Author name: Ebony Halligan

Conveyancing
Conveyancing, Law Advisors, Property Law

The Essentials of Conveyancing: Understanding Its Role in Real Estate

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In the world of real estate, the process of buying or selling a property is not as straightforward as it may seem. There are many legal complexities and intricacies involved that must be navigated carefully to ensure a successful transaction. This is where conveyancing comes into play. Understanding the role of conveyancing is crucial for anyone looking to engage in real estate transactions. What is Conveyancing? Before we delve deeper into the topic, let’s clarify what conveyancing actually means. Conveyancing refers to the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. It involves many legal and administrative tasks that must be completed to ensure that the transaction is legally valid and binding. Definition and Overview of Conveyancing Conveyancing is the legal process that ensures the transfer of property ownership is done correctly and efficiently. It includes various stages, such as conducting property searches, preparing and reviewing legal documents, and handling the financial aspects of the transaction. During the conveyancing process, property searches are conducted to gather important information about the property. These searches include checking for any planning restrictions, environmental concerns, or potential disputes that may affect the property’s value or the buyer’s ability to use it for their intended purposes. Once the searches are completed, legal documents are prepared and reviewed. These documents include the contract of sale, which outlines the terms and conditions of the transaction, and the transfer deed, which transfers the legal ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer. Financial aspects of the transaction are also handled during conveyancing. This includes ensuring that the buyer has the necessary funds to complete the purchase, coordinating with mortgage lenders to arrange for the release of funds, and calculating and settling any outstanding debts or fees associated with the property. The Importance of Conveyancing in Real Estate Conveyancing plays a vital role in real estate transactions for several reasons. First and foremost, it helps protect the rights of both the buyer and the seller. By ensuring that all legal requirements are met, conveyancing helps prevent any legal disputes or issues that may arise in the future. Imagine purchasing a property without proper conveyancing. You may later discover that the property has unresolved disputes or outstanding debts that you were unaware of. This could lead to costly legal battles or even the loss of the property. Commercial lawyers help mitigate these risks by thoroughly examining the property’s history and ensuring that all necessary checks and balances are in place. In addition, conveyancing provides peace of mind to all parties involved in the transaction. It ensures that the property being sold is free from any encumbrances or claims that may hinder the transfer of ownership. This is particularly important for buyers who want to ensure that they are purchasing a property with a clean title. Furthermore, conveyancing helps facilitate the smooth transfer of funds between the buyer, seller, and mortgage lender. It ensures that all financial obligations are met, such as paying off existing mortgages, taxes, and other fees. This not only protects the interests of the buyer and seller, but it also provides reassurance to the mortgage lender that their investment is secure. Overall, conveyancing is a crucial aspect of any real estate transaction. It ensures that the transfer of property ownership is conducted legally and efficiently, protecting the rights and interests of all parties involved. Without proper conveyancing, the risks of disputes, financial complications, and legal issues significantly increase. The Conveyancing Process Now that we have a general understanding of what conveyancing entails, let’s take a closer look at the different stages involved in the process. Pre-Contract Stage The pre-contract stage is the initial phase of the conveyancing process. It involves gathering important information about the property and assessing its legal status. This includes conducting searches to uncover any potential issues, such as outstanding debts, planning restrictions, or environmental concerns. During this stage, the buyer’s conveyancer will also review the draft contract provided by the seller’s conveyancer. They will ensure that all necessary clauses and terms are included and negotiate any potential changes if needed. Additionally, the conveyancer may also investigate the property’s history, looking into previous owners, any disputes or disputes, and any potential rights or restrictions that may affect the property’s use or value. This thorough investigation helps the buyer make an informed decision about their purchase. Contract Stage Once the pre-contract stage is completed, the parties will move on to the contract stage. This is when the legally binding contract is prepared and signed by both the buyer and the seller. The contract outlines the terms and conditions of the sale, including the purchase price, completion date, and any additional provisions. At this stage, the buyer is typically required to pay a deposit, which is usually a percentage of the property’s purchase price. The deposit serves as security and demonstrates the buyer’s commitment to the transaction. During the contract stage, the conveyancer will also conduct a final review of the contract to ensure that all the agreed-upon terms and conditions are accurately reflected. They will also advise the buyer on any potential risks or legal implications associated with the contract. Post-Contract Stage After the contract stage, the conveyancing process enters the post-contract stage. This phase involves various legal and administrative tasks, such as transferring funds, registering the property with the relevant authorities, and arranging for the payment of any outstanding fees, taxes, or mortgages. The conveyancer will work closely with the buyer’s mortgage lender to ensure that all necessary funds are transferred to the seller and any existing mortgages on the property are discharged. They will also coordinate with the buyer’s solicitor to ensure that all legal documentation is in order. During this stage, the conveyancer will also ensure that all necessary documents, such as the transfer deed and the mortgage deed, are correctly executed and lodged with the appropriate authorities. They will also handle the payment of stamp duty land tax and the registration of

