Many of the states want to license everything in order to do business. This is where a limited power of attorney comes in handy. It allows for a limited duration or circumstance, and tailored to meet the needs of a particular transaction or set of transactions.

Notice: Legal forms provided for general informational purposes. Before you utilize any legal form you find on the Internet, you should have it reviewed by a lawyer in your jurisdiction to be sure that it meets your legal needs, and will be held valid by a court in the jurisdiction where you reside.

I've consulted with a number of attorneys and they say that you can use the "Limited Power Of Attorney" to aid someone in presenting evidence. It seems some lawyers will try to shout you down that you are practicing law without a license. They don't want competition. This is a gray area. Sometimes I have proceeded unchallenged, other times I've been challenged.

First, you have the “Limited Power Of Attorney” contract that allows you to represent your client only in property tax disputes. Be advised that you may have to argue forcibly to win your point of view.

Sometimes you can challenge the gatekeepers to allow your unlicensed professional evidence into the hearing. In the end, all what matters is presenting believable well referenced information that leaves an impression with those peers overseeing and making judgement on the property in question.

Posing As “The Assistant”
If not, another way around this is to coach your client to present the evidence with you at his/her side as “the assistant.” She/he refers to you often in order to verify facts and figures. This way you’ll get to wiggle right in there and get a chance to talk and hopefully/probably make a complete presentation.

As an assistant, you are the clients evidence gatherer. You are their star witness. You have dug up the facts and can attest to what you witnessed and can further collaborate facts. You have a right to speak in conjunction with her/his behalf as a someone that observed and double-checked and added up numbers …right? You were there. You are a witness.

You and your client need to impress the panel or if it’s the State Court, the judge. When the numbers in your case are clear, you’ll win. Often the opposing side will arbitrate and make you an offer before the case is ever heard.

The opposing attorney may make motion to stop you from representing a client by virtue that you are not a licensed attorney. As far as speaking for a client, you are not representing them in a criminal case; you are not practicing law. You may have a limited power of attorney to speak for your client only on property tax matters. You only present property tax evidence.

Certain lawyers hide behind the legal system and want to freeze everyone out. They want the easy big bucks for themselves and you may have to go toe to toe with them to establish your property tax consultant turf-rights.

Many state jurisdictions permit you to represent a client without that client having to be present. You will likely not get challenged by attorneys and you’ll have no problems using the system. This is accomplished by having your client sign a limited power of attorney form (Advisor/Agency Form). With this signed document you can present evidence and make the case for your client.

Other options include working with an attorney and/or appraiser on a contingency basis since you are the rain-maker. You set up the deal and you get the big cut. These deals work out nicely with larger properties, multi-family homes, office complexes and industrial properties. This aspect of the business is where the really BIG money lies.

Naturally, the largest impact you could make to impress via certifications credential wise, is to have appraiser license title from the Appraisal Institute along with a SRA designation. But, you do not have to be a rocket scientist to come up with accurate market value. The process is quite basic, simple and straight forward.

Initial Business Setup
The set up for the business can be a separate side-business under a d.b.a. (doing business as) initially and, perhaps later as a LLC and taxed under a separate 1099. It is a part-time business.

There is a deadline for the client to file their appeal. It varies from county to county but usually the appeal needs to be received (not postmarked) within 30 days.

All the materials you need are included at PropertyTaxConsult.com . It is a complete course.