Alice Castle's Blog

In seeking a conveyancing solicitor, you may encounter different conditions that conveyancers can subject you to. But it may depend on the conveyancer you choose. First, having a professional handle your home buying and selling protects your interest in the course of the deal. In addition, it also ensures that the process abides by the state’s laws and that you do it right. 

In your search for the right conveyancer, you may encounter a no-sale-no-fee conveyancing term. What exactly is this offer, and how does it work? In estimating this conveyancing process, what does it cost to close the deal? Besides, should it matter whether you decide to hire a legal firm or not? This principle states that if the property purchase fails, you will not pay any legal fees to the solicitor. 

How does this no-sale-no-fee conveyancing work?

The no-sale-no-fee, also known as the no-move-no-fee or no-completion-no-fee principle, thrives on the outcome of the property purchase. Suppose a conveyancer or a conveyancing solicitor does not offer this no-sale-no-fee clause. He will likely charge you some cost even if the property purchase was not completed. As a result, the deal of buying or selling a property may fall out at any point in the proceeding. Anything could even happen in a few weeks into the process.

If this case occurs, the party that hires the conveyancer will still have to pay some legal fees. The fees cover the work that the conveyancer has done up to that point. It addresses the worry that you may eventually pay hefty fees to the conveyancer in the long run. While some research shows that this principle is common for house purchases, others show that buyers eventually pay more without this clause while carrying out the conveyancing process. 

The no-sale-no-fee principle does not remove the fact that you still have to make a small initial deposit at the initiation of the process. But if the deal does not fall through, you owe nothing more to the conveyancer, including the balance upon completion. However, you may still have to pay for the cost of searches done. In all, the conveyancing solicitor is responsible for every legal work on the property sale. 

Who offers no-sale-no-fee conveyancing?

The promise of no-sale-no-fee conveyancing is more often found in online conveyancing. No doubt, it is easier to operate this way to establish trust over traditional conveyancers. It could also be a determining factor to determine your final decision. It may help to decide whether you will choose online conveyancing or you will like to stick to the conventional way. 

Also, before you decide on the conveyancing firm to use, compare the quotes you get from the conveyancing firms. While checking the submitted sections, you should watch the clauses, particularly the no completion and no legal fee guarantee. It is time to examine the cost of conveyancing when the clause of no sale, no fee is present. 

What does the no sale, no fee conveyancing cost?

By comparison, using the no sale, no fee term is cheaper than going to a traditional conveyancing solicitor. A simple difference may be due to the offerings of the conveyancing firms. Ideally, a homebuyer may pay between $800 and $1400 in total fees. Still, the initial deposit may be a fraction of the entire agreement. In addition, you may have to pay the conveyancer the third-party costs, including the running fees and searches.

What does a buyer gain from a no-sale no, fee conveyancing solicitor?

A significant benefit to gain from a no-sale-no-fee clause is that your initial deposit is transferred into a second property. Therefore, it is essential to ask for clarity on some of these terms before agreeing with the conveyancing company. This process can also become worthwhile whether you are sure your first attempt will fall through or not.

Some offers may also attract some limitations on how much you can offer. In our firm, we allow property buyers to get the searches on their next property. This act is that of goodwill for staying with the potential buyer. Suppose the previous deal did not fall through without the buyer having a fault. In that case, we can easily find you another property within a short period for free. 

What costs does the no-sale-no-fee conveyancing cover?

First, any condition on no-sale-no-fee is a guarantee that covers all the legal costs you may have otherwise incurred. However, it does not include third-party costs that the conveyancer incurs, such as arranging a survey of the property area. Also, it does not cover the local searches that the conveyancer puts. It substitutes for the time that the conveyancer spends to examine your case, write letters, or organize things. 

Why home purchases may fail

Statistics have shown that not all property sales or purchase attempts succeed without a hitch. Moreover, the subject we are considering in this article is what you pay if the deals do not fall through. So, we can view some of the reasons why some property sale conveyancing fails. Below are the most common reasons this failure may occur.

Gazumping

Gazumping occurs when a seller accepts a better offer for the property after he has previously accepted a buyer. This case can occur when a market rises for that property. Then the seller suddenly sees an opportunity to earn more from the sale of the property. In such a case, the seller may be tempted by higher offers than the initially accepted one.

Gazundering

Gazundering is the process where the buyer suddenly lowers their offer from the previously accepted one. Although this case is not fair, it is still permitted under the law and is legal. However, the result is that it can derail the transaction and the plan of each party in the deal.

Multiple offers

When a property is suitable, one case will accept more than one offer from multiple potential buyers. Sellers often do this with the hope that the buyer that first exchanges the contract will eventually get the property. 

Break in the chain

One hardly discernible reason many deals do not succeed is the length of the interaction between the seller and the buyer. The longer the chain, the more likely the agreement will fail. The major reason is that you rely on other people’s ability to sell or buy the property within the chain. 

