Hello my people

I will be sharing tips that would help you avoid mistakes when buying land, building, real estate and property generally.

I have 17 years experience as a Lawyer, hold a PhD in Property and Business Law and I run a Property/Real Estate and Business/Commercial Law Firm with office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Sit back, relax and ensure you take note of all the free legal tips I will be sharing in this space.

Amongst the numerous property acquisition and investment options, buying land appear to be some of the most favoured. Land is an essential part of human existence and sustenance. It is a valuable commodity that has proven to have a high appreciation in value over time. Land could be bought to develop it for commercial purposes, personal uses or for land banking.

Land banking is the act of buying land as a future investment and with no immediate or specific plans to develop it. Such purchase is usually made to allow the land appreciate in value over time. However, buying a land or house in Nigeria, as indeed so many other places, is a venture that ought to be embarked on with carefulness, tact and a thorough and detailed understanding of what it truly entails.

Depending on how you go about land purchase, it could be either a huge source of relief and deep-seated happiness or a thorny source of agony, sadness and regrets. In order to avoid regrets in land buying transactions, this legal epistle will guide you in practical terms and a simplified form to avoid issues that usually arise in land purchase transactions.

It is expected that you will pay very close attention to these practical guide to safeguard your hard-earned funds and save yourself the hassles of land and house ownership tussles.
We will now proceed to consider each of those steps that must be taken when setting out to buy land. Each is as important as the other, and none should by any means be considered less worthy of attention.

Little things in land buying truly matter as serious legal issues could indeed be woven around those seemingly little matters. Let us now dive into considering each of these guides.

There is an all-important need for a land purchaser to, at the earliest possible time, engage an experienced property and real estate Lawyer to kick-start the process of buying land or house. Bear in mind that not every Lawyer is adequately equipped to handle land buying transactions. Experience is key.
Such Lawyer is trained to navigate the intricacies, processes and issues around buying of land, and there is no gainsaying the fact that his professional input is most-needed and from the genesis of the land buying venture. Not along the line, in the middle of it, after payments have been made or when things go south.

Engage the services of a Lawyer as soon as you decides to acquire land or house, for proper guidance. Let the Property and Real Estate Lawyer guide you every step of the way. Most importantly, follow legal advice. It is one thing to engage the services of a Lawyer and another thing to defer to your Lawyer in his area of expertise. It could be a bit pricy or costly, but in the long run it is worth every penny spent. Do not be penny wise pound foolish.

It is pretty easy for a Lawyer to smoke out red flags, fraud and suspicious issues at the early stages of the process. You can be sure that consulting a Property Lawyer will protect your land interest. Native intelligence will not be of much help to you in the process of acquisition of land or house. Buy smart.

WHEN BUYING LAND/BUILDING, EMBARK ON DUE DILIGENCE (INVESTIGATIONS) BEFORE PAYMENT

One of the most costly mistakes that people make in buying land/building and which has proven to come with very terrible & mostly irreparable negative consequences is the failure to do due diligence before committing to land transactions.

Due diligence is a conscious effort to investigate ownership and issues affecting the land/building you have set out to buy. Probe and ask questions. Do discreet and covert (secret) investigations.

Scrutinize every information given to you by the vendor and his representatives/agents.
Do not to take this for granted. Things are not usually the way they seem. Make proper findings.

Family land cannot be validly sold without the consent of the family head and principal members of the family. So ask yourself these questions: Who truly
owns that?

What truly is the size or boundary? Are there legal issues surrounding the property? Could it be subject to government acquisition or
already acquired by the government for public interest purposes? Is there a
pending legal dispute or issue that if you are aware of, would make you have
a rethink over the buying?

The list is long. It never ends well when things go wrong. You would have to battle with imminent or definite loss of investment. Don't be caught off-guard. Some cases are beyond remedy.

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INVOLVE COMMUNITY LEADERS WHEN BUYING LAND OR BUILDING IN RURAL AREAS

It is important that you bear in mind that community chiefs, elders and leaders are in the best position to point you in the right direction when buying land in rural areas. Engage them secretly while doing the transaction and seek to know where the true ownership of the land lies.

They are in a position to show you the true boundaries too. Inform them of your desire to buy the land and seek their inputs. Engage as many of them as you can, but be sure that their input is not tainted with malice or ill will.

This will eliminate incidents of fraud and misrepresentation of facts as they
will indicate to you which is community or family land as well as the true
identity of the owning family. Note that in rural areas everybody knows
everybody.

So it is quite easy to elicit or get factual information on your purchase interests.

