ComplaintsforAndrew J. Rukavina & Associates

• Initial Complaint

  05/14/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have reached out to this attorney for appealing high property tax for my home. He sent the documentation for filing the appeal. I signed those documents and sent them back to him.He didn't appeal for the taxes. When I reached out to him he didn't even respond. I trusted that he is going to file for my property taxes but he didn't. Now I am ending up paying high property taxes. Had he told me before and didn't get the paper work signed and sent to him, I would have hired another lawyer. Attached is the communication I had with this attorney, and you could see his responses as well.

  Business response

  05/15/2024

  ************************* is a returning client. He knows our appeal procedures well. His signed retainer agreement, which I have attached hereto, indicates in writing that we will examine the property to see if there is a viable case for a tax appeal. Just as we had done in previous years for *******, we researched the property to find a meritorious case for a tax appeal based on over valuation and equity. Last year was extremely hard. Home values had increased during the pandemic and the Assessor took full advantage of that when revaluing everyone's home. I could not find a winnable case for him last year. I examined sales comps and building equity comparisons per square foot and found nothing to refute the evidence from the County to the contrary for the ******************************************************************* one year does not mean he won't have a good case in the next year. Clients are encouraged to appeal every year in the 4 year quad cycle so that they do not overpay in any year where there might be a chance for a reduction.  However, I will not file a case where the Assessor can come back at hearing and raise the client's assessment even more than what they already have you valued at, simply because your appeal gives them the right to reexamine you in the light of your new appeal and raise you even more at hearing. No one wants that result.  I do my very best for all of my clients and 99% of them are pleased. Once in a great while when you don't win a reduction the client gets frustrated and mad at the messenger. That appears to be the case here. 

  Customer response

  05/15/2024

   
  Complaint: 21712864
  
  I am rejecting this response because one of my neighbors who have a similar home got their tax reduced significantly. Basically he didnt even file an appeal nor did he communicated that to me. He should have told in the beginning that there is no case and he is not going to appeal. This will let me find another attorney. But he didnt.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  05/16/2024

  As a tax appeal attorney, I can tell you that one neighbor's property has nothing to do with the other neighbor's property. Each home is vastly different in so many ways, from style, and construction to interior elements that make it distinct from even the next door neighbor. My retainer speaks quite clearly of my duties and obligations thereunder. I have complied fully with the written and signed retainer. As stated previously, some people do not have a meritorious case. ******* did not have a case. He can scream about it until he's blue in the face it still won't change the fact that there was no case to appeal. He is understandably frustrated with his property taxes, but his bitter response towards me is irrational. It is what it is. His properly assessed. I determined this, the County determined this and the Assessor determined this. Furthermore, no attorney is going to touch his case in the future when they know he is ready to throw them under the bus if they don't win him a reduction. 

  Customer response

  05/16/2024

   
  Complaint: 21712864
  

  Let me state one thing clearly.  If the appeal board determines that I am not eligible for tax reduction, I will abide by appeal board's decision happily.  But there wasn't any appeal that was made.  Based on his initial communication I thought that he is going to appeal.  If the attorney determined that there is no basis to appeal  he should have informed me that he is not going to appeal because there is no basis to appeal. But I was not informed.

   

  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

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