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Many individuals are ignorant and unsure of what to look for while trying to locate the best family lawyers. We’ve been able to put together some advice today that laypeople may utilize to choose the best family lawyers.

OK, let’s get started.

Here are some pointers to help you choose the best family lawyer:

1. Locate a problem-solver via family law – seek for family lawyers who will take the time to comprehend your situation and give many possibilities for resolving it. Generally speaking, going to court should only be done as a last resort. Other conflict resolution methods include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, collaborative practice, and more. Find family lawyers who has the experience and knowledge to assist you comprehend the variety of alternative dispute resolution techniques that are available and to help you think through which strategy would be the most appropriate for your specific set of circumstances. Click here for uncommon but effective benefits of hiring family lawyers.

2. Engage in discussion – give the attorney you’re considering hiring a brief call. You will be able to judge if the lawyer’s strategy is right for you after a quick talk. Find family lawyers whose professional services are organized to provide the finest outcome feasible for your particular situation. Avoid using a one-size-fits-all strategy.

3. Pay attention—you want family lawyers to advise you on your legal rights and duties, even if it is not what you want to hear. It is crucial that you have faith in both your lawyer’s professional abilities and their capacity to speak to you in a straightforward and understandable manner. If the attorney tells you something you don’t want to hear, try not to become disheartened. Your first instinct could be to search for someone else, but it’s likely that you’ll be better off with family lawyers who provides you straightforward guidance than one who would sugarcoat the facts.

4. Look for flexibility – Find family lawyers that appreciates the importance of working with other specialists, such as counselors, accountants, and financial advisors, as necessary, so that you may have a whole picture of your case. Additionally, you want family lawyers that will collaborate with you to lessen the negative effects of legal conflicts on your kids.

5. Spend your money carefully. Look for family lawyers who is both strategic and practical, and who recognizes that you need assistance in coming to a cost-effective settlement. When discussing fees, be upfront and upfront so that you may pick your attorney with knowledge.

Why you need family lawyers

The explanations given here will assist you understand why family lawyers are necessary if you don’t already.

Spend less on legal fees

Much while hiring family lawyers is a big expenditure, choosing to represent yourself may wind up costing you even more. For instance, if you lose your lawsuit, you could have to pay the other party extra alimony or other costs or get less. A family law attorney will be able to present your case and convince the judge that you should be awarded the money you are due, with the other side either getting less or paying less.

Expertise and Background

A family law attorney could consult specialists when a divorced couple has significant assets, a family company, or considerable property. Having a team of advisors and professionals on your side might make or break your case.

Preventing threats

When one person makes absurd threats, it’s often out of annoyance with the circumstance. If not, it can be a blatant misinterpretation of the law or an effort to intimidate. It might be impossible to tell whether these threats are real or not without the assistance of a family law attorney. You could be tempted to accede to demands in order to avoid the possibility of the other party’s threats materializing. However, a family lawyer can ensure that the other party is held responsible and that you are not coerced into an unfavorable arrangement. Visit https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au to get assistance regarding family legal issues.

Call Now for Legal Protection

Family law may be challenging. For instance, you must research hundreds of statutes, keep up with developments in the law, and be familiar with previous court decisions. Therefore, it’s simple to see how someone may be duped when the other side makes frightening statements.

Efficiency

An attorney may do tasks faster than you could because of their expertise and experience, familiarity with court rules and regulations, and access to many resources.

Post-Judgment Amendments Support

Following the entry of the final order, if there is a significant change in spousal support, child support, custody, or parenting time, the parties may submit a request to modify the present order. Child support, parenting time, and custody may all be changed for a good reason or if circumstances change. A family law attorney will have all the necessary knowledge and assistance.

Noncompliance with Court Order

The difficulties that might lead to contempt of court for disobeying the court’s instructions are known to family law practitioners. When it comes to divorce, custody, or child support issues, this may occur at any moment. Even though a court order is supposed to keep things under check, individuals usually attempt to ignore them.

Assistance and Stress Reduction

It is understandable that family-related issues may have a detrimental effect on everyone involved given how emotionally charged they often are, particularly when children are involved. Having your lawyer’s assistance in these situations might reassure you.

They are familiar with the local court system, judges, and law.

Most certainly, a family law attorney with expertise has testified before courts in your area. They will be aware of the judge’s preferences and what is necessary to correctly submit papers in the local court system in order to maintain proceedings on schedule.

Resources

The top therapists, accountants, mortgage brokers, appraisers, financial consultants, Social Security disability lawyers, and personal injury lawyers may be recommended by our lawyers.

Final thoughts

A challenging area of the law is family law. It is crucial to engage a skilled and qualified lawyer who will defend your rights in court whether you are going through a divorce, custody dispute, or any other family law problem.

The post The layman’s method to find the right family lawyers appeared first on Wills & Divorce Attorney.