If you need legal help with these or any property/land/real estate or business/commercial matter or transaction, call or Whatsapp Apex Chambers, best Law Firm of very experienced Property/Real Estate and Business/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Counsel, Advocates, Attorneys and Notary Public with 17 years innovative practical legal experience and offices in Port Harcourt and Lagos, Nigeria, any day, anytime and from anywhere in the world.

WHEN BUYING LAND/BUILDING, TAKE YOUR TIME; DON’T BE PRESSURED TO FAST-TRACK THE BUYING

It is advisable that you don’t let the vendor or his representatives mount pressure on you to speed up the buying process. More often than not, vendors who pressure the buyer to hasten up are not genuine.

Consider being pressured a red flag and proceed with caution. When such pressure comes, diffuse it. Downplay it and don’t budge. Don’t abridge, overlook or do away with any part of the land buying process.

The major aim of mounting pressure is usually to make the buyer ignore what should be given proper attention. Land/building/house buying should not be an emergency transaction.

There should be no urgency in it. Take painstaking steps to be double sure. Take your time and make your findings and insist on what needs to be insisted on. Be immune to pressure from your vendor and his agents.

It is in your best interest that you be that way. Don’t be too quick to part with your money.

CONSULT A BUSINESS LAWYER TO REVIEW YOUR CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT BEFORE SIGNING

Reviewing a Contract or Agreement before signing it is one important step that a lot of persons neglect. This failure to have your contract properly reviewed is largely responsible for terrible legal consequences for persons.

Many unfavourable terms in Contracts/Agreement are usually drafted with legal jargons and in some cases language that appear simple yet with an unintended meaning.

It is in your best interest that you consult an experienced Business Lawyer to have your Contract and Agreement thoroughly reviewed and make valuable input before you sign it.

Such review will ensure you have clear terms and conditions; compliance with laws and regulations; identify potential risks; ensure inclusion of favourable terms; identify ambiguities; ensure that the Agreement is legally enforceable and ultimately protect your business and property rights and interests.

So don't be in a hurry to sign a Contract/Agreement. First, engage a very reliable expert Business Lawyer and Attorney to help you review the Contract or Agreement, and follow his legal guidance.

If you need help with Contract or Agreement review, call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers, foremost Law Firm of very experienced Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Advocates, Attorneys and Notary Public with 17 years practical legal experience and law office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, anyday, anytime and from anywhere in the world.

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YOU WANT TO BUY PROPERTY? THEN GET A PROPERTY LAWYER

One terrible mistake that persons who buy property, land/house, and which comes with very devastating legal consequences is not consulting and engaging a Property Lawyer who is a trusted expert in Property and Real Estate transactions.

Make no mistakes about it, neither a surveyor nor an estate agent, estate manager (who is not a Property Lawyer) real estate company or the likes is competent or suitably qualified to guide you through the right legal process of acquiring property, land, house/building or any piece of real estate.

It is in your best interest to secure the legal services of the best professional - a Property and Real Estate Lawyer - who is adequately trained and experienced to give you reliably legal advice; help you conduct complete due diligence (investigations) over the property; review ownership documents belonging to your vendor/seller; draft and prepare comprehensive property, land/house purchase documents that will perfectly protect your legal property and financial interests.

You don't go to a mechanic when you're sick. Do you? So why engage a person other than a very experienced Property and Real Estate Lawyer when you want to buy property, land or house/building?

You owe yourself a duty to consult the right Lawyer and have peace of mind.

If you want to buy a property, land, house/building or transact in any piece of property or real estate, contact Apex Chambers, top Law Firm of Property Lawyers & Attorneys in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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HOW TO ADOPT A NIGERIAN CHILD OR BE A LEGAL GUARDIAN

A legal guardian is a person other a child's biological parents who is legally empowered to assume the role of a parent, live with, take care of and take decisions in the best interest of a person below 18 years of age.

If you're a Nigerian living abroad and seeking to adopt or be the legal guardian of a child in Nigeria to enable the child live with you abroad, you will need to consult a Lawyer who is very experienced in child adoption and legal guardianship to help you through the process.

This will including the administrative process and securing a court order for adoption or legal guardianship.

Some persons make the mistake of adopting a child or becoming a guardian without taking proper legal steps for adoption or legal guardianship.

This puts you at a big risk of flouting the law and facing severe legal consequences for anything that happens to a child that you're not legally empowered to adopt or be his/her guardian.