Property Law
Property Law

Property Law: Considerations to Know Before Transferring Real Property in Australia

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For a variety of reasons, it may become essential to transfer ownership of real estate. If your marriage or domestic partnership fails and property is part of the settlement, for instance. Likewise, if you and your partner are just starting out in a married or de facto relationship and are thinking about combining your assets, this is a good read. Your children, siblings, or even acquaintances might benefit from receiving a piece of property as an inheritance. Whatever your motivation, familiarity with the steps required to transfer real property in NSW is key to a smooth transaction. In this article, our professional property lawyers Sydney explain all you need to know about real property ownership. We believe that with adequate knowledge about private property, the law relating to personal property, common law principles, and your general legal rights, you will be well-positioned to make good choices as a property owner. The definition of real estate transfer. Transferring ownership of the real estate in NSW has always included a new owner taking over the CT from the previous owner. A Certificate of Title is a legal document that specifies the land’s borders and names the registered owner(s). Planning a property transfer without taking into account potential changes to the land title system requirements might be disastrous. Even though everything is handled digitally nowadays, there are still a number of documents you need to gather and submit before submitting a transfer. As a result, if you need to transfer property in New South Wales (NSW), you need to see a conveyancer. When relocating to New South Wales, how do you go about transferring real estate? In New South Wales, the following steps are necessary to transfer property ownership: How often does real estate in New South Wales (NSW) change hands, and why does it happen? As a result of the dissolution of a marriage or significant other Unfortunately, not every marriage ends happily. After a long period of marriage, divorce is also a typical occurrence. After a divorce or legal separation is finalized, one of the things that must be done is a settlement of the couple’s assets. The payment of duty may be waived if the transfer is being made in accordance with a legally enforceable financial arrangement. To request an exemption, you must fill out a form and submit copies of relevant papers, such as a legal contract. Visit https://charlesbridgeslaw.com/skills-to-possess-to-become-a-successful-family-lawyer/ to read about Skills to possess to become a successful family lawyer. To avoid paying taxes, many people choose to transfer their assets to a corporation or trust. For tax reasons, some property owners choose to maintain their assets in the trust or transfer them to a trust. You can do this by creating trust for your child or by keeping the property in a retirement account. The term “trust ownership” refers to the situation in which one person or entity holds title to the property for the benefit of another. While not unprecedented, the procedure is lengthy, tedious, and governed by several regulations. As an added consideration, there may be tax consequences if you make the transfer. The practice of transferring assets to a spouse or common-law partner in order to reduce the risks associated with running a business. It is common practice for married or de facto couples to make their loved ones joint tenants in their property. This means that they can own an undivided half each. Some married people, however, are trying to swap out their investment property ownership. They can file an application to modify their ownership status from joint tenants to tenants in common. It means that one of them has a larger stake in the property than the other does (e.g., a 60-40 split) in the event that this occurs. As a form of asset protection, some couples choose to jointly own a house or to switch ownership shares. There are tax benefits for married couples who file jointly, particularly for those who are just starting out in a company. However, this action may influence your capital gains tax liability and your pension benefits. When considering asset protection, couples often explore various options, such as jointly owning a house or adjusting ownership shares. While there are tax advantages for married couples filing jointly, including benefits for new business ventures, it’s essential to be aware of the impact on capital gains tax liability, and pension benefits. For the benefit of friends and relatives as a legal gift or inheritance To best prepare their children for the future, caring parents must take action now. An alternative to leaving the property in a will is to give it away outright as a gift. While this is typically a straightforward procedure, it can get complicated if there is already a mortgage on the home. The individual selling the property must think about whether or not the buyer will assume the debt. A transferee in this situation will also need to go through the loan approval process. The transferor may also face tax and other financial consequences. As a result of the death of a co-tenant or tenant-in-common owner If one of two joint tenants dies, the other automatically inherits their share of the property. This procedure takes effect no matter the dead owner’s wishes or the status of the heirs. If the dead was a joint owner of the property with someone else, then the surviving joint tenant would inherit the property regardless of their relationship to the deceased. If the conveyancer wants to change the name on the Torrens Title Register, they must file a Notice of Death with the NSW Land Registry Service. In contrast, surviving tenants in common may need to seek a grant of probate or administration if the dead owner was a tenant in common. Before passing the property to the remaining tenants in common, an application for a grant of probate or administration must be filed. How Chamberlains Lawyers Can Help? Depending on your specific situation, navigating New South Wales’s