A challenging area of the law is family law. It is crucial to engage a skilled and qualified lawyer who will defend your rights in court whether you are going through a divorce, custody dispute, or any other family law problem. The following are the top 10 reasons for individuals to think about hiring family lawyers:

1. Having family lawyers on your side is advantageous since they are familiar with the legal process

You may get the direction you need from family lawyers to make judgments about your case that are well-informed. They will be able to support you at every level of the legal procedure and act as your advocate so that you are informed of all your alternatives for resolving the matter.

When choosing a family lawyer, it’s crucial to look for someone who has handled cases comparable to yours or who has expertise managing difficult matters.

See Also: The Impacts of Commercial Lawyers in Negotiation Equipment Rental Agreements

2. Family attorneys are well-versed in state laws

Working with family lawyers who is well-versed in state laws pertaining to child custody disputes, divorce processes, paternity claims, etc. has several advantages since this kind of information is not always accessible online.

If family lawyers do not focus on cases like these, they may not be familiar with how various state jurisdictions within their state handle family law problems.

3. Family law professionals stay current with legislative changes.

They are informed of new laws that can affect you and are up to date on the most recent developments in family law. Working with family lawyers who is knowledgeable with the most recent legal developments is crucial whether you are going through a divorce, custody dispute, or other family legal situation.

As a result, they can manage your case based on what the court has ruled rather than depending on old information from several sources that may be insufficient or wrong. They keep up with developments in case law.

4. A family lawyer makes sure your legal paperwork is completed accurately and completely.

Working with family lawyers is essential whether you are going through a divorce, custody dispute over a child, paternity suit, or any other family law case because they will make sure your legal paperwork and court filings are handled accurately and completely. Before submitting these papers to the court, it is crucial that they comply with all rules since how they are worded might have significant effects on how your case turns out.

They will ensure that all documents are signed, submitted, notarized, and delivered on time to the appropriate court body or government agency in accordance with filing requirements.

5. Experienced in both settlement negotiations and trial work, family law attorneys

To effectively prepare your case for every potential result, you need someone who has experience working in a courtroom. If things don’t work out during negotiations or a trial, going through a high asset divorce without legal counsel might end up costing you more money than what you’re attempting to safeguard.

Additionally, because opposing counsel knows you are unfamiliar with court procedures and will thus take advantage of you if you don’t have adequate representation, it raises your risk of being taken advantage of.

6. You Can Save Money By Hiring A Family Law Attorney

Generally speaking, hiring a lawyer early on will be less expensive. By saving time, hiring a family lawyers may help save money. It will be simpler for you to get through the process as fast as possible if you hire family lawyers after being served with divorce papers and are unsure of where to begin.

If your ex decides they want their own counsel down the road during talks or mediation sessions, in certain situations hiring a family lawyers may even stop legal fees from growing.

7. By contacting a family lawyer, you can prevent bullying.

Legal defense is one of the main justifications for hiring a family lawyer. It will be more challenging for someone to intimidate or influence you if they have expertise and experience in the legal field because they understand that every mistake they make might have major repercussions, such as losing their case or perhaps ending up in jail. This means that if your spouse makes false accusations against you, a knowledgeable lawyer can assist you establish your innocence and defend both your rights and the rights of your children.

A competent family lawyer is aware of the choices available under the current legislation, such as child custody adjustments, visitation schedules, and parenting plans, and can provide all potential solutions based on each individual’s situation, which may or may not entail filing litigation.

8. Because the other party will undoubtedly have legal representation of their own, you should think about hiring family lawyers.

You may ensure that your rights are upheld by hiring family lawyers. You Should Take a Family Law Attorney’s Advice Because family law is multifaceted, it’s essential to be aware of all of your alternatives before making crucial choices about, for example, child custody and property split.

A skilled attorney will be able to assist you through these challenging procedures while, if necessary, defending your legal rights in court. Therefore, engaging a skilled family lawyer might save both parties from needless anxiety or financial loss and provide them more time to focus on themselves rather than legal concerns.

9. Family lawyers are skilled at settlement negotiations

Family attorneys are better at determining what is fair and how to best represent you while bargaining. The opposing side may also be represented by counsel, although they want a speedy resolution. If necessary, your family lawyers will defend your rights in court. Additionally, since he or she has probably dealt with instances similar to these previously, knowing how such cases were decided by courts in the past might facilitate talks.

In many situations, a settlement cannot be made, and the family lawyers are forced to endure a difficult judicial procedure. In order to establish an agreement between the parties without resorting to litigation, family law lawyers will be able to discuss specifics of a case.

10. Family attorneys are skilled in presenting your case.

Family attorneys are skilled in presenting your case in the most favorable light. They have expertise reviewing situations and presenting them in a manner that, given the circumstances, will make you seem as good as possible.

The family lawyers is equipped with all the resources required to help their client come out on top. Because of this, it is crucial to retain a skilled attorney in dealing with family-related matters like custody disputes or divorce processes.