These negative consequences may include rejection by immigration (visa rejection), unlawful custody of a minor, child abduction, child trafficking & criminal breach of child rights laws.

So thread with caution. We strongly advise that you follow the legal process of adoption or guardianship so as to secure your legal position.

If you need legal help with child adoption or legal guardianship, call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers, best Law Firm of Lawyers & Attorneys in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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DO YOU WANT TO APPLY AS GUARDIAN OF A CHILD OR INCAPACITATED PERSON IN NIGERIA? HERE IS HOW TO

In Nigeria, guardianship is a legal process where an person or organization is appointed to care for a child or an incapacitated person, managing their welfare, property, and financial affairs.

A child here means a person below 18 years of age.

Guardianship gives you rights and responsibilities just like the parents of the child.

The following persons or organizations can apply for guardianship:

1. Relatives of the child or incapacitated person.
2. A family friend or acquaintance with a genuine interest in the person's welfare.
3. A non-governmental organization (NGO) or charitable institution.
4. The court can also on it's own appoint a guardian if no one applies.

Consult a Lawyer: Engage the legal services of an experienced Lawyer to guide you through the process of guardianship. Guardianship involves a legal process and only your Lawyer can help you through the whole process.

Your Lawyer will file a petition for guardianship at the relevant court, and there will be a Court hearing where the Magistrate will review the Guardianship application and supporting documents; conduct an inquiry into the applicant's suitability and, most importantly, consider the best interests of the child or incapacitated person.

Need legal help with child guardianship application? Call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers, top Law Firm of Lawyers, Solicitors & Attorneys in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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NEVER BUY A PROPERTY, LAND/BUILDING IN THE ABSENCE OF YOUR PROPERTY LAWYER

Yesterday Apex Chambers, foremost Law Firm of expert Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Advocates, Counsel, Advocates & Notary Public with 17 years practical legal experience and law office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, received a call from a new client.

He said his online search for the best Property and Real Estate Lawyers led him to Apex Chambers, and he needed us to conduct comprehensive due diligence (investigations) on a piece of land that he wanted to buy at Rukpokwu near Port Harcourt.

He consulted us to, if the land has no issues, prepare a comprehensive land purchase document for him.

When you want to buy property, land or building, there's an all-important need to consult a reliable Property or Real Estate Lawyer/Attorney to thoroughly investigation the property and ensure that there are no ownership tussles, acquisition matters or other legal, regulatory, official or environmental hinderances.

This legal investigation will determine whether or not you will continue with the purchase of the property, as it will help you expose hidden legal issues surrounding the property.

It is instructive to note that the awareness on the need for due diligence in property buying transactions is gaining grounds.

Buy smart.

If you need legal help with due diligence, drafting and preparing of property or land/building purchase documents, call, WhatsApp or email Apex Chambers, Port Harcourt.

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HOW TO LEGALLY ADOPT A CHILD IN NIGERIA

Child adoption is the permanent legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from one a person or couple (birth parents) to another person or couple (adoptive parents).

Child adoption in Nigeria is a legal process where a person or couple assumes parental rights & duties for a child, permanently transferring care & custody from the birth parents or guardians.

This process creates a new, lifelong relationship between the child and adoptive parents.

It involves legal documentation and transfer of parental rights as birth parents relinquish their parental rights, adoptive parents assume full parental responsibilities and the adopted child becomes a full member of the adoptive family.

Adoption Process in Nigeria:
1. Application: Submit application to the relevant State Govt Ministry.
2. Home Study: Assessment of prospective adoptive parents' suitability.
3. Matching: Identification of suitable child if you have no child of choice or interest.
4. Placement: Temporary care before adoption
5. Court Proceedings. Legal adoption finalization.

Note that there are legal requirements a person or couple seeking to adopt a child must meet, such as right age, good physical and mental health, stable income, background check and security clearance.

Adopting a child is best handled with the help of a seasoned and experienced Lawyer/Attorney.

If you need help with child adoption, contact Apex Chambers, top Law Firm in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

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WHEN BUYING LAND OR BUILDING, CONSULT THE BEST PROPERTY LAWYER

A few days ago, a middle age business owner contacted Apex Chambers, top Law Firm of very experienced and trusted Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Advocates, Attorneys, Counsel and Notary Public with 17 years solid legal experience and office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

He was interested in buying 5 plots of land at Imo State, Nigeria, and he said he has monitored the legal service delivery of Apex Chambers and had full confidence in the ability of Apex Chambers to conduct due diligence (investigations) over land/building and and also draft the most comprehensive land/building purchase documents for him, that would adequately protect his property interests.