Skills to possess to become a successful family lawyer
Family Lawyers

Skills to possess to become a successful family lawyer

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Many things are causing issues in the family today. Some do not know relationship law, and that is why they are facing a lot of challenges. Trust me; you need a family law specialist. Who are family law specialists? Family law specialists are family lawyers that understand family law matters. A family law matter can be a property settlement. So, you need to know some skills you need to possess to join other family lawyers. Do you want successful outcomes in your work? You must have some skills.  Apart from the fact that one needs to go to law school, one also needs to possess some skills to become a family lawyer. But unfortunately, there are countless family lawyers in Sydney, some of whom are irrelevant. Why? They have all it takes to make things work, but they lack some skills. Getting a certificate and acquiring some skills is the perfect way to become a successful family lawyer. Have you come across people with good grades from school, and yet they are not recognized? Of course, there are countless of them. Some lack problem-solving skills, while some cannot communicate effectively. Therefore, it is not all about gathering and acquiring certificates in law. If you have relevant certificates without possessing some skills, you can’t be a successful family lawyer. But trust me, if you lag in showing some skills, people won’t reckon with you. In fact, people will not see you as a lawyer. So, what are the necessary skills you need to possess? That is what this write-up is all about. First, however, it would be nice to create a piece of background knowledge. Therefore, we will discuss the meaning of family lawyers before we proceed to the skills to become a family lawyer Sydney. Family law matters need to be taken to a family court. A family court is where family matters like property settlements and financial matters are trashed. Also, the family court system has a separate operation.  Who is a family lawyer? A family lawyer is someone that has undergone training on how to deal with legal issues in a family. Thus, family lawyers are an advocate. They stand to defend and make things work for their clients. Initially, family lawyers focus on issues that have an impact on families. To solve legal problems in your family, you need to hire a competent family lawyer. Family lawyers deal with matters like divorce proceedings. Not only that, but family lawyers also deal with adoptions and child custody. They are in charge of a common legal task in the family. Common legal duties include drafting custody agreements, wills, and other legal documents. With their extensive training and knowledge, they act as advocates, striving to achieve the best outcomes. By leveraging their expertise, family lawyers can provide valuable insights on cost-saving measures, ensuring that the process of establishing a self-managed super fund remains financially viable. Their dedication to making things work for their clients extends to the realm of SMSF setup, where they work tirelessly to minimize expenses and maximize benefits. Furthermore, family lawyers also deal with monitoring the affairs of the family. So, if there’s a need for any legal backing, they will rise to make things work. Also, family lawyers deal with elder abuse and exploitation, child abuse, and neglect. Furthermore, family lawyers understand how to treat family matters like property settlement, parenting arrangements, independent legal advice, solving family law issues, solving family disputes, and child support assessment. Also, family lawyers are responsible for binding child support agreements, child support schemes, and separation processes. And at times, family matters can be complex, and it may require a family law team to work on the entire process.  I have heard about how financial settlements scatter many homes. Yes! Financial settlements are challenging. How about same-sex relationships? How will a law firm handle situations like this if they don’t possess some skills? If family lawyers don’t have some skills, they can’t take family matters like spousal maintenance and property settlement. That is why you must see yourself as a specialist family law firm.  Do you want interrupted family law services? Then, you must hire experienced family lawyers. Family lawyers understand the Australian family law system. For example, are you battling property and financial settlements in your family? In addition, you need family lawyers that can use their extensive experience to help you to align with court orders.  Some complex family law matters need immediate attention. That is why one must refrain from joking about hiring a competent law firm. I said earlier that family lawyers understand family dispute resolution. Family lawyers also know how to use strategic advice to make things work for their clients. Unfortunately, many clients have fallen into the wrong hands.  You don’t need to spend money to hire a child support agency if you are in contact with a reliable law firm.  Skills to possess to become a family lawyer in Australia 1.      Attention to details It is expedient for you to learn how to pay attention to details. Without a perfect attention span, it is impossible to represent your client. Remember, you must resolve legal issues for clients. So, how can you achieve that if you don’t know how to pay attention to details? Thus, to remain relevant in law, you must work on yourself and learn to pay attention to details. You will have to listen to your clients to know what to do. And if you’re not calm enough, you can’t get what you will use to create legal documents. Therefore, it is essential to plan how to acquire excellent attention skills. Family law needs hundred percent attention. So, to have a successful law firm, you must learn to pay attention to details.  2.      Teamwork As a family lawyer, it is essential to know how to work as a team and as an individual. Of course, some lawyers can’t work within a team. But, of course, they are always at their best