The post Uncommon but effective benefits of hiring family lawyers appeared first on Wills & Divorce Attorney.

You may need large equipment to optimize delivery and improve efficiency if you run a large enterprise. Especially if you are into a business like sand dredging, you will need more large equipment to execute your day-to-day operations. 

Meanwhile, it is not advisable for business owners to purchase this equipment. From a financial standpoint by commercial law, it will affect the strength of a just rookie company and cause unnecessary headaches. But why do you have to spend so much money and effort on equipment when you can easily rent from another company through an equipment rental agreement? It is not advisable.

An equipment rental agreement can save you from a whole lot of inconveniences. But, it may also put you at the risk of higher expenses or wrecking liabilities than expected. That’s why you need the service of a competent commercial lawyer. Click here to get why you need an commercial lawyer to grow your business.

Equipment rental agreements are very tricky. At first glance, you may think things are on a balanced pedestal. However, you need to hire an experienced commercial lawyer to help you have a though check on every word on each page to help you avoid potholes. 

Ideally, it is the responsibility of commercial lawyers to review and negotiate equipment rental agreements. Engaging in some non-binding verbal contracts that are not enforceable will only put you at a disadvantage. Hence, renting equipment should be a legal exercise done by a law practitioner.

What Is Equipment Rental Agreement?

An equipment rental agreement also called an equipment lease agreement, allows a company (whether big or small) to rent large equipment to perform particular tasks for a specific period. Typically, business owners undertake this agreement for two significant reasons. The first is to minimize the upfront costs of production. Secondly, most business owners consider equipment rental if they are not planning to use the equipment for a long time. 

Whichever your reason, you must involve a legal practitioner, like a commercial lawyer, to keep you safe in the process. In this agreement, the owner of the equipment, who is also probably the one renting them out, is termed ‘the lessor’ while the individual receiving the equipment is termed ‘the lessee.’ 

The lessor and the lessee must discuss and agree on all the terms and conditions of the rental activity for the given period. Meanwhile, the equipment rental agreement cannot be proven valid until a commercial lawyer vet it and take necessary legal actions to make the agreement binding.

What Are The Key Considerations In Equipment Rental Agreement?

Indeed, an equipment lease can be super flexible so that the lessor and the lessee can use it to suit their unique needs. However, a commercial lawyer will ensure that specific provisions are made and that the agreement is well-negotiated in both parties’ interests. There are specific vital considerations your commercial lawyer must make on your behalf when negotiating an equipment rental agreement. They are:

Equipment 

The agreement must state the type of equipment the lessor is renting out. Here, the lessor has to be specific by saying the name, model number, and equipment size is given out in the agreement. Your commercial lawyer will ensure the agreement contains well-written equipment descriptions with specific features. 

This idea will help avoid disputes when the lessee returns the machines. As the lessee, your commercial lawyer must check if any part of the machine is detachable and note it in the agreement for future reference. Else, you may put yourself at risk of unplanned expenses.

Term

You may structure the equipment agreement every month with any required term. But all of that must be determined by your lawyer.

Rent

A commercial lawyer will ensure that the agreement contains what the rent will be and how long it will last. Your lawyer will hit you with the most favourable rent terms to help your business, knowing the machines’ usefulness in your company. Not only that, your lawyer will help define the mode of payment that will benefit you the most. He will also provide a helpful guide on how to divide the instalments. 

Termination 

Your equipment rental agreement must expressly state the termination date. Even if you have a cordial relationship with the lessor, there is still a need to include a contract termination clause that will give room for renegotiations in case there’s a change in terms from any party.

Usage Limitation

Any lessee needs to define the usage limit of the equipment. Generally, the lessee will accept the normal wear and tear which may arise as a result of daily use. But abuse is not tolerated. Hence, the commercial lawyer will advise the lessor ad the lessee to agree on a usage limit.

Insurance

Both lessee and lessor must agree on who will be responsible for the insurance on the machine. This aspect is essential for commercial lawyers when negotiating an equipment rental agreement. As a lessee, we will advise you not to settle for an equipment rental agreement that is not insured. It can pose some financial threats to your business in the long run.

Transportation and installation 

The equipment rental agreement must expressly state who will be responsible for equipment moving. Not only that, but it should also say which party of the agreement caters to equipment installation. Your lawyer will hint to you on what to do to be on the safer side. 

Maintenance 

The contract also needs to specify which party of the agreement takes care of maintenance. In most cases, the lessee may offer to handle the maintenance, but he would have factored that into the school feed.

Warranties 

Assurance of safety and quality are core considerations in a typical equipment rental agreement. Commercial lawyers have a solid understanding of all other things required by the law. 

In Conclusion 

Commercial lawyers can help deal with every other essential consideration that must show in your equipment rental agreement. More so, he will keep advising you on what to do at times, as with any other unforeseen occurrences when operating the equipment. Above all, ensure you hire the right commercial lawyer who will always fight for your best interest when negotiating any legal agreement.

