Thinking about one’s own mortality can be difficult. There are some people who believe you don’t need to think about it. The things we leave behind will not be of concern to us after we die—our assets will become someone else’s responsibility. But it’s important to prepare for the unexpected. In the event of an […]
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Easing Into Easements: The Basics
Easements are non-possessory interests in real property known in the law as “servitudes.” In other words, an easement owner does not own the property itself. Easements allow one party to use the land of another party for a specific purpose. Also referred to as a “restricted right,” this is the right to use another’s property […]
Read more...Contract Formation – What to Consider and How to Get Started
In order to reduce the potential for conflict, contracts provide clear and binding terms. The enforcement of a written contract is far easier than an oral agreement, especially when it outlines the parties’ rights and responsibilities clearly. In contrast to law firms that only draft legal documents, Hamlin | Cody does more than that. Our […]
Read more...3 Considerations When Leasing Land for a Billboard
Billboards can be used to promote and market your own business, or rented to others to promote and market their businesses. While you can build your own billboard, there’s more to it than installing a sign. If you want to rent the use of the billboard to others, you will have the same issues as […]
Read more...10 Essentials in a Billboard Easement Agreement
Have billboard law questions? Check out our 7 FAQs if You Have a Billboard on Your Property. In the same way that a utility company has an easement to run cables or power lines across a private property, a company or individual can permit the construction and display of a billboard on a property. In […]
Read more...5 Benefits of Mediation
“There is often a number of solutions for any given problem.” – John Nash, A Beautiful Mind As often as you may see it in movies and on TV, litigation is considered a last resort between two disputing parties. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and it may not yield the results you need. Mediation, on the […]
Read more...The Importance of Documentation for Fiduciary Accounting
Whether you’re a trustee under a trust, or acting under a power of attorney or a conservator in a conservatorship, maintaining proper records and preparing periodic accountings are the best ways a fiduciary can help protect itself and serve its beneficiary’s best interests. That brings to mind a case in which our client was serving […]
Read more...Right-of-Way Issues and Caltrans Requests
Ever wonder who owns that land along the freeway located beside your property? Typically, it’s referred to as the “right-of-way” and it’s owned by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). What is a Right-of-Way? A right-of-way is defined as an easement granted or reserved over the land for transportation purposes, this can include highways, public […]
Read more...Due Diligence When Buying Property With Billboards
Buying property can involve a lot of twists and turns. When a billboard exists on a property the sale has an added layer of complexity that must be thoroughly investigated. When we work with clients interested in real estate with billboards, no part of the process is more important than completing due diligence. Due diligence […]
Read more...If It’s Not In Writing—It Never Happened
A recent case brought to mind the importance of documentation in business endeavors, especially those with personal roots. We had a client who was very successful at property investing. His brother-in-law was eager to learn and the two of them bought a few properties together. Unfortunately, the brother-in-law had a drinking problem and passed away […]
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