Truly, we appreciate the confidence our numerous clients home and abroad have in us and we always ensure we deliver only the best legal services.

So if you're a high income earner and you want to invest in property or real estate, to buy land/building with the consciousness that you need to have your property interests, investment and funds duly protected from wrong investment decisions, scammers/fraudsters, properties with ownership and acquisition issues and such other disputes and unfavourable state of affairs, call, WhatsApp or email Apex Chambers anyday, anytime and from anywhere in the world.

Prioritize your peace of mind and the security of your property and real estate investments.

BUYING A SWAMP RIG

A swamp rig, swamp barge or marsh rig is an oil drilling rig designed to operate in swampy, marshy or shallow waters. They are best suited for onshore drilling in swampy areas & offshore drilling in shallow waters.

They have elevated platforms or barges to keep equipment above water and mud; long legs or stilts to stabilize the rig in soft or unstable terrain; foundation systems to distribute weight and prevent sinking.

Their design allows for safe and efficient drilling operations, making them essential for oil and gas exploration in certain regions.

Buying a swamp rig in Nigeria involves these legal steps:

1. Verification of Ownership: Confirm the true owners through receipts, invoices and certificate of ownership.

2. Confirm Registration: Ensure it is registered with Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (formerly DPR) and NIMASA.

3. Conduct Environmental Impact Assessment.

4. Valuation: Determine the rig's value through an independent assessment or appraisal.

5. Sale Agreement: Draft and execute a Sale Agreement or Memorandum of Agreement, not MOU, outlining terms, conditions and payment arrangements.

6. Payment & Transfer: Facilitate payment and transfer of ownership.

7. Tax Clearance: Comply with tax requirements.

8. Deregistration: Deregister the seller as owner.

Consult an experienced Property Lawyer to help you draft and prepare legal documentation and to ensure compliance with legal regulations throughout the process.

Apex Chambers, Property Lawyers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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HAVE A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH EVERY BUSINESS PARTNER, NO MATTER HOW CLOSE

This point must be made and taken very seriously: no matter how close your relationship is with the person you want to enter into a business or financial partnership with, always consult an experienced Business/Commercial Lawyer to draft and prepare for you a comprehensive Business or Partnership Agreement to secure your business and financial interests.

The Business Lawyer will prepare a solid Partnership or business Agreement with adequate terms and provisions that will safeguard your legal interests and ensure you don't lose out when things go wrong. Remember, things are not always the way they seem. What you consider harmless may turn round to be your greatest undoing.

Money has a way of changing people to something else. So don't let your guard down completely and trust any person. Do don't be a victim. Be proactive.

If you need legal services for business partnership or indeed any business venture, call, WhatsApp or email Apex Chambers, best Business/Commercial/Corporate and Property/Real Estate Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Advocates and Attorneys in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, anyday anytime and from anywhere in the world on +2.3.4.7.0.3.0.8.6.8.6.9.4

HOW TO RECOVER MONEY IN THE BANK ACCOUNT OF A DEAD FAMILY MEMBER

Yesterday night a new client (a middle age Senior Civil Servant) called Apex Chambers, top Law Firm of very experienced Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Attorneys & Notary Public with 17 years sound legal experience and law office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

He briefed us to help him recover money in the Bank of his dead close relative. We had a legal consultation session where we carefully gave him legal guidance on the best way to have access to the money and the details of the legal process.

He briefed us to kickstart the legal process of retrieving the funds and follow it through till the money is released by the bank.

If you lose a close relative who left money in the bank and you have no access to the money through ATM card, Bank app or other means of access and you want to get the money, then consult a Property Lawyer to help you apply to the Probate Registry of a Court to mandate the bank to pay you the money.

The process involves a formal application; getting a death certificate, affidavit of next of kin; affidavit of death; passport photographs; newspaper publication, etc.

A Property Lawyer is in the best position to help you achieve retrieving the money.

If you need legal help with recovering money left in the bank by a dead family member, call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers anytime, anyday and from anywhere in the world.

BE LEGALLY PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE

In legal matters, just as in other life matters, it is better to prevent the occurrence of a sad incident than to cure it after it has already happened.

In the course of our long-standing legal practice at Apex Chambers as Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors and Attorneys, we have come to the realization that a good number of persons only seek legal services, legal consultation and legal help when their legal issues have gotten out of hand.

This is a wrong approach to addressing legal issues. There's a huge limitation to how much a Lawyer can do for you when things go bad. So don't wait until things go wrong before you brief or engage a Lawyer.

