When you are considering buying property, it is wise to consult with property lawyers to ensure everything is legal and above board. They’ll be able to tell you what to look out for and do all the legwork in making sure the property is suitable, safe and sound. They may also give advice on property law and pricing.

Most people love the idea of moving into a brand new home, but there are some good reasons to consider purchasing an older property.

• Older properties can be found closer to the CBD and in inner city locations. This puts you closer to the action and can save on transport costs to work and to other amenities. It’s not so far to go to dine out and find other things you like to participate in as part of your inner city lifestyle.
• Older properties may need some upgrades or renovations so the purchase price will likely be lower to allow for this. You can then DIY or wait awhile for those renovations and do them as you can afford them.

Surviving a divorce is a little like making it through a shipwreck – they’re often survivable, but it takes a little luck and some hard work to swim to shore.  The following tips should help you navigate the shark infested waters as you head back to calmer seas.

Your Next Marriage

No, I’m not talking about who you date after the divorce is over, I’m talking about your Family Lawyer.  This is the person who will calm your nerves, hold your hand through rough times, stand up for you and your interests, defend you, and generally be your guiding light for months.  You’ll also likely pay them a tidy sum of money so it’s absolutely critical you find a match for your budget and for your personality.  It’s like a marriage.

How do you find such a kindred soul?  Interview, interview, interview.  If you’re stressed out because you’ve been served with papers, or you want to file for divorce right away, the tendency is to go with the first family lawyer you meet.  Don’t do that.  Remember, you have to find a match.  Are you comfortable with them?  Do you like their personality?  Are you a person who needs a quick response to questions?  Did the lawyer (or their assistant) quickly return your phone call or email?  What do other people say about them (on-line reviews of lawyers actually exist and they’re extremely helpful).

A commercial lease is one of the most important, and sometimes scary, documents a new business owner will ever sign.  They involve complex terms, financial risk, and obligations you may have never seen before.  The first commercial lease my company ever signed was for a total value of $2.5 million dollars over five years.  At the time, it scared me to death.

With careful planning, however, a commercial lease can be a tremendous asset to your business, and as always, speaking to a qualified property lawyer is always a good idea.

Here’s a few things to watch out for:

• The Money. You’ll be paying rent at regular intervals so watch out for a few things that will appear in this part of your lease.
• Automatic rent increases. These are common in leases and can substantially affect your ability to pay (as well as the profitability of your business) over time.  Be careful to examine exactly how the rent increase will be calculated.   Try to anticipate the worst case scenarios and plan for them.  Be prepared to negotiate on this term, you do not have to accept it at face value.  Again, consulting with a competent property lawyer is a smart move.

A few tips to remember if by chance you see a police officer take out the handcuffs and you’re sure they’ll be going around your wrists any second.

• Stop talking. While it’s true that your statements are generally inadmissible until the officer reads you your Miranda warning, it still doesn’t make sense to give the police any more information than necessary.  Wait to talk to your criminal lawyer.  Adrenaline will be pumping through your system, and many people get very “chatty” because that is their natural response to fear.  Take a deep breath, remember this is the time to be quiet. Miranda are those magic words which say “anything you say can and will be used against you…”.  Once you hear that phrase it’s really time to be silent and ask for your lawyer.  This doesn’t mean you can’t ask a question (“can I call someone to come get my car”, “I have medicine I need in my car”, etc.), but beyond that it’s better to zip your lip.