Commercial Law
Commercial Law

8 Ways Commercial Lawyers Can Save Your Business

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No doubt, a commercial lawyer is a great asset to every business. Whether you are still nursing your startup firm or running a huge empire, you can’t undermine the valuable expertise of commercial lawyers in protecting your business interests and properties.  Commercial lawyers are professionals specially trained in business and other business areas. They also have a vast knowledge of protecting your intellectual properties, consequently increasing your profit margin.  Amusingly, some novice business owners may think it is better to run a business without the services of commercial lawyers because of the seemingly expensive charge of premium business lawyers. They also believe commercial lawyers are only needed when a dispute warrants showing up in court. Hence they don’t think of hiring a commercial lawyer until there’s a problem.  You can only downplay the essence of commercial lawyers if you don’t mean business. But, if you are keen on taking your business above the threats of competition and soaring to a tremendous lofty height, you need a commercial lawyer.  Related: 9 Best Alternative Careers for Commercial Lawyers Commercial lawyers are supposed to be part of your team. But, if you want to get it right, you must carry them along from the beginning of your business and give them a free hand to actively participate in your decision-making.  Commercial lawyers provide legal advice and protect you from making some decisions that may cost you money or property. Not only that, they will help you build a solid foundation heavily defended against loss and lawsuits. A commercial lawyer can save your business in so many ways. In this article, you will learn eight ways your business can avoid loss through the help of a commercial lawyer.  8 Ways Commercial Lawyers Can Save Your Business  1. Protect your business in court One of the primary duties of commercial lawyers is to defend businesses in court when there is a lawsuit. Unfortunately, not every customer is a friend of your business. Some are ready to make you pay with your nose for even the slightest mistake. That’s one of the notable reasons you need a legal practitioner that can protect your business in a court of law.  Commercial lawyers are trained to represent businesses or organizations in court. Depending on the complexity of the charges, they may appeal before a judge on your behalf or appear in a courtroom to defend every charge against your business. Your business may not survive the test of time without a legal representative’s aid.  Commercial lawyers don’t just show up in court to defend. They will help prepare court documents and petition on your behalf if there’s a need for further or lessened legal action. They will also advise you on handling a court case and the legal process. If all that is done correctly, you can be sure of not losing . 2. Preparation of legal documents Commercial lawyers don’t just draft legal documents for court cases. As a matter of fact, they are responsible for writing every legal document associated with the daily running of your business. The list of some standard legal documents that your commercial lawyer would help you draft includes: Please take note that it costs much to write legal documents. If you don’t have a commercial lawyer who works for your business, you may have to pay for each of the papers separately, which will be a considerable amount of money. Commercial lawyers studied law. So, they know how to interpret every legal terminology in a document and also make sure you do everything according to the standard of the direction of the region where your business is situated  3. Advise on legal matters  Commercial lawyers understand every aspect of business law. With that knowledge, they will advise you on legal matters. They help you watch your business practices and raise observations when they notice your business is about to operate outside the region’s law. Commercial lawyers will also help you draft internal policies that protect your business against damages, unnecessary costs or lawsuits. Commercial lawyers possess a deep understanding of business law, making them essential in navigating the complexities of SMSF setup costs. By keeping a close eye on your SMSF practices, they can identify any potential breaches of regional laws and provide timely observations. Their guidance in drafting internal policies is crucial for protecting your SMSF from financial liabilities. 4. Fixing legal problems  Your commercial lawyers will stand by you anytime your business faces legal problems. They will ensure you don’t spend more than necessary when a court case or any legal issues arise between the company and your customers. Commercial lawyers know the best ways to gather evidence to favour you in the courtroom. They can go to any extent to make sure your business is back on track with the same esteemed image without losing money and customers  5. Relating to other businesses Your commercial lawyer will also stand as your business representative when it’s time to negotiate with other companies. During the negotiations, your lawyer will ensure the deal is in your business’s best interest. If you hire an in-house commercial lawyer, his goal will be to cut costs and save money for you in every bargain. 6. Ensuring your business complies with government policies With commercial lawyers as part of your legal team, you can rest assured your business is in tune with the rule of law, whether on a local, state or country level. That’s why your commercial lawyer must actively participate in your decision-making process. That way, they will guide the other team members on how to comply with the law.  7. Teaching ethics of business Commercial lawyers are not only experts in business law, but they also understand business ethics. They will teach other staff members how to behave and relate with customers to gain more patronage. Lawyers are good psychologists; they understand customer behaviour. 8. Protecting your business property  Commercial lawyers will also help to protect your business’s assets and properties. Mainly,