The post The Impacts of Commercial Lawyers in Negotiation Equipment Rental Agreements appeared first on Wills & Divorce Attorney.

Taking the wrong legal step could devastate any business, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Whereas big companies have the resources to protect themselves against almost anything, a small mistake for a start-up business could mean losing much money and hitting their reputation. Hiring a commercial lawyer can help save a company in many ways, from contract assistance to employment law advice.

Business owners will better understand the law when they hire a competent commercial lawyer, making it easier to handle the legal landscape of running a business. Commercial lawyers always help companies looking for legal advice and support.

Here are some top reasons you might consider hiring a commercial lawyer.

6 Benefits of Hiring A Commercial Lawyer For Your Business1. Experts in Commercial Law and Litigation

As a business owner, you cannot know everything. You can learn a little about various topics, which can help you work with experts in multiple fields. Still, it is essential to focus on growing and supporting your small business. Business law is not known to many business owners. People only know a few key points of legislation. It would be difficult for you to learn about commercial and business law. But experienced commercial lawyers have spent years in the practice and are keeping up to date with significant changes.

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A commercial Lawyer knows the core [sects of business law and Litigation. They are there to assist you if you think you might be in trouble and to protect your company from making mistakes in the first place. The advice of a commercial lawyer is invaluable to your business. It allows you to make clever decisions about investments, employment, buying or selling new companies, and much more. A typical business owner doesn’t have the expertise to take care of all legal issues. It is advisable to allow the experts to handle it, and you can be sure of making the most sensible choices on your way up.

2. Commercial Lawyers Protect Your Interests

When you hire a commercial lawyer, you know they have your business and interests in mind. They have to offer you advice so you can make the best possible decisions regarding running your business or where to invest your hard-earned money. They also keep you in line with business laws and ethics by providing your staff with their rights. They will also give your client clear terms and conditions for using your services. As a business owner, you need to understand that you are making wise decisions, and a lawyer can help you.

When you work with a competent commercial lawyer, you know your lawyer focuses on protecting your businesses and interests. You work with commercial lawyers who know the relevant legislation and stay updated with any changes. It is essential to hire a lawyer that you trust and whom you can work with closely. That means a lawyer you can’t outsource to another one overseas. But you can enjoy goodies from the services of a devoted commercial lawyer without having to create an in-house legal department.

3. Commercial Lawyers Offer You Different Perspectives

Suppose your business tries to resolve a dispute or deal with a litigation case. In that case, it is essential to know your goals and objectives. Hiring a commercial lawyer will help you have all possibilities laid out in front of you and that you understand everything in simple terms. They can also explain diverse interpretations, approaches, and nuances in a dispute resolution or litigation case. While you might hire in-house employees to scratch the surface of the situations, a commercial lawyer makes you understand every detail to put your just-growing business in the best position. Commercial litigation lawyers help you make the best possible choices and explain everything in detail so you don’t miss a step.

There can be many ways to interpret legal situations; trying to do it without expert help could get you in trouble. If you misinterpret something, it may affect everything you have been doing from the onset or take you out of the best position to get the results you want. Working with a commercial lawyer can make a massive difference to your success, where you must defend your corporation or brand.

4. They Help You Understand the rule of business Law

Commercial lawyers don’t handle all your legal requirements alone. They also ensure that you understand your rights and obligations as the law provides. They can teach you legal rights and unpack what legal and appropriate action to take. Not only that, but they also help you break down what can often seem like a complicated area of law into something much more straightforward. Many of your choices will require you to consider the legality of several actions. Whether you are gathering customer data, hiring new employees, or dealing with a disciplinary case, you must ensure that you protect your business by doing the right thing.

Falling foul of the law could be highly damaging to your business, so there isn’t any room for mistakes. At the same time, knowing your rights as a business owner is essential. You need to know what you can ask your employees and how to protect your business from negative comments and other things that might mar your brand’s image. When an expert commercial lawyer handles your business, you can easily manage compliance 

5. Determine If Litigation Case Is Good for Your Business

You may not know if bringing about a litigation case is suitable for your business unless you are working with a commercial lawyer. Suppose you don’t have legal knowledge or advice; you may take the wrong legal step. In most cases, you are likely to make emotional decisions which can harm your business. However, the services of a commercial lawyer help you avoid making the wrong decisions. 

You can speak to a commercial lawyer to know if it makes sense for your business to enter into Litigation. You can also ask whether you are doing it for the right reasons and know your chances of having positive results. A seasoned commercial lawyer will help you make the right decisions. 

6. Prevent Potential Problems Before They Arise

A commercial Lawyer will help you avoid potential problems and not wait until they happen before looking for ways to solve them. Rather than spending time putting out fires, why can’t you hire a competent commercial lawyer and focus on other valuable things? 

Finally 

Commercial lawyers can advise on how to maintain the rights of your customers and employees. They can also ensure that your contracts are always in top condition and help you make better investment decisions.

