taxes after recommending an appraiser (whose report the client never received, despite paying $400 for it). The major issue arises with the 2015 appeal. The client states that their taxes significantly increased by $70,000 the very next year. When asking Laura Godek to appeal, the client claims they were repeatedly pressured to accept lower reductions (first $10,000, then $30,000) despite believing the increase was unreasonable. The client eventually refused to accept these offers, leading to the county reportedly agreeing to the appraised value. The most severe allegation from this client is that Laura Godek allegedly received their refund for the 2015 appeal and also appealed their 2016 taxes without their explicit instruction, taking the money from the 2016 refund as well, and even claiming a remaining balance of $15.07. This review paints a picture of a practice that is perceived as manipulative, financially opportunistic, and lacking transparency, particularly concerning the handling of refunds and unrequested services.

This single, highly negative review provides a very specific and concerning account of alleged misconduct. It contrasts sharply with the firm's promotional claims of a high success rate and saving clients substantial amounts of money. The review suggests a significant breakdown in trust and communication, particularly around fees, refunds, and the scope of services performed. While this is just one perspective, it is a detailed account that raises serious questions about client financial management and consent.

In conclusion, the Law Office of Laura Godek positions itself as a seasoned legal professional with over 40 years of experience, specializing in property tax appeals and a broad spectrum of real estate law matters. Her background as a licensed real estate broker and former alternate tax hearing officer, along with a stated high success rate in property tax appeals, suggests a strong foundation in these areas. The firm aims to be accessible to clients with an initial free phone consultation and offers services across several Illinois counties. However, the available client feedback includes a very severe accusation of scam-like behavior related to fees, refunds, and unauthorized services. This stark divergence in information means that potential clients should exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence, perhaps seeking detailed clarification on billing practices, refund processes, and the scope of engagement before retaining the services of the Law Office of Laura Godek.