9 Best Alternative Careers for Commercial Lawyers
Commercial Law, Law Advisors

9 Best Alternative Careers for Commercial Lawyers

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At times, the heat and stress of managing every legal aspect of large businesses may pile up and become unbearable for commercial lawyers. At this juncture, mental fatigue would set in, and the legal practitioner who is expected to defend the interest of a business continually would become unmotivated to carry on his legal responsibilities.  Aside from stress, many other things may cause a commercial lawyer to lose interest in the current role and dream of having a fresh start on a new career journey. If you are also at that juncture, don’t fret. We have decided to help you with excellent recommendations that will give you a new experience. Let’s explore the list of alternative careers for commercial lawyers. 1. Entrepreneur or business owner  Starting your own business could mean starting a solo practice to starting your legal consulting firm or marketing agency.  As an entrepreneur in the law industry, your understanding of issues in the market is your advantage. If you are a commercial lawyer constantly thinking there is a better way to deliver excellent legal services and provide a commendable client experience, starting your business will allow you to create solutions to meet client needs.  If this resonates with you, consider everything it takes to switch from being a commercial lawyer to becoming a successful entrepreneur and start an incredible journey. 2. Content Writer Put the interview, writing skills and research to good use by telling great stories as a legal content writer. You can write high-quality legal content with your vast understanding of the law and the points of commercial lawyers. Some content writers choose to do freelancing, which is essentially owning your business. Others work as an in-house advertising team or at an advertising agency. In addition, law firms, legal technology companies, and other legal-adjacent organizations may prefer marketers who have studied business law on their CVs. So don’t be shy to share your experience when exploring those options. 3. Compliance Officer A popular alternative career for commercial lawyers, compliance officers work in-house and help companies comply with local, state, federal, and international regulations. Compliance Officers can also be the company’s counsel, and there are opportunities in various industries. 4. Politician It’s no news that many political leaders are well-versed in the law. That is because most of them went to law school. Based on research, 40% of modern-day politicians went to law school. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of the law is essential to a career path of a politician. In addition, your in-depth analytical and problem-solving skills as a commercial lawyer will be necessary for a life in politics.  Of course, transitioning into politics is easier said than done. It always demands more than one thing in the long run. However, one way to connect with a local political party is to work on a campaign for a leading politician and be actively involved in everything they do.   5. Professor or Teacher The world of academia may be pretty hierarchical. Nevertheless, if you enjoy teaching, you can shape the next generation of sound commercial lawyers and law professionals. Moreover, with your law degree and understanding of the legal industry, you are in the best position to contribute to the restructuring and growth of law schools.  By leveraging your passion for teaching, you can impart invaluable knowledge to aspiring commercial lawyers and law professionals, molding the future generation. Moreover, your legal expertise enables you to play a pivotal role in the cost-effective restructuring and expansion of law schools. 6. Policy Advisor Policy advisors are essential in any organization when working with elected officials, chief executives, and senior officers. The role of a policy advisor is excellent for those interested in developing regulations and policies. Some duties include evaluating information to develop policies and providing solid recommendations. If you consider that role properly, you will see it’s not far from what you do as a commercial lawyer. 7. Legal Sales Representative or Account Manager If you are a social person who is excellent at creating, growing and maintaining relationships with others, this client-facing duty would be significant for you. In addition, with your legal training and experience, you will understand the problems of legal practitioners best. And you will be well-equipped to help solve those problems. For example, you might try reaching out to companies that provide services to law firms and commercial lawyers. Then, connect with someone in their sales department to learn more about their role and responsibilities. 8. Author If you are a well-versed commercial lawyer, why don’t you write some books about the experience you have accrued over the years of your active practice? For the record, not all authors write fiction novels. Perhaps you have always wanted to help law students succeed or impart your wisdom as an experienced commercial lawyer to young attorneys. If you love writing, but don’t want to be a marketer, consider writing a book. There are multiple ways to become an author—self-publishing is becoming increasingly attainable. You could also consider contacting a publisher to sell your book. Regardless of how you publish your writings, be prepared to put some work into marketing and selling your manuscript. That is key to landing a publishing contract and selling your book. 9. Staff at a legal technology company  By joining the legal technology industry, you can help transform a world filled with many opportunities, like the paradox between the demand for legal services and the roadblocks law firms face when finding business. The exciting world of legal technology may be an excellent idea for you if you have always been interested in what the changing world of technology means for the law and how it’s practised—and you’d rather be a part of it. On A Final Note Embarking on an alternative career from being a commercial lawyer doesn’t have to be scary. A career change is always challenging, and the ability to take a financial step back varies from person to person. That’s why it’s essential to set personal and professional goals at the beginning of your search. As