This is why we always advise that you ensure that before you go into any transaction, financial arrangement, business or indeed any legal endeavour, you should first consult a reputable Lawyer to guide you properly so as to avoid taking steps that will come back to hurt or hunt you.

A huge number of persons today are paying dearly, and suffering, for terrible miscalculations that consulting a Lawyer would have helped them stay out of such trouble.

It is always better to avoid falling into legal errors than to take costly steps to remedy legal mistakes. Be legally proactive, not reactive.

If you desire legal services, legal consultation to clear your legal concerns or get expert legal guidance, contact Apex Chambers from anywhere in the world.

INVESTIGATE THAT PROPERTY, LAND/BUILDING YOU WANT TO BUY

A young Nigerian man who lives and works in the United Kingdom (UK) called Apex Chambers, best Law Firm of Property/Real Estate Transaction Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Advocates & Attorneys with Law Office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

He said he had a land case pending in court over a piece of land he bought in Oyigbo Town, outskirts of Port Harcourt, and it turned out that the land had already been sold to some other person.

He lamented that the land case had dragged in court for years now and he was very frustrated.

It turned out he did not consult a Property Lawyer to conduct extensive due diligence (investigations) over the land to be sure that it had no legal issues whatsoever. Instead, he merely asked his family member to look for a land that he could send money across to buy & build his family house.

This is a sad yet rampant occurrence; a legal misstep while buying property, land/house that comes with depressing consequences. It's best you avoid it happening than to spend scarce resources over a court case. Prevention is better than cure.

So when you want to buy a property, land, building/house or transact in any property, ensure you consult a reputable Property and Real Estate Transaction Lawyer to conduct comprehensive due diligence to fish out all legal issues or troubles with the property/land.

If you need a sound Property and Real Estate Lawyer to help you with these and more, contact Apex Chambers.

WHY YOU MUST HAVE AN INDEMNITY CLAUSE IN YOUR LAND PURCHASE DOCUMENT

At Apex Chambers, as Property Lawyers, we understand the intricacies of property transactions and the need to protect our clients' interests. One often overlooked yet crucial aspect of a Deed of Conveyance is the indemnity clause.

A Deed of Conveyance is a land/building buying document and it transfers ownership from the seller to the buyer. After the sale, unforeseen issues could arise, putting the buyer's investment at risk.

This is where the indemnity clause comes into play, serving as a safeguard against potential liabilities.

An indemnity clause is a provision that mandates the seller to compensate the buyer for losses or damage incurred due to specified events or circumstances. It protects the buyer from ownership claims by third parties, disputes, breach of warrant, false representation, environmental and acquisition issues, etc.

An Indemnity Clause helps in:

1. Risk Allocation: The indemnity clause allocates risk between the parties, ensuring the buyer is not burdened with unforeseen liabilities.

2. Protection of Investment: By providing a safety net, the indemnity clause safeguards the buyer's investment and ensures they are not left with defective ownership.

3. Enhanced Security: The clause offers an added layer of security, giving the buyer peace of mind and confidence in the transaction.

4. Dispute Resolution: In the event of a dispute, the indemnity clause provides a clear framework for resolution, minimizing the risk of protracted litigation.

If you need legal help with these and related legal services, contact Apex Chambers.

WHEN BUYING LAND OR BUILDING, CONSULT THE BEST PROPERTY LAWYER

A few days ago, a middle age business owner contacted Apex Chambers, top Law Firm of very experienced and trusted Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Advocates, Attorneys, Counsel and Notary Public with 17 years solid legal experience and office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

He was interested in buying 5 plots of land at Imo State, Nigeria, and he said he has monitored the legal service delivery of Apex Chambers and had full confidence in the ability of Apex Chambers to conduct due diligence (investigations) over land/building and and also draft the most comprehensive land/building purchase documents for him, that would adequately protect his property interests.

Truly, we appreciate the confidence our numerous clients home and abroad have in us and we always ensure we deliver only the best legal services.

So if you're a high income earner and you want to invest in property or real estate, to buy land/building with the consciousness that you need to have your property interests, investment and funds duly protected from wrong investment decisions, scammers/fraudsters, properties with ownership and acquisition issues and such other disputes and unfavourable state of affairs, call, WhatsApp or email Apex Chambers anyday, anytime and from anywhere in the world.

Prioritize your peace of mind and the security of your property and real estate investments.

