Jamaica - Advice & Help

President Obama Proposes New Rule for Provisional Waivers for Families

Safiya Byars, Esq. — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:30:01 UT

Anyone who is familiar with immigration cases is familiar with the argument that immigrants should just return home to acquire their status instead of trying to obtain legal status in the United States. Political figures, as well as organization against immigrants' rights, usually inform the public that undocumented immigrants need to simply return to their home country to be processed for permanent residence. Unfortunately, this is not 100% true. Anyone who has been faced with the realization that he must return home to complete the immigrant process now has to face the possibility of being barred from returning to the United States for 3 or 10 years. In order to avoid the 3 or 10 year bar individuals must submit a waiver petition at the US Consulate. The waiver is discretionary and it is approvable only if the individual can show that his United States citizen or permanent resident family would suffer extreme hardship if the individual did not immediately return to the United States. To an individual who is unfamiliar with the immigration laws the process of submitting a waiver and obtaining an approval seems to be a simple one. However, in reality these waivers are subjected to the discretion of the US Consulate and the approval rate of these waivers are low and inconsistent. However, recently President Obama's administration has recognized these inconsistencies in the waiver system and has proposed a new rule to help families who are trying to obtain legal status. This month's article will review the 3 and 10 year bar and President Obama's proposed changes.

Currently, some individual who entered the United Stated illegally or who overstayed their legal entry must leave the United States and return home in order to gain permanent based on their family petition. This process of completing the immigrant visa process is known as "Consular Processing." Immigration laws state that if an individual is illegally present in the United States for more than 6 months but less than 1 year that individual is barred from returning to the United States for 3 years. Likewise if an individual is illegally present in the United States for more than 1 year that individual is barred from returning to the United Stated for 10 years. The 3 or 10 year is triggered by the individual's departure from the United States. However, it is important to note that not everyone may be required to depart the United States to obtain permanent residence. As such, it is imperative that individuals first consult with a competent immigration attorney to determine if they can remain the United States to obtain permanent residence or if they must depart the United States. For individuals who are required to depart the United States they must file and obtain a waiver of their unlawful presence before they are allowed to return to the United States. In the waiver application the individual must convince the US Consulate that his United States citizen or permanent resident family members would suffer "extreme hardship." Unfortunately, the approval rate of these waivers are low and the results vary greatly depending on the location of the US Consulate. For example, my experience has shown that the US Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and Kingston Jamaica have lower approval rates of waiver petitions in comparison to other US Consulates in different countries. As such, based on these inconsistencies in the waiver process some individuals have opted to remain in the United States in illegal status rather than return home and risk being separated from their family for 3 or 10 years or permanently.

On Friday, January 6, 2012 the Obama administration officials announced they are proposing a fix to a Catch-22 in immigration law that could spare hundreds of thousands of American citizens from prolonged separations from illegal immigrant spouses and children. Now Immigration proposes to allow illegal immigrants to get a provisional waiver in the United States before they depart the United States to obtain their immigrant visas. Having the waiver in hand will allow them to depart knowing they almost certainly will be allowed to return. The agency is also seeking to cut down wait times for immigrants overseas to only a few weeks. Alejandro Mayorkas, the director of the agency, said the purpose was to relieve burdens on citizens while also streamlining a convoluted, costly process. Director Alejandro Mayorkas has stated that once the proposed rule is made final, the rule will allow family members of U.S. citizens to petition the government for the so-called hardship waiver before the undocumented immigrant returns home to formally apply for a U.S. visa. This proposed regulatory change will significantly reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from their spouses and children under certain circumstances while those family members are going through the process of obtaining visas to become legal immigrants to the United States. Its purpose is to minimize the extent to which bureaucratic delays separate Americans from their families for long periods of time, specifically in cases where a waiver of inadmissibility due to unlawful presence is required as part of the visa process.

It is important to note that presently the proposed rule is not yet law. Immigration has stated that no one should file an application based on this proposed change. Applicants must wait until the government formally adopts the change. Any applications filed with USCIS based on the proposal will be rejected and the application package returned to the applicant. There is no date certain for implementation. Also, it appears that the new pre-approval process would only be available for the waiver of unlawful presence bars. Those who also need waivers for bars triggered by criminal convictions or past fraud would have to continue to follow the old process where their waivers are submitted and adjudicated abroad.