The post Why You Need an Experienced Commercial Lawyer to Grow Your Business appeared first on Wills & Divorce Attorney.

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Interesting news from Australia, where a Government-sponsored report  is saying that children under the age of 2 should not watch telly. My immediate, cheap, thought is that, in the land that gave us Neighbours, probably the Government should ban everyone from watching telly. But actually, I love Neighbours and so do my girls.

I do try and limit our exposure to telly, though – hence the cupboard which I’ve made such a big fuss over and which I am, still, madly thrilled with. Somehow, stopping our sitting room from being dominated by that big, black, blank box has made it a room with thousands more possibilities. I’ve even – gasp – caught the girls reading there!

I remember when I first gave up work to look after Child One full time (initially I’d gone back to the newspaper I was working on for three days a week). I asked one of the mothers in the playground, in a semi-joking way, what on earth I could do to occupy my lovely little one, who was then rubbing mud into her hair with the ferocious concentration that only a fourteen-month-old has. She looked at me as though I was from Mars. ‘Television, of course,’ she said.

I was mildly surprised, but I did remember having read stuff about a new phenonmenon sweeping the nation’s cots at the time – Tellytubbies. I duly sat down with little Child One and we watched. She loved it. She loved it so, so much that, when the baby in the sun said goodbye at the end, and sank down beyond the horizon, she burst into tears.

It showed me how real television was to her and, consequently, how powerful it could be. Ever since then, I have rationed what they see, and still do, even though the cries of ‘oh Mummmmmmm’ still ring out. All their friends, they tell me, watch hours of telly, have TVs in their own rooms, and regularly watch 15 and even 18 certificate films.

Mine have now watched the occasional 15, like Love Actually, and I do adore taking them to mindless romcoms at the cinema, but I am glad I’ve never given in completely to wall-to-wall telly, or scary, violent stuff. I’m very conscious, now, of sounding smug, but I’m not – God knows I’ve made some crashing mistakes as a mother and as for my private life, I’ll just say arrrghhhhhh! But I do believe there’s enough rough stuff going on in the real world without watching it on telly at home.

Other resources:
The layman’s method to find the right family lawyers
Uncommon but effective benefits of hiring family lawyers
The Impacts of Commercial Lawyers in Negotiation Equipment Rental Agreements

The post Ban the box? appeared first on Wills & Divorce Attorney.

Five Fab Podcasts

 

I wasn’t sure about podcasts when they first became a Thing – there was a fake chumminess about some of them that I found off-putting. But, come the pandemic, the idea of chatting, or even listening to other people chatting, suddenly became a lot more appealing.

Perhaps it was because my own Child 2 now has her very own podcast, From A to Gen Z, with her talented friend Jaleh (they’re on Spotify and everything), that I suddenly got more interested. I now listen to a few and, just in case you are dipping your own toe (ear?) into the airwaves I thought you might like a few suggestions.

During the recent Line of Duty frenzy (well, it was a frenzy in this house, highest drama ratings of the 21st century, anyone?) I was glued to Obsessed With Line of Duty, with Craig Parkinson, who played Dot Cottan in the early series of the show. In LoD, as we obessionados call it, Dot had an in with the police and with the OCG (do keep up) and much the same seems true in real life, as Craig Parkinson got interviews week after week with the stars playing key roles, ie vile pass-agger Patricia Carmichael, as well as puppetmaster general Jed Mercurio himself. Have a listen on BBC Sounds.Once LoD was done and dusted, forever I fear, I moved on to Craig Parkinson’s other venture, the Two Shot Podcast. This is a bit more of a ramble – but isn’t everything once the urgency of finding H/the fourth man is finally over? Think two actors, possibly only lightly employed thanks to pandemic conditions, and time to fill. Parkinson is an understated questioner, but he certainly wrings some interesting titbits out of his guests. Well worth a listen.If you’re after more of a giggle, you might like my most recent find. It’s been going for yonks, but I’ve only just stumbled across Jenny Eclair and Judith Holder’s Older and Wider. Jenny, comedian and author, is funny and clever, Judith is pleasingly neurotic in a way that makes me feel as though I am a glowing model of sanity. A recent podcast mooted the idea that menopausal women should be given salt lick-style lumps of valium to suck in moments of stress. You can’t really argue with that, can you?Fortunately with Fi and Jane. This one stars Fi Glover and Jane Garvey, and anyone missing Jane Garvey on Women’s Hour will find this a joy. The two chunter on, with the odd fascinatingly waspish aside on BBC so-called talent (I bet they’ll be funny about Martin Bashir, if the lawyers don’t get to them first). They sound like very old friends, but then break into tremendous professionalism when interviewing their guests. A lovely mix.Dear Joan and Jericha is a rather lovely acidic spoof of just the type of cosy chitchat formula podcasts put out by numbers three and four on my list. Acted by Julia Davis and Vicki Pepperdine, I am sometimes amazed at what they get away with. Often eye-wateringly graphic, frequently hilarious, it points a clever finger at the internalised misogyny that women of a certain age often project. Give it a go – if you dare.

