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Cummings Attorneys

Built on Relationships
Attorneys • Notaries • Conveyancers

Myth VS Law- Week 1 “If I didn’t sign anything, I don’t have to pay.” We hear this often. Many people believe that unless they signed a contract, they cannot be held responsible. Unfortunately, that is not always how the law works. For example: • You own a sectional title unit. You are responsible for levies, even if you never signed a separate agreement with the Body Corporate. • You receive services and benefit from them. Payment may still be due, even if there is no formal contract. • You agree to something verbally. Verbal agreements can be legally binding. In property matters especially, your responsibility often flows from ownership or conduct, not from a signature. By the time this misunderstanding reaches our office, the matter has usually escalated. Legal costs have increased. Interest has accumulated. Positions have hardened. Before refusing to pay or ignoring a claim because “I didn’t sign anything”, get proper advice. It may save you far more than you expect. Understanding your obligations early gives you options. #legalmyths #propertylaw #litigation #southafricanlaw #cummingsattorneys

Myth VS Law- Week 1

“If I didn’t sign anything, I don’t have to pay.”

We hear this often.

Many people believe that unless they signed a contract, they cannot be held responsible. Unfortunately, that is not always how the law works.

For example:

• You own a sectional title unit. You are responsible for levies, even if you never signed a separate agreement with the Body Corporate.

• You receive services and benefit from them. Payment may still be due, even if there is no formal contract.

• You agree to something verbally. Verbal agreements can be legally binding.

In property matters especially, your responsibility often flows from ownership or conduct, not from a signature.

By the time this misunderstanding reaches our office, the matter has usually escalated.

Legal costs have increased.

Interest has accumulated.

Positions have hardened.

Before refusing to pay or ignoring a claim because “I didn’t sign anything”, get proper advice.

It may save you far more than you expect.

Understanding your obligations early gives you options.

#legalmyths #propertylaw #litigation #southafricanlaw #cummingsattorneys

💝 Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Cummings Attorneys! 💝

Tomorrow is a beautiful reminder to celebrate the relationships that matter most… whether with your partner, your family, your friends… or the trusted partnerships we build with our clients every day.

At Cummings Attorneys, we believe strong relationships are the foundation of everything worthwhile. Just like love, trust, empathy, and open communication create lasting bonds in life, they also form the heart of exceptional legal service.

Whether we’re guiding you through a property transfer, supporting your family matters, advising on business deals, or standing by you in litigation, we’re here with professionalism, care and genuine commitment to your peace of mind and success.

To our incredible clients, colleagues, friends and community: thank you for choosing to build those meaningful relationships with us. We’re truly grateful.

Wishing you a day filled with love, joy, and perhaps a little extra chocolate! ❤️

From the team at Cummings Attorneys
Built on Relationships
| Attorneys • Notaries • Conveyancers |

#HappyValentinesDay
#relationshipsmatter
#cummingsattorneys
#builtonrelationships
#southafricanlaw

Most people have no idea what a Notary Public does… until they hear the terrifying sentence: “Sorry, this document must be notarised.” 😅 Suddenly you are Googling at lightning speed while wondering why you cannot board a plane, why your wedding paperwork has ten extra signatures, or why that overseas deal or new life abroad now needs a stamp that sounds very official and slightly intimidating... Notarial work is like the backstage crew of life’s big moments. You do not see it, you do not think about it, but without it the show does NOT go on. From travelling or moving overseas, to antenuptial contracts, international documents and formal agreements, it quietly makes important things valid and recognised. It is not glamorous legal work like TV shows make it look, but it is the reason many major life events actually happen on time and legally. Be honest… when was the first time you discovered a Notary Public was a real and very necessary human? #notarypublic #antenuptualcontracts #apostilles #notarialdeeds #southafricanlaw

Most people have no idea what a Notary Public does… until they hear the terrifying sentence:

“Sorry, this document must be notarised.” 😅

Suddenly you are Googling at lightning speed while wondering why you cannot board a plane, why your wedding paperwork has ten extra signatures, or why that overseas deal or new life abroad now needs a stamp that sounds very official and slightly intimidating...

Notarial work is like the backstage crew of life’s big moments. You do not see it, you do not think about it, but without it the show does NOT go on.

