Two months down into the new year, and the saying “new year new me” is still in the air. Just as we plan to get in shape physically, financially and socially , get in shape legally should be a thing. As laws govern almost every aspect of our lives, and in a sense , we can say that we cannot live and operate outside of the law.
Most of us think of the law as what punishes us when we do wrong but on the positive side the law is also there to protect us too. If we choose to use it effectively and efficiently.
FM attorneys recognises how important the law is in our daily dealings and have taken the time to choose to inform you as to how you can get in legal shape for the new year .
These are the top five ways that you can make the law work for you and your future 2023:
1. Getting a criminal record expunged
Trying to build a better future is hard enough without a constant reminder of the mistakes of the past tripping you up. If it has been more than ten years since the date of your conviction, and you fulfil the other criteria, then you can apply to have your record expunged. With a clear record, you have a wider selection of jobs open to you, including being able to travel in and out of the country. You will have the freedom to move and to choose the opportunities you take as you see fit!
2. Legitimise your living arrangements with a cohabitation agreement
Are you living with a fiancé , girlfriend/boyfriend or in a civil union with a life partner ?When you get into a domestic partnership, sometimes it can be complicated to navigate who is responsible for what. A Cohabitation Agreement helps you to formalise each occupant’s responsibilities to the household by asking the questions we might not think of, or be too shy to ask, and providing a binding agreement that can be referred to, should any disputes arise. A cohabitation agreement protects the rights of the cohabitating couple and further clarifies issues bothering on duties and obligations of each party.
3. Time for a new house or car? Use a binding agreement to keep the sale sweet
We’ve all heard stories about how horribly wrong the buying and selling of your house or car can go. If you are planning on selling or buying a large purchase item like a car or a house, it is very important to have legal documentation of the process and what each party is expected to contribute. Sale agreements are a great way of keeping track of the process in a legal and binding way. Unofficially, it’s also a good way to scare off the scammers who will try to avoid putting anything in writing.
4. Get what you’re owed
Waiting for people to pay back the money they owe you is one of the most frustrating situations in the world. Very few of us are in a position to write off debt, so besides the fact that we need the money, we would also like confirmation that they will actually pay us. The feeling of not knowing if you will ever see that cash is sometimes worse than being without it while knowing that it will be paid next week or next month or even never . An Acknowledgement of Debt is a legal agreement that gives you exactly that certainty and makes that arrangement legally binding. If they fail to pay, you can send a Letter of Demand and if necessary summon and litigate against take them in court.
5. New job? Get that contract checked out
There is something deeply satisfying about getting a new job. Especially if it’s been a long time coming and you feel relieved and excited. It can be quite easy to sign on the dotted line without reading the fine print carefully enough, and then setting yourself up for a nasty shock down the line. Instead of waiting until things get out of hand, have any contracts you are thinking of signing checked out by us first. The legal jargon that most of us do not understand can be used to hide loads of things that we would rather not agree to, so it’s worth having a legal eagle cast a sharp eye over the terms, conditions and all that fine print. This way, you can start your new job with the confidence and peace of mind that you have every opportunity to make the best of your employment.
Leave a Reply