We are currently in the process of reviewing cases that may benefit from the proposed rule. If you wish to learn more or to be notified once the proposed rule becomes law you may contact our firm.

Disclaimer: This article is a broad overview and is provided as a public service. This article is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. Any reliance on the information contained herein is taken at your own risk. The information provided in this article should never replace informed counsel when specific immigration-related guidance is needed.

About the Writer:
Safiya Byars (sbyars@byarslawgroup.com) is the senior partner and owner in the Law Office of Safiya Byars (www.byarslawgroup.com). She is an active member of the Caribbean and International communities in Georgia. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Montevallo and received her law degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Her office is located at 160 Clairemont Avenue, Ste. 200, Decatur, Georgia 30030. Attorney Byars handles all immigration matters, deportation defense, family law issues, and business formation/litigation. To discuss you case, contact Attorney Byars at 404-992-6506 or 678-954-5809.

Next Stop, Jamaica - One corporate employee’s perspective on Lifestyle Design

Akilah S. Richards — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:30:01 UT

Don’t think of ways to escape your life; think of ways to enhance it.

Seriously—have you ever considered the absurdity behind the idea of a “vacation”?

Essentially, most of us have bought into the idea that being a “responsible adult” means letting go of longtime dreams, getting a “real job” (hello, cubicle nation!), and taking a few weeks off per year to laze about in a new city, trying to forget about what we do with vast majority of our time.

But what’s the alternative? Be a beach bum, or worse yet move back home with your mom so you can mooch off of her, and get by in life with minimal effort?

Far from it. Take a peek into the daily goings-on of an accomplished research engineer who currently calls IBM her primary employer. She’s a firm believer in the “life’s too short not to” philosophy, and she’s putting her money (and her luggage) behind that idea too. April’s lifestyle offers a valuable reminder that it is in fact possible to design a life that feeds you, paychecks and passions included.

Corporate Desk or Kola Champagne?

How exactly does a research engineer with a great career in IBM’s marketing department end up sipping Red Stripe beer in Jamaica and veggin’ out on the beach?

Don’t ask April D. Thompson, because the travel writer and marketing consultant may be living in Jamaica for a 3-month period, but she’s got plenty of work to keep her occupied in between capoeira classes in Kingston.

“My time in in JA isn’t just one big vacation. I’m still working…on several projects (a girl’s gotta eat), but taking every opportunity to explore and learn more about the island and its people.“

April’s business savvy and proven track record allowed her to negotiate a remixed version of her role at IBM that allows her to work primarily from home. That means she can globe-trot to hear heart’s content, as long as she’s getting her work done—and that she does.

As a lifestyle coach (and as a Jamaican!), I was absolutely drawn to April’s capacity to design a life that fit her need to embrace a 100% location independent lifestyle, particularly because she’s spending nearly the full first quarter of 2012 in Jamaica.

Sounds like the stuff of the dreams-only zone, right? Not for April—and she’s definitely not alone. There are a growing number of twenty and thirty-somethings that ditched the suit-and-tie/picket fence life for the welcomed cacophony of experiences that come with location independence.

What does it mean?

Location independence, life-hacking, life outsourcing, … the list of synonyms goes on.

Author Tim Ferriss penned his much-celebrated New York Times Best Seller,The 4-Hour Work Week

, back in 2007, and that’s when the term “location independence” first hit my radar. Since then, I’ve come across dozens of bloggers, entrepreneurs, and writers who’ve adopted the lifestyle. At its core, the concept is pretty simple:

Being location independent is a concept, a lifestyle and, more than anything, it’s a mindset. It’s not just about being nomadic and travelling the world to exotic destinations. It’s a lifestyle based on the freedom to choose the kind of lifestyle that works for YOU. From wherever you choose to be.

- LocationIndependent.com

In 2010, April made the decision to “quit the life” and commit to the ultimate goal of full location independence. So far, April has worked and played in 19 countries, and she doesn’t plan to stop there. Her work-life flow allows her to prioritize her personal and professional goals, and she’s etching out a fine name for herself as an emerging travel writer as well.

Is This Sustainable?