Best Tips For Commercial Lawyers To Build A Strong Network
Commercial Law

Best Tips For Commercial Lawyers To Build A Strong Network

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For busy commercial lawyers, taking time to attend networking events might seem easier said than done. So how do you ensure you get the best shots of your networking efforts? First, of course, you can master the art of bringing up conversations, but if you want to get your image and brand out there, we advise you to take your efforts further. We have put together these legal networking tips to help you do that, including advice for preparing and attending events and beyond. Whether you are networking with fellow commercial lawyers or attending non-legal events relevant to your practice area, these tips will surely set you up for success. How To Succeed At Legal Networking 1. Do your prep work If you approach a lawyer networking event like an obligatory annoyance and do minimal prep work, your results aren’t great. But before going to a legal-associated networking event, prepare for the session ahead. Ask yourself: What is the demographic going to be like? Is this an event for commercial lawyers? Investigate the topic that will be discussed, if it is a seminar or someone is giving a lecture, and research the event a little so you can talk about everything confidently later. It will probably be more engaging than saying, “So, what’s new in this event?” 2. Have a line ready When anyone asks who you practice, be ready with a short but detailed answer. This line should be enough to get the discussion flowing and to help everyone you meet to figure out if and how the people can help you and vice versa. For example, if a person asks who you are, you might want to say that you are a commercial lawyer focusing mainly on divorces. What if you also prepare critical questions to ask other legal practitioners when networking? For instance, “What are the biggest challenges at your law firm? What have you found works best for commercial lawyers like us?” 3. Remember, It is not about you; it is about them If you want to experience delightful interactions where the other professional is fully engaged, don’t do the networking all about yourself.  That is true of any conversation, especially at a lawyer networking event where the purpose is to create mutually beneficial relationships. Ask what the other commercial lawyer does and what clients they help. These conversations will help refer clients beyond your practice area to lawyers you have networked with.   After all, you are more likely to get referrals from a lawyer you are e referred clients to. Additionally, it’s valuable to know skilled lawyers in other practice areas. These excellent connections make it easy for you to refer clients confidently. Referrals are another way to get more people who need legal advice. Even if they don’t use your services, they will likely remember their positive and continuous interaction with your referral. Eventually, every interaction is an opportunity to provide a client-centered experience and build your brand.   Even if individuals do not end up utilizing your services, they will remember the positive experience and continuous interaction through your referral. Each interaction is an opportunity to provide a client-centered experience, reinforcing your brand and reputation. 4. Don’t just do it only when you need to For commercial lawyers, networking is a continuous process, so make it an essential part of your life. Continuously network, go to premium events, and meet new people. It is a skill you build that needs to be refined constantly—and if it is any consolation, it will get easier. Build on your expertise and skills by attending local legal-oriented events or industry-leading conferences where smaller networking events are broken out by different areas or practice areas of interest. Making lawyer networking a habit also becomes less tedious, even for introverted people. 5. Follow up Suppose you meet another prolific commercial lawyer who might send you business, follow up with them. People meet hundreds of other legal professionals, which means that unless you have a 3D business card, it will get lost in the shuffle. Even if you are highly talented at having great and memorable discussions with everyone you meet, following up with an instant email will cement your acquaintances’ memory of you and help you begin cultivating that relationship. 6. Online legal networking groups In our digital world, networking is no longer limited to in-person events. Commercial lawyer networking websites and community hubs such as The Law Community can benefit commercial lawyers in diverse ways. Online legal networking websites and groups can offer professional assistance, help you stay up-to-the-minute with industry trends, and help you to connect with other legal professionals.  7. Get involved in the  local community As mentioned earlier, you need to build a regional reputation. It is an essential factor contributing to your business development strategy. However, your relationships in your community will be meaningful as well. 8. Be seen and heard Attorney networking and business development are essential: building relationships and being accessible. “You must cultivate relationships consistently. But you also need to be heard and seen so that people remember you when they need a commercial lawyer.” 9. Go up and down for clients to earn more work Meeting people is the first step in business development. The grit and gristle come in finding ways to cultivate healthy relationships as issues come up. To stand out, you must do good work—and provide a client-centred experience. You have to go up and down for people. That is how they remember you. Anyone can hire someone to do a job, but if you take it in a way that surpasses their expectations, that is where people start to talk.  On A Final Note Most commercial lawyers get 40% of their new clients from referrals every year; If you want more new clients from referrals, it is best to provide an easy way for other commercial lawyers and past clients to recommend you. Make sure your friends and family have business cards they can hand out, but also make it easy for them to explain how