HAVE YOU PAID FOR STAMP DUTY ON THAT LAND TRANSACTION? CONSULT A TRUSTED PROPERTY/REAL ESTATE LAWYER TO HANDLE IT

This morning a new client abroad consulted Apex Chambers, leading Law Firm of Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Attorneys in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

He needed legal help with getting stamp duty for 3 pieces of land that he bought in 3 locations.

As you may know, stamp duty is tax you pay on land that you buy.

Paying the stamp duty helps secure your legal interests and ownership of the land as it is a legal requirement that land owners must meet up with the legal obligation of stamp duty.

So always consult and brief a very experienced Property and Real Estate Lawyer to help you get stamp duty processed and your land purchase documents stamped accordingly.

This puts you ahead of others and on a higher standing as it relates to that property. Where someone sues you over that property, the law is that you can only rely on that land document if you have gotten it stamp dutied.

But ensure you don't fall into wrong hands while trying to meet up with stamp duty. There are fraudulent persons who would take your money and give you fake stamp duty receipts and stamping.

Go through the right channel. Go for a reliable Property and Real Estate Lawyer.

If you need legal help with these and other property matters, including drafting land purchase documents, call, WhatsApp or email Apex Chambers anytime & from anywhere in the world.

IMPORTANCE OF PAYING STAMP DUTY WHEN YOU BUY LAND OR BUILDING

When buying land or a building, paying stamp duty is very important. Stamp duty on land or building is a tax paid on legal documents to confirm ownership, ensuring the legitimacy of your transaction and protecting you against fraudulent claims.

Failure to pay can lead to:
- Legal issues and disputes
- Difficulty selling the land/building in the future
- Legal penalties and high fines
- Loss of ownership rights

Paying stamp duty provides:
- Official record of ownership
- Protection against fraudulent claims
- Compliance with legal requirements
- Peace of mind for the buyer

And guess the best part. Stamp duty is only 3% of the property's value – a small price to pay for the security of knowing your property rights are protected. Don't risk your investment – pay stamp duty and ensure a smooth property transaction.

Consult a specialized and trusted Property and Real Estate Lawyer to guide you through the process and help you understand the stamp duty rates, payment procedures and any exemptions or concessions you may be eligible for.

Remember, stamp duty is an essential step in securing your property ownership. Take the necessary step today & avoid potential future headaches.

If you need legal help with your property/real estate/land & building transactions and matters, call, WhatsApp or email Apex Chambers, foremost Property/Real Estate and Business/Commercial Lawyers & Attorneys in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

GET A PROPERTY & BUSINESS LAWYER

Yesterday the Apex Chambers legal team was involved in a property negotiation for a client and the property owner narrated his sad experience.

He put a tenant in his residential property and didn't see the need to get the tenant's bio-data and verify his identify, addresses and occupation & sign a Tenancy Agreement.

The tenant went for an armed robbery operation and was traced to the property.

The Landlord was arrested detained for harbouring an armed robber, and he paid through his nose for his recklessness and indiscretion in the Tenancy transaction. He learnt his lessons the hard way.

Even if the person you're entering into a property or business transaction with is your best friend, don't rely on gentleman's agreement. Have a comprehensive written legal agreement drafted and prepared by a specialist Property and Business Lawyer. Don't leave anything to chance.

Don't get hurt due to trust. Don't let your guard down. People change. People have long-term plans that may not be in your own interest.

So protect your own legal interests so you don't end up biting the dust. Regrets are avoidable. Take practical legal steps to safeguard what is yours.

Engage a trusted & reliable Property and Real Estate Lawyer to help you dodge mistakes in your property & business transaction.

If you need expert legal help in property & business matters, call, WhatsApp or email Apex Chambers, best Property & Commercial Lawyers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

DON'T LEASE A PROPERTY WITHOUT YOUR PROPERTY LAWYER

Yesterday a client in Australia reached Apex Chambers, top ranking Property/Real Estate and Business/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Attorneys and Notary Public in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, through WhatsApp.

He had a Restaurant and he needed to lease for his company a land in Port Harcourt. He needed us to help him negotiate the terms of the lease and draft and prepare a comprehensive Lease Agreement (Deed of Lease) between him and the Landlord.

It is ideal that while embarking on a business or property venture, you engage a very experienced Property and Business Lawyer to get involved in the negotiations and the preparation of the relevant legal documents and Contracts/Agreements.

When seeking to lease a property/land/building, it is not advisable for your Landlord to engage a Lawyer to prepare a lease agreement.

We scheduled a meeting with the Landlord and negotiated the terms of the lease, prepared the written Lease Agreement and concluded the transaction.