Well, April’s not scrubbing floors to fund her lifestyle. Neither are Chris Guillebeau, Tim Ferriss, and the myriad other “responsible adults” who swapped their daily commute in highway traffic for coach class tickets to new countries.

Not convinced? Luckily, this article wasn’t meant to inspire you to walk into your job tomorrow and dare your boss to do or say one wrong thing. Instead, it’s simply meant to remind you that if your current life isn’t feeding your deepest needs, then perhaps you can take one step in the direction of a life that does.

Be it location independence, a better 9-to-5, a healthier body, or a happier relationship, you play an integral role in that life. So go ahead, give it some thought, check out April’s blog , and see if you can release the need to vacate your life in order to truly enjoy it.

Curious about how other Location Independent folks earn their dough?

Check this out for starters:http://www.corbettbarr.com/64-ways-location-independent-people-earn-a-living

Can I sell land in Jamaica using a common law title?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:30:01 UT

Dear Legal,

I would like to sell some land in Jamaica that was passed from my grandmother to my mother and now to me. The title I have is a common law title in my grandmother's name, and both my grandmother and mother have died. I would love to get a title from that common law title if it is needed. My aunt paid taxes till she died, and then I began paying the taxes up till now. None of my relatives are interested and I have letters from them saying so. Please help.

RESPONSE:

Dear MW

You can sell property using the common law title, but remember that the Registration of Titles Act places an onus on you, the Vendor to supply the Purchaser with a registered title. You will need further direction as the title is in your grandmother's name and the process to registering title, and selling property, can be complicated for someone with only basic knowledge. Our team can assist you further.

Here we will discuss common law title, obtaining registered title, and buying/selling land with the same.

ABOUT COMMON LAW TITLE In JAMAICA

A common law title is a certificate which is used for unregistered property. It can be used to upgrade to or obtain the actual registered land title at the National Land Agency (NLA). Please bear in mind that The Registered Titles Act stipulates that the originally created registered land title be retained at the office of Land and Titles, while ‘landowners’ are entitled to duplicates.

As a Deed of Conveyance, it is a legal document prepared under seal by an attorney-at-law, containing an agreement where there is conveyance or transfer of property from one person to another. It can also be bought at stationary stores islandwide.

The common law title usually contains:

- premises that are being conveyed

- the particulars of the parties. This is the details on the vendor and the purchaser and the considerations for the property, including the amount of money that the property is being sold for.

The common law title MUST:

- be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace or notarised by a Notary Public

- must be recorded at the Registrar Generral’s Department (RGD)

STEPS TO TAKE WHEN APPLYING FOR REGISTERED LAND TILE WITH COMMON LAW TITLE:

When seeking the registered title with the common law title other documents you will additionally need are;

- an application form

- an affidavit setting out the details of how the land was obtained

- two declarations from persons who have known the land for at least 30 years

- an up-to-date tax certificate indicating that payment of property taxes is current.

- any and all other documents that can prove ownership, such as receipts, conveyance or probate, should also be produced

WARNING:

1. If the parcel of land is being registered by reference to a survey plan, then it will be necessary to submit a pre-checked survey plan, along with the application.

2. If the description of the property is not by survey plan, then the description of the land should be by measurement and boundary (estimated description). It should be noted however, that the distance must be stated in metric units (more or less) along each boundary line and the estimated area of the entire parcel should also be stated in metric..

3. If the property was obtained by way of a will, probate is required

For this you will need to submit the documents relating to that particular estate, for example the Probate Document and the Estate Duty Certificate

BENEFITS OF COMMON LAW TITLE include:

You can secure a loan from lending institutions, such as co-operative societies and the National Housing Trust (NHT), using a common law title.

Under The Facilities for Titles Act "The National Housing Trust does accept a common law title, for certain specific loans. Bear in mind that you will also need to establish the root of the title via the Statutory Declarations form.

SELLING PROPERTY

Please see relevant links on this site about buying and selling property.

Hope this helps. Please contact the team for any further detailed assistance.

Can Legal Wiz team help us get a title, if the lamp program didnt?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:30:02 UT

Dear Legal Wiz,

Love your work here. My dad has a piece of land in Lyssons, St. Thomas that he wants the title transferred from his deceased mother into his name. He tried through the LAMP program, and it reached a point where it needs a survey done. He secured the services of a surveyor, but apparently was being swindled and terminated the agreement after lengthy delays. Could you assist in securing the title in his name, and what would you estimate as the turnaround time and applicable fees.