Meet the Author – bestselling psychological thriller writer Rachel Sargeant[image error]

Author Rachel Sargeant

It’s such a pleasure to welcome fellow crime writer and Psychological Suspense Authors’ Association member Rachel Sargeant here today. Whether you’re an established writer or an aspiring author with a manuscript in your bottom drawer, I’m sure you’ll find Rachel’s writing journey both fascinating and inspiring.

 

 

Thank you, Alice, for inviting me onto your blog. Here’s a few words on how I got published.

Luck, perseverance and Writing Magazine – I’d say they are three ingredients that helped me.

Throughout primary school, ‘composition’ was my favourite lesson of the week. I even won a prize – three packets of crisps from the headmaster’s tuck shop – for writing about our Year 6 trip to Dovedale.

Through the years of secondary school, university and work, I forgot all about writing for pleasure. That changed in summer 1999 when a palm reader at a party told me I should become a writer. I laughed it off at the time, but it set me thinking and when I saw that there was a crime fiction writing workshop taking place nearby, I went along.

The tutor set a five-minute exercise and when I read my effort out, the other students and the tutor were very complimentary. On the way home, I called into a newsagent’s to grab a drink and spotted Writing Magazine. Still on a high from the workshop, I bought a copy. It contained an advert for the magazine’s annual Crime Fiction Short Story Competition. In a fit of enthusiasm I extended my 100-word workshop scribble into a 1600-word story.

Talk about beginner’s luck. It won the competition. I spent the prize money on the train and overnight accommodation to attend the award ceremony in Harrogate. But better than cash, the win gave me the confidence to sit down and expand the short story to an eighty-thousand-word crime novel.

With more good luck I found a publisher. This took me to 2010 which turned out to be a good year for my writing. As well as having a novel published, I was shortlisted in the Bristol Short Story Prize and I had a story published in My Weekly.

But after that… nothing. I got no more work published. Sadly, my writing reached a never-ending and barren plateau. Eventually I took the expensive decision to do a Master’s in Creative Writing via a part-time, distance-learning course over two years. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent. I came out of the course with: a far greater understanding of the writing craft; a syndicate of other students with whom to share feedback and encouragement – a game-changer for my writing as I still exchange work with three of them some six years later; and a portfolio of the first thirty-thousand words of a psychological thriller.

After the course I completed the thriller and saw an article in Writing Magazine about a literary agency that was interested in my genre. Within two days of sending the synopsis and three chapters to one of their agents, she asked for the full manuscript and took me on soon after that.

None of the mainstream publishers, to whom she pitched my book, wanted to publish, but one editor kindly sent her three pages of suggestions for how the story could be improved. After another six months rewriting, I spotted an advert for an open submission window with HarperCollins Killer Reads in … you guessed it … Writing Magazine (I swear I don’t have shares.) I sent off my submission, outlining the changes I’d made since my agent had pitched it.

Nine months later, the Killer Reads editor got in touch and offered to publish. It became The Perfect Neighbours, a Top Ten Kindle bestseller. My agent also sold it in translation to publishers in Europe.

In the meantime, I got the rights back for the novel that had been published in 2010. Killer Reads took that one too and, armed with the skills I learned on the MA course, I rewrote it. Retitled The Good Teacher, it still contains the micro scene I wrote in that first crime writing workshop.

I’ve since had another psychological thriller, The Roommates, published, this time on the main HarperCollins crime list. This one features sinister goings-on at a university during freshers’ week. When a student vanishes, her new flatmates have to work together to find out what’s happened, little realising the danger they are in.

I’ve now gone back to university myself, this time for a full-time course. Like the MA, my new study involves creating a portfolio. I’m currently researching for a literary thriller.

The Roommates by Rachel Sargeant

About Rachel

Rachel Sargeant grew up in Lincolnshire. She is the author of The Perfect Neighbours, a psychological thriller set in Germany. Her second novel with HarperCollins, The Good Teacher, is a detective mystery, featuring DC Pippa “Agatha” Adams. Her latest psychological thriller, The Roommates, takes place during a university freshers’ week.

Rachel has a degree in German from Aberystwyth University and a Creative Writing MA from Lancaster University. She spent several years living in Germany where she taught English. She now lives in Gloucestershire with her husband and children and studies at the University of Birmingham.

