All too often in our practice, we see people who have decided to write their own will, lease, or other legal document with less than desirable results. Or, they may try, unsuccessfully, to record a deed, or file a document with the court. Two people may have a business arrangement and decide to create their […]
Read more...Author: hamlincody
Property Owners: Don’t Cut Corners When Vetting Potential Tenants
If you are a property owner and rent or lease your property, you may have had the experience of choosing a tenant. Sometimes we are strapped for time, or we just don’t think we need to do the extra work involved in properly vetting a prospective tenant. A clear majority of people are honest, hard […]
Read more...Applying the Human Touch in Legal Disputes
Over my many years of practice, I’ve learned that the simplest solution to a difficult legal problem is to listen to the parties involved. Often, people just want to know that they are being heard and have a right to their emotions. The “win” doesn’t always mean hashing it out in court. Sure, going to […]
Read more...Updating Your Estate Plan When You Are Getting Divorced
Separating or divorcing your spouse is an emotional process that drastically changes your life. You could be settling into a new place to live or getting another job. Your focus is on the next chapter of your life and with that, you should also consider how your estate plan needs to change. Failure to update […]
Read more...Billboard Lawyers: A Rare Breed
When we drive down the freeway, we usually see an assortment of billboards. They have become so commonplace, we really give little thought about what it might have taken to put them there. Billboard law is an interesting and special area of law. Many years ago, it was much like the wild west. Just about […]
Read more...Give Yourself the Best Graduation Present Ever
If you are a parent, you know what a proud moment it is when your child goes away to college. You have spent their entire life getting them ready to test their wings and get out on their own. That’s not to mention the time you have spent helping them choose a school and complete […]
Read more...Going the Extra Mile
Many times, people will come to a lawyer for help with a legal problem and receive some sort of quick resolution. The result may be satisfactory, but frankly, not fantastic. The lawyer might quickly close the file and move on to the next client. The client feels that they received justice and goes back to […]
Read more...Commercial Tenants Have Rights Too
Did you ever wonder if there’s an avenue for recourse when the government seizes property and doesn’t pay you the fair market value for it? This type of action is called inverse condemnation and unfortunately happens more often than you might think it does. If you find yourself in this situation, even if you are […]
Read more...Why Maintaining Your Trust Is So Important
Many of us know that a trust is a great estate planning tool. When used correctly, a trust will enable you to leave your estate to your loved ones, without the time and expense of going through the probate process. The problem is however, many people have a trust created but may not have been […]
Read more...Banks Behaving Badly
Most banks and bankers are honest. Most will conduct themselves honestly, in a fair and ethical manner. Some don’t. While we cannot expect compassion from a bank, we can expect honesty. We can expect banks will honor their agreements. A client I worked with had experienced some financial challenges and had fallen behind on his […]
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