Banks and law firms create unnecessary issues and confusion by insisting that a lawyer can act for an intestate estate (where there is no will) before letters of administration are granted. This is wrong in law and wrong in practice.
[Read more…] about If there’s no will, no lawyer ‘acts for the estate’ until letters of administration are grantedProblem with your lawyer?
At least once a month (and sometimes more than once a week), I am approached by someone who has a problem with their lawyer – usually in a different part of the country from where I am.
If you have a problem with your lawyer, the first port of call should be the lawyer. Email them, or make an appointment to see them (and take a support person with you).
Your lawyer can’t ‘sack’ you without your consent
‘Difficult’ clients sometimes find themselves without a lawyer after they reject the lawyer’s advice or are impolite to the lawyer, or if they want to progress proceedings in a way that the lawyer disagrees with.
In New Zealand (unlike several overseas jurisdictions), lawyers are not allowed to cease acting for a client for that reason. [Read more…] about Your lawyer can’t ‘sack’ you without your consent
Keep others honest and yourself humble – it’s legal to record your phone conversations, without disclosing the fact
In New Zealand, that is. Do NOT rely on this if you are outside New Zealand.
In general terms, if you are on a phone call to someone else, you may record that call. Except in special circumstances (e.g. if you are a member of a profession with a specific ethical code that requires disclosure, or if specific contractual provisions apply), you are not required to disclose the fact that you are recording. [Read more…] about Keep others honest and yourself humble – it’s legal to record your phone conversations, without disclosing the fact
