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Jul 31, 2020

Printable Rent Receipt Template

There are a couple of good reasons for issuing a rent receipt:

• It's simply good business practice to keep proper documentation of transactions, regardless whether it's required by law or not.
• Tenants may need receipts for tax purposes and must insist on receipts when making cash payments.
• Our template makes provision to record any outstanding payments, thereby giving the tenant notice to settle before a specified date..

Get your free template here:

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Jul 29, 2020

How to Manage Your Renovations or Constructions

If you're planning to do alterations or a new building project, then cast your eye over our checklist to see whether you've covered:

• Warranty on materials and workmanship
• Insurance by both parties
• Progress payments and the issuing of lien waivers and releases
• The scope of the work
  ...and so much more.

We also provide a variety of free printable contracts and forms for every step or your project.

Continue reading "How to Manage Your Renovations or Constructions"

Jul 29, 2020

Promissory Note Release Form

There are a couple of documents that you as borrower must insist upon receiving.

• Firstly, you need a receipt for every payment made, especially if made in cash.
• Once the loan has been paid in full, you should also insist on a written Release.
• And if a loan was guaranteed under a guarantor agreement, you should also insist on having a release of guarantee.

If your note holder does not supply a release, get your free copy from us and have it signed by the lender.

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Jul 27, 2020

Legality of Holographic and International Wills

What should you do if you do not have the opportunity or means to execute a will in the prescribed format?

Or you find yourself in a foreign country where you do not speak the language and cannot consult with an attorney, but you want to make your last will and testament?

We review last will and testament laws with regard to the following:

• What is a holographic will and how must it be executed?
• Where and when is it legal to have a holographic will?
• Can I have an International will?
  etc.

Continue reading "Legality of Holographic and International Wills"

Jul 27, 2020

Time to Become a Landlord?

There's always a buzz in various media about investment property opportunities - whether commercial or residential - and whether you should or should not put your money in bricks and mortar.

We have always maintained that there's never a really bad time to invest in property. One would try not to buy when the market favors the sellers, but not having a crystal ball, it will be difficult to predict when the market will be at the optimum for buying.

The bigger question is WHERE to invest.

Take a look at our tips and free legal forms for landlords to assist you with managing your tenants and rental portfolio.

Continue reading "Time to Become a Landlord?"

Jul 24, 2020

So You Want to Build Your Brand?

And you would like to do it properly right from the start!

A very important element of your marketing efforts would be your Trademark.

You need to consider the following:

• How to choose your trademark (TM)
• Would you be allowed to register that mark?
• How can you protect your rights?etc.

We'll show you a step-by-step approach to ensure you tick all the right boxes.

Continue reading "So You Want to Build Your Brand?"

Jul 23, 2020

Which Caregiving Option Will be the Best Option for Your Children?

When the caring of minors needs to be entrusted to another adult, whether temporarily or on a more permanent basis, there are a number of ways this can be done.

In some instances there will be no need to get the courts involved and you can make use of our free templates, e.g.

• Temporary Guardianship
• Affidavit of Guardianship
• Power of Attorney for a Child
• Child Travel Consent or Medical Consent, etc.

We provide free forms and applicable guidelines for their use and information for the other instances where you do need a court order.

Continue reading "Which Caregiving Option Will be the Best Option for Your Children?"

Jul 22, 2020

Contract Extension Agreement

It's the nature of the beast that constructions or alterations or remodeling will take longer than anticipated.

It is quick and easy for both parties to just note and sign an extension to the deadline (so there will be no late penalties) with our deadline extension amendment.

Another good idea is to note any variation orders e.g. repainting of an area in a different color or moving plumbing points and especially to note the additional costs that may be incurred because of this extra work.

Make use of our free contractor agreements to avoid possible disputes at a later stage.

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Jul 20, 2020

How We Use Rental Agents for Our Investment Properties?

Agents can be hugely helpful in marketing and finding suitable tenants for rental properties.

But we do not completely rely on their services and the reasons are simple:

Our real estate properties are a valuable part of our retirement portfolio. We therefore actively get involved in:

• Meeting prospective tenants and doing our own reference and employment checks
• Inspecting the property regularly and effecting repairs and maintenance as and when before it escalates into a huge job
• Using one standard lease agreement rather than trying to keep up with clauses and deadlines in a variety of documents.

You can find more landlord tips and all the totally free real estate forms that we use linked to from this page:

Continue reading "How We Use Rental Agents for Our Investment Properties?"

Jul 17, 2020

Executor in a Will

How should you choose the executor in your will?

What happens if you do not name an executor?

And what happens if an appointed person cannot or does not want to serve as executor?

Take a look at this article where we show you how you can make the best decision for your estate.

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Jul 15, 2020

Lease Agreement - Should You Have a Guarantor Clause?

The short answer is no. And this is why:

The lease agreement is between landlord and tenant. And all the provisions within the lease pertains to the warranties and obligations of those two parties.

You need a separate Guarantor Agreement!

This legal document has specific obligations set out that the guarantor must agree to and which the landlord can legally enforce should the tenant default.

You can have additional clauses for co-letting and joint tenancies. It's all provided for on our site - and as always, at no cost to you.

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Jul 13, 2020

Rental Application and Upfront Fees - What is Allowed?!

Landlords are allowed to ask a fee to accompany a rental application. Some landlords may also ask for a move in fee to cover any damages caused to the building during the move.

However!

• There is a maximum limit allowed, depending on the country/state.
• There are rules as to refunds and the time limit within which to refund any money.
• A landlord can incur stiff penalties if he accepts an application (and fees) whilst knowing that a tenant will not qualify because of inadequate income.

Continue reading "Rental Application and Upfront Fees - What is Allowed?!"

Jul 10, 2020

Contesting a Will!

Time is of the essence when you want to bring a claim against an estate or challenge the validity of a will!

• Who has the legal right to contest or challenge a will?
• On what grounds can a will be contested?
• What are the costs involved?
• It is a good idea to add a no-contest clause to your last will and testament?

We review these and other important issues regarding family wills.

Continue reading "Contesting a Will!"

Jul 08, 2020

Selling Your Car Privately?

It's quite straightforward to have a bill of sale that spells out the terms and conditions of your agreement.

We've made it even easier for you, and provide two printable legal forms for either:

• Once-off payment for the full selling price. We also make provision for a holding deposit should you need that.
• Installment sale where regular payments must be made until the vehicle is fully paid.

Get your free legal forms here:

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Jul 06, 2020

Which Power of Attorney Form will Serve Your Needs Best?

You don't need the broad permission typically found in a general power of attorney if you only wish your agent for example, to sell a vehicle on your behalf.

It's very easy to stipulate exactly what, how and for how long you would like your appointed agent to perform any functions for you.

Start off by going through our general guidelines and then choose from our variety of free power of attorney forms to download the specific document that is most suitable for your requirements.

Continue reading "Which Power of Attorney Form will Serve Your Needs Best?"