Scotia Law
239 Brownlow Avenue Suite 104 B3B 2B2 Dartmouth, NS, Canada

Home is where the mask comes off! Owning a home just feels good, am I right? (Like taking your mask off after a long day out and about kinda good!) You don’t have to wait on the landlord to fix something you could take of yourself in minutes.... You can change the paint, floors, yard, or appliances on your schedule, within your budget, to your liking. You get to pay your mortgage every month knowing that, little by little, that home you adore is slowing becoming yours really yours. You get some pretty awesome tax benefits when tax season rolls around like the mortgage interest deduction. You become invested in your community and have the chance to build long-lasting relationships with your neighbors.

Hi! We have a few new followers and haven’t introduced ourselves in a while, so thought it might be time for a few introductions! #teamtuesday starts with Kathleen Lumsden! Kathleen grew up in the small fishing community of Canso, Nova Scotia. She left to begin her studies and graduated from St. FX in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Sociology). Further studies brought her to the Halifax area while she obtained a master’s degree (Sociology) from Dalhousie in 1997.... She completed her Bachelor of Laws from the Schulich School of Law in 2000 and was called to the Bar in 2001.From the beginning, Kathleen focused her legal practice on real estate and wills & probate. That focus and 18 years of experience have developed a thoroughly efficient delivery of services for her clients. The most rewarding part of the work for Kathleen is the genuine development of long time relationships with the people she works for. Stay tuned for more team introductions over the coming weeks!

What makes a will legal? Any adult of sound mind is entitled to make a will. Beyond that, there are just a few technical requirements: 1. The will must be typewritten or computer generated (unless it is a valid handwritten will). ... 2. The document must expressly state that it's your will. 3. You must date and sign the will. 4. The will must be signed by at least two witnesses. They must watch you sign the will, though they don't need to read it. Your witnesses must be people who won't inherit anything under the will. Have questions about having a will prepared? Get in touch, we’d be happy to help!

Creating an estate plan is not the end of the estate plan. Over the years, your goals and desires may change. Family dynamics, finances and even the law may change. It is recommended that you review your estate plan about every three years to make sure the plan is in tune with your current situation.

If you’re dreaming of buying a home this year, the first step is to answer the questions below to set yourself up for home buying success. We’re breaking each of these down on the blog today. +How much can I afford? +How much do I need for a down payment? +How to save: Practice living on a budget... https://www.scotialawinc.ca//this-is-the-year-to-make-the-

Fact. Anyone else miss hugs? Or even hand shakes?

Contract, agreements, signing on the dotted line does it leave you feeling unsure? We totally understand that it can be overwhelming when you’re dealing with binding documents and large transactions, that’s why we’re here to help you through all the details and fine print. We’ll make sure you fully understand what you’re signing and what impact each document has. There is typically lot of paperwork when you’re buying or selling a home or creating an estate plan, but re...st assured, we are here to guide you through it! #estateplanning #realestate #realestatelaw #agreements #contracts #binding #documents #weareheretohelp #halifax #dartmouth #dartmouthlawyers #womenlawyers #estatelaw

Stay safe out there everyone! We are thinking of you, our extended family, as we flatten the curve of the second wave here in Nova Scotia. As always, we are offering a safe and socially distanced environment to ensure your real estate and estate planning transactions go through on time and without any risk. ... Thank you for your continued support, we appreciate you!

A move may mean a welcome change of scenery for you, but to young children it can present an insecure world. This article from @nytimes outlines some great ways to help children cope with the stressors of moving into a new space. https://www.nytimes.com//13/parenting/moving-tips-kids.html

We are big believers in creating and cultivating surroundings that bring you happiness and peace. Your home really should be your sanctuary, especially in the times we’re living in now! What pieces of your home could you not live without? #home #homeiswheretheheartis #spaces #living #surroundyourself #homeowner #homeownership

We aren’t Lion’ the purrrfect home is out there, you just need to find it! #realestatehumour #realestatejokes #laugheveryday #hotmarket #sellersmarket #realestate #halifax #dartmouth #realestatelaw #realestatelawyers #lawfirm #lawoffice #womanlawyers

Pack your boxes! Why putting your house up for sale, now (before the holidays) is a good idea: +Leverage motivated buyers looking to be settled in time for the holidays... +In such a hot market, you may be able to make a profit on your sale, which is always nice at this time of year +Some sellers might be looking to list in the new year, so you’ll have access to more buyers! +This time of year is a great opportunity to showcase the coziness of your home #homeforsale #forsale #home #house #realestate #realtor #realty #realestatelaw #moving #closingday #