Antuan Hall

Dear Antuan Hall,

We could very well assist.

Please understand that our fees will be separate and apart, as our team operates independent of the LAMP programme. We therefore ask that you provide more details to avoid having to pay twice for tasks already completed.

1. Does a title in fact exist? (You indicated wanting a transfer of title, but also indicated a need for a survey to be done.)

2. Are you aware of all that required to start the application process for a title?

3. Is it correct to assume the survey is all you need from the requirement list, to start procedures?

Once you provide these answers you will be given a list of stages, fees applicable, proposed turn around time. Please communicate further at legalwiz@yahoo.com to have persons assigned to give you personal assistance.

Legal Wiz

Tags: LAMP

Can my dad get my dead granddad's Jamaican assets after 20 years?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:01 UT

Dear Legal Wiz,

My grandfather has passed away over twenty (20) years ago. All his children have passed away apart from my dad. Can any Jamaican land in my grandfather’s name be transferred to my father, who is the only child alive, even if there is no will? Can my father get any assets left in Jamaica by my grandfather?

Joel

Dear Joel,

Thanks for communicating. It is possible to have assets transferred in his name. However there are several procedures, and checks that need to be done, and put in order before. As priority the issues of existing title, a will and any possible challenges whether both or either exists or not need to be handled. There also among other steps need to be checks on whether monies were owed by your father, or any other challengers (persons with interest) for his total property (assets, land and any other possessions of his). Then procedures will include acquiring a probate for the will or letters of administration. It is best you contact a lawyer to assist in moving forward. Out team can assist you for a fee. All the best!

Tags: assets, land

Can I have my name on a title, if original owner died over 20 years ago?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:30:01 UT

Dear Legal Wiz,

The owner of the land I am acquiring now, has passed away for more than twenty years now. I have the original title here with me. How can I get my name on the title, if so?

Marlon

Dear Marlon,
Thank you for communicating with us. The information you provided is insufficient. There are requirements by law, and once met efficiently your name can be placed on the title. There are procedures that you must follow once you have all the information required. The first stage of information gathering requires you to have
- proof of ownership
- proof of interest — showing how qualified you are to have your name on the title for example by – -producing a will (which will need to be probated)
- updated survey (checks and balances against information on original title)
- completed forms such as transfer of title application
- identification
Actual work includes placing a notification of death title on existing title, probating the will, checking if any monies are outstanding, proof of no contestants for the property.
The process can be complicated, so we recommend that when you are ready, you consult or contract a lawyer or legal leg worker. Both can be accessed through the international team of legal leg workers on this site or via www.antheamcgibbon.com.

All the best

Tags: jamaican title

Should I pay the total rent for the Jamaican property, if he made the other tenants leave?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:30:00 UT

Dear Legal Wiz,

I, along with another tenant, recently rented Jamaican premises from a man who claims he is related to the landlord who lives overseas. He said it is a family home. This landlord's relative insisted that he met with and rented the persons directly, although I introduced him to the other tenant. The same relative, since caused the other tenant not to move in, although he still held the tenant’s paid monies for the first month.

First the landlord's relative is acting as the agent in representing the landlord. Security deposit payment is at the discretion of the landlord, as it's requirement is not stipulated by the Rent Restriction Act of Jamaica.

The tenant did not move for several reasons all because of the landlord's relative. These included the fact that several promises made by the landlord's relative were not fulfilled, although we both paid the rent sums early so that he, being the person taking care of the house and grounds, could have a portion to complete fixtures and do all he promised. Now even his own light meter is still not re-installed as he promised, and so he is still using the meter for the part of the house which both myself and the other tenant were to use. I had moved in as the relative had said he would have completed the work, which was not a lot, within the first week after I moved in - the first month of tenancy.

This is the second month, and the landlord's relative is now trying to get me to either pay more, or to move into a small corner of the premises, plus force me to stop using the shared accommodations such as the verandah, living room etc as we all agreed. Am I obligated to pay the full sum? Should I move to the smaller area? The other tenant is now accusing me and the landlord's relative, claiming that we as Jamaicans planned on conning him of his sums. The landlord's relative claims the foreign tenant and I conned him so I could move in and pay a small sum for a big house, because no security deposit was taken.