ST. CHARLES COUNTY FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
Family Lawyers, Law Advisors

St. Charles County Family Law Attorney

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Even amicable divorces are difficult — reestablishing your family structure to a new paradigm takes time and patience. Grief is a natural reaction. Even when the change is something you know is best for everyone involved, in order to move into a new life you have to part with the old one. Charles E. Bridges understands the complex emotions that you are feeling. Professional, with more than 30 years experience as an attorney, Mr. Bridges combines compassion and dedication to your case, resulting in you case as being as smooth and stress-free as possible. Family Law Legal Counsel When you retain the Bridges Law Firm you can be assured of personal attention and sound guidance. Many decisions that you are making now will have long-term consequences. The Bridges Law Firm focuses on detailed, goal-oriented case preparation. Listening carefully to your current concerns and your hope for the future, lawyer Charles E. Bridges offers legal advice and counsel on the best way to achieve those goals. The Bridges Law Firm provides legal representation and has had success in the following family law areas: Experienced | Effective | Efficient A native Missourian, proud to represent the people of St. Charles County, attorney Charles E. Bridges provides comprehensive, qualified legal guidance and representation in the area of family law. Having successfully prosecuted, defended and represented hundreds of clients/cases in both court and jury trials, attorney Charles E. Bridges has the skills and experience to aggressively represent your best interests. Please contact us for an initial consultation. For the last consecutive 17 years, Charles E. Bridges has received the Martindale-Hubbell A.V. Preeminent rating* — the highest peer review rating for legal ability and ethics. Martindale-Hubbell disclaimer: * AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards. More to read: The Impact of Sound Superannuation Strategies

St. Charles County Property Division Lawyer
Property Law

St. Charles County Property Division Lawyer

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When you are moving on to a new life, you may be wondering what things from your old life will be moving with you — property and debt division is one the biggest areas of concern in a divorce. Bridges Law Firm has more than 30 years of legal experience and is available to help you determine “yours, mine and ours.” Marital Property And Debt: Yours, Mine And Ours. Simply put, dividing the marital property and determining how much of the debt is apportioned to each party involves first ascertaining which property belongs to which spouse: The simple fact that you acquired property during the marriage does not automatically mean that it belongs to both of you. There are certain instances when property belongs solely to one party. For example, if you owned a home before you were married and sold it in anticipation of moving to a marital home, and then invested the equity you acquired from that sale in an account that was never co-mingled with funds after the marriage, the entire balance in that account belongs to you and you alone. Similarly if you took the money from that sale and put it into an account that was added to, withdrawn from and added to again with funds from the marriage, the account may be so “co-mingled” that a judge would rule that it belongs to both of you and must be split. The same applies to debt — debt that you acquired before the marriage is likely to be deemed solely yours. In certain cases, however, a credit card balance that your spouse acquired during the marriage may, depending on the circumstances, be considered marital, and though you may have never used the card, you may be responsible for half the debt. A lawyer is certainly essential to this process. At the Bridges Law Firm we want our clients to keep what is theirs and receive a fair split of both marital property and marital debt. Experienced | Effective | Efficient A native Missourian, proud to represent the people of St. Charles County, attorney Charles E. Bridges provides comprehensive, qualified legal guidance and representation in the area of family law. Having successfully prosecuted, defended and represented hundreds of clients/cases in both court and jury trials, attorney Charles E. Bridges has the skills and experience to aggressively represent your best interests. Please contact us for an initial consultation. For the last consecutive 17 years, Charles E. Bridges has received the Martindale-Hubbell A.V. Preeminent rating* — the highest peer review rating for legal ability and ethics. Martindale-Hubbell disclaimer: * AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards. More to read: Customised Advice for Optimal Retirement Planning

