Lee Faye

Lee Faye is a San Francisco attorney practicing at the intersection of real estate law and tax law, with a specific focus on property tax assessment disputes and real estate transaction tax issues. She represents property owners in assessment appeals, advises buyers and sellers on the tax implications of their transactions, and handles disputes where a change of ownership triggered an unexpected reassessment. With a background in both real estate and tax law, she's well-positioned to handle matters that fall between the two disciplines. That includes cases where the structure of a real estate deal directly affects the property tax outcome, or where a client needs someone who can look at the full picture of a transaction rather than just one piece of it. She serves individual homeowners, investors, and real estate professionals throughout the Bay Area.

Lee Faye's practice covers property tax appeals, change of ownership reassessment disputes, and real estate transaction tax counseling. On the property tax side, she handles both Proposition 8 temporary reduction claims and base year value challenges. She's particularly focused on cases that arise from real estate transactions, where the assessor's interpretation of what happened in a deal doesn't match the taxpayer's understanding. She advises clients on the tax consequences of different transaction structures before a deal closes. If you're thinking about whether to hold a property in an LLC, how to structure a sale, or what the tax implications of a 1031 exchange might be at the property level, those are situations she can help think through alongside your other advisors. For clients who are already dealing with a reassessment they believe is incorrect, Lee handles the full appeal process from initial filing through the hearing. She also advises on the parent-child and grandparent-grandchild exclusions under California law, which are particularly relevant for families transferring property between generations. Getting these transfers structured correctly before they happen is far less complicated than trying to unwind a reassessment after the fact.

Lee begins every new matter with a consultation to understand the full facts, including the transaction history, current ownership structure, and any notices received from the assessor's office. For appeal cases, she reviews the assessor's records and identifies all viable grounds before filing. For transaction-related matters, she often works in parallel with the client's real estate attorney or CPA to make sure the property tax consequences are factored into the deal structure. It's a collaborative process and she's used to coordinating with other professionals. For formal appeals, she prepares the filing, gathers evidence, and represents the client at the Assessment Appeals Board hearing. She explains the process at each stage so clients know what to expect and aren't surprised by timelines or procedural steps. After a hearing decision, she advises on whether any follow-up options make sense based on the outcome.

Lee Faye serves clients throughout San Francisco and the broader Bay Area, including Marin, San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. Given the nature of real estate law, she sometimes works with clients on properties in other California counties when the transaction or dispute involves Bay Area parties. Initial consultations can be conducted remotely for clients who can't meet in person.