Welcome to the new year at Tan and Tan Lawyers

Dear friends

How quickly the year passed and we are already on the 7th day of the new 2015 year.

2014 has been a good year for Tan and Tan Lawyers. The practice has continued to thrive and at the end of the year, we may have become the first law firm in Western Australia to move their server to the cloud with the Windows Azure system.

We also saw the move from Lawware, the practice management system we have been using for over 5 years to Infinity Law. Infinity Law is the latest and most comprehensive legal software system I have seen.

I have been grateful to my staff for their hard work in 2014. I am sure they will enjoy 2015. We had our end of year celebration at Murdoch Pines Driving Range which is owned by Matt and Yuli, who are clients and friends of ours.

The staff had a great time followed by dinner at a great restaurant at Success also owned by a client.

Well, today, we all return to work and are grateful for the break. Have a good 2015 everyone.


Raymond Tan

How to choose a family law lawyer, Repost of an article by Gary Direnfield

Dear readers

Just got sent this info from Gary Direnfield who is a Canadian writer with Hamilton Spectator, a Canadian newspaper. I thought the article was very relevant and decided to repost it.

Direnfeld: Lawyer will set the tone for divorce discussions

Hamilton Spectator

By Gary Direnfeld

SEE MOREarticles from this author

 

Q: I just separated and I am furious with my ex and I am worried about how we are going to care for the kids. I met with a few lawyers, but I am having trouble picking one I should work with. Do you have any suggestions?

 

A: The lawyer you chose will likely set the tone and direction for your entire settlement process.

Choosing a lawyer who will only channel your upset into that settlement process will likely escalate conflict and prolong settlement. The higher the conflict and longer the settlement process, the greater the costs, financially and emotionally. The likelihood of continuing a reasonable co-parenting relationship will also be diminished as the residual anger will live on way past any settlement achieved.

In choosing a lawyer, you want someone familiar with the issues you are grappling with; someone who maintains a practice committed to family law; and most importantly, someone who won't tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to know.

If your lawyer only strokes your ego, seeks to appease you and act as your mouthpiece, then you may have one that will inadvertently ratchet up the very conflict that prompted your separation in the first place.

Further, if your lawyer is ready to jump to action only on the basis of your account of issues, then too, your conflict may be inadvertently escalated.

Find a lawyer who appears reasonable, listens closely, yet seeks to understand what may be prompting the issues on the other side and also looks to understand your own contribution to distress. After that, consider the lawyer who supports nonlitigious strategies to achieve settlement. These include mediation, collaborative law and lawyer-assisted negotiation. Your lawyer should be able to explain the differences in these approaches and if your lawyer cannot or appears dismissive of them, move on.

Remember, your lawyer is not your therapist. Do not work out your anger with your ex through the legal process, but attend counselling if that is an issue. You want your lawyer to remain reasonable and help you focus on peaceful resolution even if addressing challenging issues.

Update on the Royce and Edie Hoy Poy Foundation for Aged Care Inc

Dear readers

Many of you will remember Edie and Royce Hoy Poy who were very much involved with the Chung Wah Association and their care of the aged in the association.

Edie and Royce  left their estate in my care together with Theresa Kwok, Thomas Goh and Esther Chang. She also involved her nephews Grant and Neville and her niece Jacquie Farrace in the foundation which she asked me to set up to help the aged.

It has been a good 3 years since Edie passed away. I have been plodding along trying to find a property to perpetuate her wishes of looking after the aged.

The Foundation has finally purchased a block in Thornlie which is about 910 sqm.

Please visit http://www.hoypoyfoundation.org.au to read about the foundation and what we are doing for the aged.

Do drop me an email if you think you can help.

Night.

Raymond Tan

Buying a franchise business

Dear readers


Are you thinking of buying a franchised business? It may be a good idea especially if you have never been in business before. However, the first step is to get advice to make sure the franchise is a good fit for you. Have a listen to the videocast below for some hints.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Raymond Tan

Location:East Perth,Australia

Do you want to sign a bank guarantee?

Dear readers

I just saw a client regarding the signing of a bank guarantee.

I had previously blogged on the perils of signing a bank guarantee. The blog post is at http://tanandtanlawyers.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/do-you-want-to-be-guarantor.html


For those who do not like to read. Here is a videocast on why you should not sign a bank guarantee.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Raymond Tan

Location:East Perth,Australia

Loans of moneys to children

Dear readers


What happens when you transfer moneys to your children to buy a property?

Was there a loan of the money or were the money gifted to them.

This may have serious consequences if your children then split up with their spouse.

Have a listen to the Videocast.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Raymond Tan

Location:East Perth,Australia

Do you want to be a director of a company

Dear friends

If you are being asked to be a director of a company, I suggest you listen to this podcast.



Directors of companies have significant responsibilities especially if the company is found to be insolvent. So tread with care if you want to be a director.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



Raymond Tan

Location:Terrace Road,East Perth,Australia

Location:East Perth,Australia