Criminal Defense
Criminal Law

ST. Charles County Criminal Defense Attorney

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Criminal Defense & DUI Former Missouri Prosecutor Fighting For You Facing criminal charges can be a stressful situation. At the Missouri law office of Bridges Law Firm, we know that criminal charges or convictions can create serious ramifications, including job loss, and the inability to get a job or rent an apartment. We will aggressively defend you against all criminal accusations — from simple misdemeanors to serious felony charges and work to minimize the consequences of your situation. Schedule a Free Criminal Defense Consultation When you are facing criminal charges, an experienced defense attorney can help you understand your rights and protect them. At Bridges Law Firm, we know the criminal system inside and out, and we will put our knowledge to work for you. Bridges Law Firm’s successful representation of a pastor is chronicled in the book Guilty Until Proven Innocent. At Bridges Law Firm, our defense attorney’s success in protecting the rights of a falsely accused pastor is a testament to our profound understanding of the criminal system. Applying this knowledge, we safeguard your interests and empower you to make informed decisions. With us, you’re in capable hands throughout this crucial undertaking. Lawyer Charles E. Bridges has more than 30 years of criminal law experience. With extensive prosecution experience, he knows how the other side will approach your case, and he knows how to successfully defend you against their arguments when you are facing criminal accusations for crimes including: With more than 30 years of legal experience, Bridges Law Firm has successfully prosecuted and defended hundreds of criminal cases. Whatever crimes you have been accused of, we will put together an aggressive, thorough defense — helping you receive the best possible outcome for your case. A native Missourian, proud to represent the people of St. Charles County, attorney Charles E. Bridges provides comprehensive, qualified legal guidance and representation in the area of criminal defense. Having successfully prosecuted, defended and represented hundreds of clients/cases in both court and jury trials, attorney Charles E. Bridges has the skills and experience to aggressively represent your best interests. Please contact us for an initial consultation. For the last consecutive 17 years, lawyer Charles E. Bridges has received the Martindale-Hubbell A.V. Preeminent rating* — the highest peer review rating for legal ability and ethics. Martindale-Hubbell disclaimer: * AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards. More to read: 8 Ways Commercial Lawyers Can Save Your Business

Child Custody
Family Lawyers

St. Charles County Child Custody Lawyer

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Without a doubt, the biggest concern and question in any divorce that includes children is: where will the kids live? As parents, our time with our children is precious. The thought of that being minimized can be particularly difficult. The Bridges Law Firm understands your concerns and is available to explain and help you make the best decisions possible. In times past, mothers were largely awarded sole physical custody with fathers receiving visitation time. But courts have moved past that default paradigm and are open to many custody options. Custody, Visitation And Parenting Time The fact is, there are as many custody arrangements as there are families. If the court can see that the best interests of the children are being met, you and your spouse have the opportunity to create any combination of parenting time that suits you. The courts look very favorably on parents who can work together to develop a new family structure that benefits everyone involved. Bridges Law Firm has the communication and negotiation skills necessary for reaching an amicable agreement between the parties. The ability of parents to collaborate and develop a family structure that benefits everyone is highly valued by the courts. At Bridges Law Firm, our skilled family lawyers possess excellent communication and negotiation skills, enabling us to guide families toward reaching amicable agreements. See Also: Best Tips For Commercial Lawyers To Build A Strong Network There are times, however, when one parent feels very strongly that sole physical custody with him or her is the only option appropriate for their children. If this is acceptable to the other parent, there is no issue. But more often than not, the other parent will not agree to that arrangement. In those cases, attorney Charles E. Bridges has the litigation and courtroom experience that is essential to advocate for his client. As a former prosecutor, lawyer Charles E. Bridges has the familiarity with, and respect of, the St. Charles county judiciary. You can therefore be assured of the best possible presentation of your case, should it go before the court. Experienced | Effective | Efficient A native Missourian, proud to represent the people of St. Charles County, attorney Charles E. Bridges provides comprehensive, qualified legal guidance and representation in the area of family law. Having successfully prosecuted, defended and represented hundreds of clients/cases in both court and jury trials, attorney Charles E. Bridges has the skills and experience to aggressively represent your best interests. Please contact us for an initial consultation. More to read: 9 Best Alternative Careers for Commercial Lawyers

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