Find out more about her writing and reading on her website: https://www.rachelsargeant.co.uk/

or follow her on Twitter: @RachelSargeant3

or BookBub: http://bit.ly/RachelSargeantBookBubfollow

or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelsargeantauthor/

 

Rachel’s Books

The Roommates

University is supposed to be the best time of your life. But Imo’s first week is quickly going from bad to worse.
A stalker is watching her flat, following her every move, and Imo suspects that her new roommates are hiding dark secrets…

When one of them disappears, the trauma of Imo’s recent past comes hurtling back to haunt her. And she begins to realise just how little she knows about the people she lives with…

Four Students. Four Secrets. One Devastating Lie.

http://bit.ly/TheRoommatesRS

The Good Teacher

Nicknamed ‘Agatha’ by her new colleagues for her Marple-like approach to a crime scene, novice detective Pippa Adams could not be having a worse start to her career at Penbury CID. Then a beloved teacher is murdered and left in a ditch beside a country lane. As Pippa scratches the surface of the school community, she meets families who’ve learned a shattering lesson. And finally she uncovers the good teacher’s darkest secrets.

http://bit.ly/TheGoodTeacherRS

 

The Perfect Neighbours

When Helen moves to Germany with her husband Gary, she can’t wait to meet her fellow ex-pat teachers from the local international school. But her new start is about to become her worst nightmare.

She begins to suspect that all is not as it seems. Then Gary starts to behave strangely and a child goes missing.

When violence and tragedy strike, cracks appear in the community, and Helen realises her perfect neighbours are capable of almost anything.

Behind the shutters lies a shocking secret.

http://bit.ly/ThePerfectNeighboursRS

 

Thanks so much for popping by, Rachel, I loved hearing your story. Must dash now – I’m off to buy a lifetime’s subscription to Writing Magazine

 

Meet the Author with Lizzie Chantree

It only seems like a minute since we were celebrating Lizzie Chantree’s last release, her book Networking for Authors. And now here we are with a fabulous new novel! Lizzie has certainly not been idle during lockdown.  She is an author who is best known for her cheery, upbeat romances, featuring women entrepreneurs. Shh… It’s Our Secret, is the story of how shy Violet finds the courage to follow her dream. It has plenty of the feelgood factor that we’ve come to love from Lizzie. Here she is to tell us a little more about the book.

 

Shh… It’s Our Secret, by Lizzie Chantree

Thank you for inviting me onto your blog today and for the amazing support for the launch of my latest book.

There are lots of ways to boost your mental health and wellbeing. Having people around that you love and trust can help. In my latest book, Shh… It’s Our Secret, Violet struggles with self-confidence and self-worth.

Violet doesn’t want her friends or her sister to view her as a failure. The customers in the rundown café bar where she works have become her confidants. They include two eccentric pensioners, who feel like they have to act as her unofficial bodyguards when her secret ‘escapes’ into public knowledge. Violet will have to find out who has betrayed her and to step out of the shadows and find her voice.

Book Blurb:

Violet has a secret that could change the lives of everyone she knows and loves, especially the regulars at the run-down café bar where she works. After losing her parents at a young age, they are the closest thing she has to a family and she feels responsible for them.

Kai is a jaded music producer who has just moved outside town. Seeking solitude from the stress of his job, he’s looking for seclusion. The only problem is he can’t seem to escape the band members and songwriters who keep showing up at his house.

When Kai wanders into the bar and Violet’s life, he accidentally discovers her closely-guarded secret. Can Kai help Violet rediscover her self-confidence – or should some secrets remain undiscovered?

Buy Shh… It’s Our Secret here: mybook.to/ItsOurSecret

Author Lizzie Chantree

Lizzie Chantree’s biography

International bestselling author and award-winning inventor Lizzie Chantree started her own business at the age of 18. She became one of Fair Play London and The Patent Office’s British Female Inventors of the Year in 2000. She discovered her love of writing fiction when her children were little and now works as a business mentor. She runs a popular networking hour on social media, where creatives can support each other. She writes books full of friendship and laughter, about women with unusual and adventurous businesses, who are far stronger than they realise. She lives with her family on the coast in Essex. Visit her website at www.lizziechantree.com or follow her on Twitter @Lizzie_Chantree https://twitter.com/Lizzie_Chantree.

Book links: Lizzie Chantree.

Universal book buy link: The little ice cream shop: viewbook.at/IceCreamShopByTheSea

  Universal book buy link: Networking for writers: viewbook.at/NetworkingForWriters

Universal book buy link: If you love me, I’m yours: viewbook.at/IfYouLoveMe-ImYours

Universal book buy link: Ninja School Mum: viewBook.at/NinjaSchoolMum

Universal book buy link: Babe Driven: viewbook.at/BabeDriven

Universal book buy link: Love’s Child:  viewBook.at/Amazon-LovesChild

Universal book buy link: Finding Gina: viewbook.at/FindingGina

Social media links:

Website: www.lizziechantree.com

Author page: https://www.viewAuthor.at/LizzieChantree

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lizzie_Chantree

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizzieChantree/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7391757.Lizzie_Chantree

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzie_chantree/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LizzieChantree/pins/

FB Groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/647115202160536/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lizzie-chantree

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lizziechantreeauthor

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnCop-RlAcGqggZG3JfE-Mw