Today we remember. Thank you to all of our veterans and current military personnel for everything you have done and continue to do to keep us free and safe. #lestweforget #remembranceday #freedom #canada #dartmouth #halifax #novascotia #weremember #thankyou

Fall is in full swing, it’s time to plan your retirement & estate. Spend the holidays with peace of mind knowing that your long-term planning is taken care of. #estateplanning #yourestateplan #yourlegacy #legacyplanning #visionboard #retirementplanning

Teamwork makes the dream work! We strongly believe this and make sure to spend time together as a team as much as possible. We all work together to process your real estate transactions and estate plans as efficiently as possible. Luckily we have the BEST team out thereyep, we LOVE our team! #teamwork #loveourteam #highlyefficient #womanlawyers #paralegals #weloveourteam #meetourteam #halifax #dartmouth #dartmouthlawyers #womenlawyers #realestate #realtors #realty

Things to do to prepare your home for winter before the snow flies in HRM YES, we said it *SNOW* because, trust us, there is surely no worse time to try to get a heating system serviced than during winter’s first severe cold snap. https://www.forbes.com//its-not-too-early-to-prepare-you/ #home #protectyourhome #winterready #homeprojects #homeownership #homeownertips

8 reasons why you need a good real estate lawyer: Your Real Estate Lawyer: +Protects you from financial loss: your real estate lawyer will be able to ensure that your sales contract is fair and that you’re covered for any issues that may occur with the title or sale.... +Ensures taxes are up to date: understanding what you will be responsible for is very important during closings, having a large tax bill unexpectedly can have negative effects on your purchase experience. +Prepares all legal documents: Making sure all the t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted is a big job and a lot can be missed if you’re not sure what to look for. +Mitigates risk of fraud: Avoid getting caught up in a fraudulent sale by making sure you have someone on your team that knows which red flags to look for. +Navigates contract issues: This is extremely useful if your buyer or seller tries to back out of a contract or hasn’t properly disclosed items pertinent to the sale, also useful if you need to back out of an agreement for any reason. +Protects your financing interests: Your lawyer can help you with the proper wording when creating conditions for purchase or sale to ensure you are protected. +Coordinates paperwork for new construction: For new condo developments especially, there may be incentives to buy, navigating the purchase contacts sometimes require a keen eye to ensure you’re receiving what you’ve been promised. +Offers an unbiased opinion: While most agents will give you honest and fair representation, it is helpful to have a second set of eyes on your paperwork. This is especially important if you’ve opted for a private sale (although this is not recommended!)

Being the safest place to be in NORTH AMERICA is starting to catch wind out there in the rest of the world. As a result, we are seeing more interest in our safe little Atlantic bubble for those looking to relocate, both from other areas in Canada and across North America. Buying and selling during a global pandemic has definitely changed the way things work, but it definitely hasn’t slowed the process. If you’re looking to fill in the missing pieces on what to expect as a home buyer or seller during this time, check the link below! https://www.scotialawinc.ca//what-to-expect-when-buying-or

Anyone else feeling this? We have a feeling our Realtor friends can relate #adultingishard #adulthood #resposibilities #busy #getmoving #halifax #dartmouth #dartmouthlawyers #womenlawyers #realestate #realtors #realty #motivationalmonday #mondaylaughs #mondaymotivation

We love to be a part of the home buying and selling process. We work with Realtors within HRM each and every day to ensure your transactions run smoothly. We know how hard they work to help you with the process, so we want to give them a shout out! Have you bought or sold a home lately? Tag your realtor below!

#HomeBuyerVocabulary This weeks home buyer vocabulary is: CONTINGENT Contingent means that an offer on a home has been accepted, but finalized sales is contingent upon certain criteria; appraisal, home inspection or financial approval.... #home #homebuying #realestate

Calling all parents! Back into the routine, 6-8 weeks with the kid’s back to school and settling in to the new routine. Set some time aside now that everything has settled, plan your estate. As a parent, there are two major reasons to have your estate plan in place: 1. The first, is to ensure that you are able to outline how you’d like your assets distributed among your children and other beneficiaries... 2. The second, is to assign a guardian of your choosing for your children We chat more about it in our blog post, 'Estate Planning for Parents', link is below: https://www.scotialawinc.ca/post/estate-planning-for-parents

Moving is overwhelming at the best of times, but during a global pandemic, well, let's just say a move-in checklist might be just the thing you need. Luckily we have one! Check out all of our move-in tips and tricks: https://www.scotialawinc.ca//the-ultimate-new-home-move-in

Who doesn’t love a little Michael Scott #wednesdaywisdom? It may make you , but we definitely set the bar high here at Scotia Law, we know you wouldn’t expect anything less! #thinkbig #excellence #law #realestatelaw #estatelaw #lawfirm #womenlawyers #halifax #dartmouth #dartmouthlawyers #goals

Or short walks, we're not fussy #closingday #alwaysbeclosing #realestate #dartmouth #halifax

Thanks Stuart, we were happy to work with you to ensure your documents were prepared in time! #home #estate #testimonialtuesday #clientreviews

We love this! Home is so much more than a physical space, it is all about the feelings you have while there. We love working with so many of you while on your journey to finding and creating the perfect home.

