Early Advice

We cannot emphasise too much that if you are involved in something where you are going to need legal assistance, the sooner you contact your lawyer the better. A lot of people are reluctant to contact their lawyer at an early stage for fear of the cost. However in the long run, an early meeting may save you a lot of money and stress. For example, if you are buying or selling property, it always pays to let your lawyer have a look at the contract before you sign it, not afterwards.

Appointments

While we do try to see people when they call, it is preferable if an appointment is made. That enables us to plan our day and devote the necessary time to your matter. Often for various reasons, such as being in Court or being with somebody who has made an appointment, we are unable to see you if you just call in.

Similarly with telephone calls. It may not be possible to speak to you on the telephone if you ring but if you leave your phone number then we will ring you back as soon as possible.

Charges

It may be helpful to you at the outset to discuss what the costs will be. In some cases, such as property transactions, we can give you a pretty clear estimate of what the cost is likely to be. In other matters, such as litigation, it is not so easy. Often it is difficult to know exactly how a case is going to develop. It may be in that situation you would like us to be involved until a certain level of costs has been reached and then reconsider your position.

Disbursements

Often in transactions we have to pay out on your behalf various Government imposed fees such as Court filing fees, registration fees. These can easily become substantial. We may ask you to make an initial payment to cover these disbursements.

Preparation for an interview

It may be helpful for you to make up a list of the main points on which you require advice:

1. Deceases Estates
   Your lawyer will need a full list of assets and liabilities together with the latest bank statements, insurance policies, information on all shareholdings, a list of beneficiaries with full names, dates of birth and addresses.
   
2. Wills and EPA
   We have brochures on Making a Will and Enduring Powers of Attorney. Please ask our receptionist for these.
   
3. Relationship Matters
   A written case history including full names and ages of spouse and children will help your lawyer. A list of your relationship assets is also helpful.
   
4. Court Work
   Please be sure to being with you an documents you have been served with and sufficient information to enable our Court lawyer to quickly identify the issues.
   
5. IRD Numbers
   Please provide numbers for all entities.
6. Property Transactions
   Please bring your drivers licence, passport or other photo identification. We now need these for land dealings.

Areas of expertise

As the largest firm of lawyers in the Wairarapa we are able to assist you in areas of the law which include the following:

1. Asset Planning
2. Buying & Selling Businesses
3. Buying & Selling Farms or Farmlets
4. Buying & Selling Houses
5. Commercial Law
6. Commercial Leases
7. Criminal Law
8. Employment Law
9. Family Law
10. Local Body work
11. Maori Land
12. Notary Public
13. Relationship Property
14. Resource Management
15. Separation/Custody
16. Trusts
17. Wills/Estates

In legal matters, no publication can take the place of professional advice. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information in this publication, it should not be treated as a basis for formulating decisions without further professional advice.