Ensure you get your own Lawyer to prepare your Lease or other property Agreement. This is because if you rely on the Landlord's Lawyer to prepare it, chances are that you will end up having a Lease Agreement that is tailored to favour the Landlord. But your own Property Lawyer will include terms that protect your interest.

If you need legal help with any property transaction or matter, call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers from anywhere in the world.

DON'T BUY THAT LAND OR BUILDING/HOUSE IN THE ABSENCE OF YOUR PROPERTY/REAL ESTATE LAWYER

A moment ago, a client called Apex Chambers, best Law Firm of Property/Real Estate and Business/Commercial/Corporate Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors and Attorneys, on phone.

He had interest in buying a building sitting on a piece of land in Port Harcourt and he engaged us to help him draft and prepare a comprehensive Deed of Conveyance (property purchase document).

Three months ago, we had also prepared for him a Deed of Conveyance for a land he had bought in Port Harcourt, and he expressed satisfaction for a legal job well done.

When buying land/house/building, it is in your best interest to get a very reliable Property and Real Estate Lawyer to guide you properly so you don't make mistakes, and for the Lawyer to also prepare the land & building purchase documents containing favourable comprehensive terms and details.

This way, your property interests are fully protected & you don't run the risk of paying for land that has issues like government acquired property, land in dispute, land reserved only for a particular use or uses, etc.

A Property and Real Estate Lawyer would also review your seller's old purchase documents and be sure that there are no unfavourable terms that would affect you or limit your legal rights over the property.

If you need legal help when buying land, building/house, call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers anyday, anytime and from anywhere in the world.

INVESTIGATE THAT LAND/BUILDING YOU WANT TO BUY

Last night through WhatsApp a new client reached out to Apex Chambers, foremost Property/Real Estate and Business Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors & Attorneys with 17 years expert experience in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

He is resident in Italy and needed confirmation if the piece of land (and the land seller's documents) he wants to buy somewhere around Port Harcourt are genuine and, if they are authentic, for Apex Chambers to draft and prepare the necessary land purchase documents (Deed of Conveyance) for him.

He sent us the seller's documents & engaged us to conduct comprehensive due diligence (investigations) to ascertain if he should continue with buying the land or not.

It is of utmost importance for you to first ensure that a very experienced Property/Real Estate Lawyer embarks on a thorough investigation of a property/land/building you want to buy before you venture into paying for it, particularly in these days of widespread fraud and scam.

That way you won't fall into wrong hands and end up losing your hard-earned money over Government acquired land or dispute land . You owe yourself a sacred and legal duty to ensure that you engage a very reliable Property and Real Estate Lawyer to help you secure your property interests.

Don't rely on what the vendor/agents tell you. Seek legal verification.

If you need legal help with these and more, call, WhatsApp or email Apex Chambers from anywhere in the world.

LET A BUSINESS LAWYER DO YOUR CONTRACT REVIEW

Two days ago the MD of a company called Apex Chambers crying out bitterly that his wife who stood as Guarantor of a loan he took from a Microfinance Bank in 2023 had just been arrested by the Police and detained.

He said that he was made to issue 7 post-dated cheques in favour of the Bank as one of the conditions for being given the loan facility, and that he was unable to continue financing the loan repayment because his company had issues, and that the Police are making arrangements to charge her to court today for the criminal offence of issuance of dud cheque.

We asked him if a Lawyer reviewed the Loan Agreement and terms before he signed and he said no. As a borrower, note that it is not in your favour for you to be mandated to issue a post-dated cheque as a precondition for the approval of a loan.

A "dud cheque" is a cheque that cannot be honoured or cleared by the bank due to insufficient funds, closed account, frozen account or incorrect details.

If on the date written on the cheque you do not have enough money in the account you run the avoidable risk of facing criminal charges for issuing a dud cheque.

So it is advisable that you avoid issuing post-dated cheques for loans and that you get a Business Lawyer to review the details of every Agreement before you sign it.

If you need help with these and other business transactions, call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers, top Business Lawyers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
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HOW TO RECOVER MONEY IN THE BANK ACCOUNT OF A DEAD FAMILY MEMBER

Yesterday night a new client (a middle age Senior Civil Servant) called Apex Chambers, top Law Firm of very experienced Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Barristers, Solicitors, Attorneys & Notary Public with 17 years sound legal experience and law office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

He briefed us to help him recover money in the Bank of his dead close relative. We had a legal consultation session where we carefully gave him legal guidance on the best way to have access to the money and the details of the legal process.