Another Monday, another Home Buyer vocab lesson! This is another one we get asked about a lot: Encumbrance: An encumbrance is an instance where someone other than the owner of the property has a claim on it. This includes mortgages, leases, easements or restrictions. An encumbrance does not prevent the transfer of the estate, however, in some cases, it may diminish the value. #themoreyouknow #homebuyer #homeownership

Family. Protecting them is #1. We know that thinking about what might happen if something were to happen to you is difficult and uncomfortable, which is why we make it as easy and efficient as possible to put a plan in place that will give you peace of mind while protecting what is most important. #home #estate #guardian #estateplanning

Friday Funny! In all seriousness though, are you team under or over? #lawjokes... #fridayfunny #lawyerjokes #laugheveryday #fridayfeels #halifax #dartmouth #lawhumour #realestatelaw #irreconcilabledifferences

Wondering what our role is when you buy or sell your home? Let’s break it down: For the purchaser, the lawyer ensures the lender’s conditions are satisfied and the mortgage is properly registered. The lawyer also ensures the funds are collected and paid out to the seller’s lawyer. ... For the seller, the lawyer prepares and signs transfer documents and ensure the documents are prepared properly to receive the title of the property. Now you know! If you have further questions, don't hesitate to reach out. #home #property #estate #buying #realestate

Did You Know? It’s a seller’s market! You’ve likely heard this term a lot lately, or perhaps you haven’t, either way, here is what it means for you as a potential seller: Both inventory and mortgage rates are low right now, which is driving home prices up. Meaning, if your home is priced appropriately, you have a high chance of multiple offers and a very quick sale. The market is busy, and properties are moving FAST, so if you are looking to sell, make sure you have a game... plan in place for where you’ll head next! #sellersmarket #homeforsale #justlisted #overasking #biddingwar #realestate #realestatelaw #halifax #dartmouth #lawfirm #lawoffices

Well, to be fair, it is a brief! #lawjokes #brief #laugheveryday

If you’ve ever been name Executor for a loved one’s estate, you know it can be an overwhelming task! One of the items you may be tasked with is organizing an estate sale to dissolve assets. Today on the blog, we’re chatting tips for holding a successful estate sale. https://www.scotialawinc.ca//how-to-prepare-for-an-estate- #home #estate #guardian #estateplanning #executor

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience. All of the sudden, you have someone other than yourself to consider which can be an overwhelming realization. Planning for the future of your children should something happen to you can be a difficult thing to think about for many, which may be why over 48% of Canadians do not have a last will and testament. Today on the blog, we’re chatting about Estate Planning for Parents. https://www.scotialawinc.ca/post/estate-planning-for...-parents #home #estate #guardian #estateplanning #guardianship #planahead

We get it, planning for and drafting a will is an easily put-off task, but having a will in place can save a lot of hassles for your loved ones, and give you a peace of mind that you may not have known you were missing! Without a legal document in place, the government could end up deciding where your assets go and if you have children, even who will look after them. Taking control of these decisions can make for some uncomfortable thoughts, but in the long run, you will than...k yourself knowing you have a plan in place should the unthinkable happen. #home #estate #guardian #estateplanning

Thank you, Timothy, we thoroughly enjoyed working with you! We are about simplicity! We work hard to create a seamless process to ensure home buying is not just positive but memorable after all it’s one of life’s biggest milestones. #testimonial #testimonialtuesday

#MondayMovingTips Moving can be stressful and with the quick closings happening in the market right now, it’s more stressful than ever. Here are 5 tips to help with your move: 1. Declutter first, so you can pack LESS!... 2. Stay accountable, an hour a day makes a big impact 3. Assign color label to each room 4. Invest in quality moving boxes, to avoid breaking 5. Use the right sized box and don’t leave empty space in the box. Have you moved lately? What tips can you share? #home #dartmouth #halifax #planahead #moving #realestate

Have you heard? We're hiring! https://ca.indeed.com/jobs

But it really does depend!

It's tough to plan for the unthinkable but choosing a guardian for your kids is a must-do for their sakes and for your own peace of mind. https://www.whattoexpect.com//how-to-pick-a-guardian-for-y