Whether you have owned your Southern California property for years or recently acquired it, you could find yourself dealing with a boundary dispute at some point. Real estate boundary disputes can be complex and emotionally charged, especially in Southern California, where property values are high. Disputes Over Boundaries Between Neighbors: How Do They Begin? Boundary […]
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Ringing in 2023: Review Your Estate and Contracts
Are you looking for a New Year’s Resolution that will make a real difference in your life? Make 2023 a year of purpose. Take the time to properly memorialize unwritten agreements, start fresh, turn those potential profit scenarios into contracts. Consider having an experienced lawyer review your estate plan and your current contracts. Reviewing your […]
Read more...It’s Never Too Soon To Start Planning Where Your Assets Will End Up
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 […]
Read more...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...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...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 […]
Read more...Not Just Words
The art of using the right words is one that lawyers master in order to accomplish their clients’ wishes. Contracts are not simply words on a page. Each word and the collection of them as a whole is carefully selected to convey meaning and precision. Legal jargon can be complicated. Lawyers undergo extensive training to […]
Read more...Trust Estate Problem
We were told, “… never heard of that before.” “… can’t be done,” and “Good luck with that!” Indeed, a lawyer’s work is sometimes against all odds and a little luck never hurts. But your lawyer’s success does not rest on good fortune alone. In a law practice, the sources of success are neither aimless […]
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