He briefed us to kickstart the legal process of retrieving the funds and follow it through till the money is released by the bank.

If you lose a close relative who left money in the bank and you have no access to the money through ATM card, Bank app or other means of access and you want to get the money, then consult a Property Lawyer to help you apply to the Probate Registry of a Court to mandate the bank to pay you the money.

The process involves a formal application; getting a death certificate, affidavit of next of kin; affidavit of death; passport photographs; newspaper publication, etc.

A Property Lawyer is in the best position to help you achieve retrieving the money.

If you need legal help with recovering money left in the bank by a dead family member, call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers anytime, anyday and from anywhere in the world.
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PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND LEGACY; CONSULT A PROPERTY LAWYER TO WRITE YOUR WILL

As we all know, death is an unavoidable end. Ensuring our wishes are respected after we pass away requires a well-drafted will. It requires sound legal expertise and experience in writing wills.That's where a Property Lawyer comes in.

An experienced Property Lawyer who is very knowledgeable in drafting wills will ensure that your will is clear, easy to understand, straight to the point and legally binding.

This will avoid ambiguous language; incomplete or outdated information; unintended beneficiaries, family disputes, etc.

He will ensure solid legal protection of beneficiaries' property interests.

Property Lawyers are experts in
- Estate planning and probate law
- Tax guidance and minimization of liability
- Asset protection and distribution
- Guardianship and trusts

A Property Lawyer tailors your will to your unique needs, address complex family dynamics; business ownership; real estate holdings; donations to charity, etc.

Hiring a Property Lawyer will guarantee that your wishes are respected; your loved ones are protected and your legacy is secure.

Don't risk your family's future or harmony. Consult a Property Lawyer to draft a comprehensive, error-free will.

Invest in peace of mind and get a Property Lawyer today.

If you need help with drafting a will, codicil or other such related succession matters, contact Apex Chambers, best Property Lawyers & Attorneys in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
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WHEN MAKING A WILL, DON'T LET YOUR BENEFICIARY SIGN AS A WITNESS

Before now we at Apex Chambers, best Law Firm of Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate Lawyers and Attorneys in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, have emphasized the importance of writing a will, whether as a man or woman. Writing a will will help secure your legacy and make adequate provisions for your family, loved ones and charity.

While making a will, ensure that a person you bequeathed (gave) any of your property in the will does not sign as a witness of that will.

Witness requirements: Wills laws requires witnesses to the will to be impartial and unconnected to the estate and property of the person making the will.

Conflict of interest: A beneficiary witnessing the will may raise questions about undue influence.

Presumption of bias: There may be an assumption that the beneficiary-witness had an opportunity to influence the testator (person making the will).

The law is that a beneficiary must not witness the will or he may lose the inheritance.

Remember, the right thing to do when you want to make a will is to consult a very experienced Property Lawyer to draft for you a very comprehensive and legally fortified will.

If you need help with writing a will or distribution of your property by way of Deed of Gift or any other property or inheritance matter, call, email or Whatsapp Apex Chambers, Port Harcourt, a physical and virtual/online Property Law Firm anyday, anytime and from anywhere in the world.
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WHY ENGAGING A PROPERTY LAWYER IS CRUCIAL WHEN BUYING OR HIRING AN OIL RIG

As very experienced and seasoned Property Lawyers, we at Apex Chambers stress the importance of expert legal guidance when buying or hiring/leasing an oil rig, whether swamp or land rig. Oil rig purchase or hiring involve complex transactions, unique legal regulatory and compliance requirements and very significant financial commitments.

When Buying or Hiring an Oil Rig, a Property Lawyer will:

1. Title Verification: Confirm ownership and identify potential hinderances.
2. Environmental Due Diligence: Assess liability for site remediation and compliance with environmental regulations.
3. Permits and Licenses: Verify relevant maritime operational permits and licenses.
4. Contract Review: Negotiate and draft sale/hire agreements, addressing issues like indemnity and dispute resolution.
5. Tax Implications: Optimize tax structures and minimize buyer/hirer's liabilities.

The consequences of not engaging a Property Lawyer include costly disputes over ownership or operational issues; environmental liabilities; regulatory non-compliance and losses due to poorly negotiated contracts.

Engage an expert Property Lawyer to navigate the intricacies of oil rig acquisitions. Their expertise ensures a seamless transaction, mitigates risks, and safeguards your interests.

Don't drill into uncertainty. Consult a Property Lawyer today.

If you need the right legal help when buying or hiring an oil rig, contact Apex Chambers.
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