From travelling or moving overseas, to antenuptial contracts, international documents and formal agreements, it quietly makes important things valid and recognised.

It is not glamorous legal work like TV shows make it look, but it is the reason many major life events actually happen on time and legally.

Be honest… when was the first time you discovered a Notary Public was a real and very necessary human?

#notarypublic #antenuptualcontracts #apostilles #notarialdeeds #southafricanlaw

Buying or selling property is one of the few life events where people expect three things to happen quickly: Sign papers Pay or receive money Receive or hand over keys …and then discover there is an entire legal relay race happening in the background. While buyers are measuring curtains and sellers are packing boxes, Conveyancers are busy chasing rates clearances, reviewing title conditions, coordinating guarantees, dealing with bond attorneys, liaising with Estate Agents, navigating municipal systems and preparing documents for the Deeds Office. Most of it happens quietly, but every step matters because one missed detail can affect the entire transfer process. For the public, conveyancing often feels like a waiting game with random bursts of urgent emails. For Conveyancers it is a constant exercise in problem solving, compliance, risk management and coordination between multiple parties who all work on different timelines. It is not just paperwork. It is the process that protects one of the biggest financial decisions individuals and businesses will ever make. For those who have bought or sold property, what part of the transfer process caught you completely off guard? And to the Estate Agents, Bankers and our fellow Conveyancers… what, in your opinion, is the one behind-the-scenes challenge people would be most surprised to learn about? #conveyancing #propertylaw #propertytransfer #realestatesouthafrica #buyingorsellingproperty

Buying or selling property is one of the few life events where people expect three things to happen quickly:

Sign papers
Pay or receive money
Receive or hand over keys

…and then discover there is an entire legal relay race happening in the background.

While buyers are measuring curtains and sellers are packing boxes, Conveyancers are busy chasing rates clearances, reviewing title conditions, coordinating guarantees, dealing with bond attorneys, liaising with Estate Agents, navigating municipal systems and preparing documents for the Deeds Office.
Most of it happens quietly, but every step matters because one missed detail can affect the entire transfer process.

For the public, conveyancing often feels like a waiting game with random bursts of urgent emails.
For Conveyancers it is a constant exercise in problem solving, compliance, risk management and coordination between multiple parties who all work on different timelines.

It is not just paperwork. It is the process that protects one of the biggest financial decisions individuals and businesses will ever make.

For those who have bought or sold property, what part of the transfer process caught you completely off guard?

And to the Estate Agents, Bankers and our fellow Conveyancers… what, in your opinion, is the one behind-the-scenes challenge people would be most surprised to learn about?

#conveyancing #propertylaw #propertytransfer #realestatesouthafrica #buyingorsellingproperty

Buying or selling property can feel straightforward... Until small delays start adding up. In many transfers, the issue is not a legal dispute but missing or incomplete information early in the process. Outstanding municipal accounts, delayed bond instructions, or incomplete FICA documents can all slow things down. Starting the process prepared helps avoid unnecessary delays and stress later on. What was the most unexpected delay you experienced when buying or selling property? #propertytransfers #conveyancing #propertylaw #legaltips #sellingahome

Buying or selling property can feel straightforward... Until small delays start adding up.

In many transfers, the issue is not a legal dispute but missing or incomplete information early in the process. Outstanding municipal accounts, delayed bond instructions, or incomplete FICA documents can all slow things down.

Starting the process prepared helps avoid unnecessary delays and stress later on.

What was the most unexpected delay you experienced when buying or selling property?

#propertytransfers #conveyancing #propertylaw #legaltips #sellingahome

Section 58 PPA Reminder: Incentives, Referrals & Staying Compliant in Property Transactions

Many property practitioners and industry professionals may not realise that offering or accepting incentives, commissions, or rewards in exchange for work or referrals can place them at risk of non-compliance.

Section 58 of the Property Practitioners Act promotes transparency and professionalism within the property industry by prohibiting the “buying” of work through undisclosed benefits or incentives.

At Cummings Attorneys, we believe that ethical practice protects everyone involved in a transaction… Sellers, Buyers, Agents and Practitioners alike.

Before accepting or offering any referral-related benefit, ensure that it is lawful, properly disclosed and compliant with the Act.

Stay compliant. Stay protected.

#propertypractitioners #ppra #estateagents #conveyancers

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