Our Practice Areas
Accredited Divorce & Civil Mediation
Amy Findlater has completed Skills in Divorce & Civil Mediation as hosted by the Law Society of South Africa and Legal Education and Development (LEAD) and is NABFAM accredited.
Mediation is becoming the preferred option in settling divorces without the necessity of incurring significant legal fees, the certainty of what each party is awarded whilst navigating away from the usual acrimony with opposed divorces.
Mediation offers the certainty of what each party is awarded whilst navigating away from all the issues relating to that end by allowing the parties the ability to be in control of the outcome of the divorce process.
Why mediate your divorce?
- Mediation is less expensive than litigation;
- If the disputes are settled at mediation, the divorce will proceed substantially quicker than if it were to be litigated;
- A mutually agreed upon solution as opposed to solutions that are imposed by a court and are more practical to the parties;
- Compliance with the agreement reached as parties feel they were actively involved in the decisions and agreement reached thus resulting in less matters proceeding to court after the divorce for non- compliance with the agreement reached;
- Workable and practical solutions reached are appropriate to each individual matter as each case is treated in an individual manner.
If you would like assistance in a mediation or have any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact Amy Findlater of our offices.
Commercial and Corporate Law
The Corporate Services side of our practice draft many agreements for our clients, including, but not limited to:
- Sale of Business Agreements
- Sponsorship Agreements
- Advertising Agreements
- Loan Agreements
- Sale Agreements
- Lease Agreements
- Distributor Agreements
- The setting up of companies and their registration
- Shareholders’ and members’ agreements
- Sales of shares, members’ interest
- Commercial agreements in general
Trademarks
Findlater Attorneys can facilitate the registration of trademarks with the Registrar of Companies.
Debt Collections
Cash flow is crucial! We will assist you with the recovery of monies owed to you. We cater for all sizes of businesses from sole proprietors to large corporations.
Findlater Attorneys prides itself on an extremely effective debt recovery system to ensure client satisfaction and short turn- around times with all instructions. Our experience in this field equips us to assist our clients in identifying which debts are worth pursuing through the court system. We assist our clients in the entire process from initial demand of payment, court procedures and possible sale in execution.
We consider ourselves specialists in the interpretation and application of the provisions of the National Credit Act.
Criminal Law
Findlater Attorneys is equipped to assist clients with various aspects of criminal law.
Please contact one of our dedicated litigation attorneys to discuss how we can represent you from representing clients upon arrest, to bail applications through to trial representation and appeal hearings. We will advise you on every step of the matter from initiation of proceedings to trial.
Civil & Litigation Services
Findlater Attorneys appreciate that litigation is the core of law and therefore we have a strong and dedicated team that steers the department. The civil litigation department deals with a wide variety of matters including but not limited to general litigation, evictions, urgent applications, interdicts, mandamuses and personal injury litigation.
Findlater Attorneys will advise you on every step of the matter from initiation of proceedings to trial, and we can even assist you in settling the matter out of court saving you time and money.
Family Law
From marriage breakdown, maintenance, matrimonial causes to deceased estates executorship: these are areas of law requiring sensitivity and objectivity: we believe our professionalism is what leads to increasing referrals.
- Divorces
- Custody & Access
- Children’s Court Applications
- Maintenance
- Guardianship & Sole Custody
- Parenting Coordinator
Deceased Estates and Estate planning (Wills & Trusts)
Deceased Estates
Findlater Attorneys appreciates the deeply personal and emotional impact that the death of a loved one or family member has on bereaved persons. During this emotional time, we will be there to assist in finalising the deceased estate, wherein the burden of dealing with the procedural aspects of winding up the deceased estate is handled by us thus allowing you to grieve for your loved one or family member without the added complications associated with the winding-up process.
The winding-up process can be complicated and distressing therefore we assist our clients in fulfilling the duties of the executor as fast and efficient as possible. We will assist you in all the procedural aspects from reporting the estate to the Master of the High Court, to finalising the liquidation and distribution account.
Heirs Disputes
The passing of a relative or loved one can also lead to confusion and conflict between the parties. Disputes between the parties over the division of the estate are all too commonplace and often lead to an irretrievable breakdown in relationships. We provide a service whereby we mediate and assist in dispute resolution. Our aim is to ensure that all the relevant heirs receive what is due to them in a fair and equitable manner, thereby helping to reconcile the differences between the parties.
Types of Deceased Estates
Testate (with a will)
Testate estates can be finalised within a period of six to twelve months, depending on various factors such as the size of the estate, the number of bequests and the debts owing by the estate.
Intestate (with no will or invalid will)
Intestate estates usually take a considerably longer period of time and are usually finalised with a period of eighteen months. It is for this reason that we always recommend to our clients that they have a valid will drawn up as it will spare their families and loved ones the long process of having their estates wound up.
Estate planning
The preparation of Wills, the formation of Trusts and Estate Planning in general, require specialised skill and insight, which we are proud to offer clients. Keeping abreast of developments in the law and trends in taxation is essential in offering a professional service in this field. At Findlater Attorneys we are able to offer the expertise clients expect and need.
Conveyancing Services
Our attorneys are ready to attend to your residential property transfer if you are aiming to purchase or sell a residential or commercial property. We transfer all residential or commercial property types: sectional title, free title, agricultural and commercial.
We provide competitive quotes for conveyancing solutions are experts in the procedure of transferring the legal ownership of a residential or commercial property.
Our qualified and certified conveyancing attorney can help you deal with your conveyancing transactions.
Correspondent Attorney Services
We offer Correspondent Attorney Services for the Howick Magistrates Court, Impendle Magistrate’s Court, Mooi River Magistrate’s Court, Pietermaritzburg High Court and Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court (District and Regional)
Accredited Parental Co-ordination
As an accredited Parental Coordinator, our firm provides professional support to separated or divorced parents struggling to implement or maintain parenting plans.
Parental Co-ordination is a child-focused alternative dispute resolution process that helps reduce conflict, improve communication and ensure that parenting arrangements are followed in a way that prioritizes the best interests of the children.
With accreditation, we are qualified to guide families through ongoing issues, helping them resolve disputes without returning to court.
Let Our Experience Be Your Guide