Martha Brown

Dear Martha Brown

First the landlord's relative is acting as the agent in representing the landlord. Security deposit payment is at the discretion of the landlord, as it's requirement is not stipulated by the Rent Restriction Act of Jamaica.

You should maintain your position as you had it when the agreement was made and monies were passed over. This includes any portion of the premises/property where you occupy. Where the monies for the total property are concerned, you need to focus on paying only your portion as agreed. For the balance of sums, although you are not obligated you could, at your discretion, try to assist the landlord in getting another tenant if you are to remain.

However, there are issues such as with the electricity meter that you need to address – whether you should pay over monies or not based on agreement. It seems based on what you said that you need to ask to see the utility bills and work out a sum to be paid for both water and electricity. At best continue insisting that the meters be held separate as he agreed.

The other alternative which still remains is that you try and find somewhere else with less hassle,or with a clear understanding and agreement written or oral upfront. When moving again, be aware of the high incidence of dishonesty among landlords/ladies/agents in Jamaica. It is never wise to move into a premises/property based on promises that things will be fixed, completed unless you get it in writing preferably. All the best.

Legal Wiz

Who do I complain against a Jamaican Attorney to?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:30:01 UT

The following question was sent via the contact form of this site.

Dear Legal Wiz?
Please reply to me with the contact information to file a complaint on a Jamaican Attorney.
Mitch Anderson

Dear Mitch Anderson,
Thank you for writing in. You may lodge complaints and seek answers from:

Mr Ian Wilkinson
President
Jamaica Bar Association
Jambar Building
78-80 Harbour Street
Kingston, Jamaica
(876) 967-1528 / (876) 967-9034
Fax: (876)967-3783
Email: secretary@jambar.org

You make have the issue dealt with at:
General Legal Council
78 Harbour Street,
Kingston
(876) 922-2319 / (876)967-1528
Fax: (876) 924-9190
Email: legalcouncil@cwjamaica.com

Can I acquire the title for my Jamaican property online?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:30:01 UT

Dear Legal Wiz,
Can I get a copy of the Jamaican title online?
Marilyn Yew

Dear Marilyn Yew,
YES! You can get a copy of the title for land in Jamaica online. To apply online you need to visit the online address of the National Land Agency at www.nla.gov.jm/forms_landtitles.asp, and fill in the relevant form. Information you need beforehand to apply includes:
possible names on title,
address of property,
title's folio number,
tax number,
neighbouring landmarks.

Please bear in mind though that this site is still a work in progress.

Legal Wiz

Tags: jamaica land, title

He is dead, but did he transfer my title as my representative?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:30:01 UT

The following question was posted in response to the article 'How can I get title for land back home' on this site. Read full article at THIS LINK..

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,
Many years ago a relative of mine left Jamaica and trusted a 'so called' friend to pay the tax on a piece of property that he owned. The friend claimed to have been paying the tax but then eventually died. We cannot locate his relatives to obtain the title that was left with him. How can my relative retain his claim to the title, and, if for some reason the “friend” sold the property or transferred title what is our recourse? Thanks in advance.
Jay in response to 'How can I get title for land Back home?

RESPONSE: Dear Jay,
QUICK RESPONSES
1. You can trace payments, if made through the tax office online. Do you have the valuation number?
2. You may retrieve a copy of the title through the Titles office, at Hanover Street or online.
3. The ' friend' cannot act to transfer your name etc without your official permission, or forging your signature. If this was done for some reason you may need the services of an attorney for example to assist with challenging the title in the Supreme Court, or any other action required.
4. You can trace any action regarding the title through the Registrar of Titles, as the same would have been recorded. READ MORE at THIS LINK
5. If your 'friend' or anyone acted falsely on your behalf, you can seek recourse through both Criminal and Civil Court. As your friend is now deceased, you may find such action challenging, and therefore you wil need an attorney's assistance. You may speak further with a member of our team by contacting us through email.

Stay connected. Your communication is appreciated.
Any further information will be posted here for your reference.
It is useful to also read the Registration of Titles Act

Legal Wiz

Tags: legal wiz

Jamaica Legal Wiz: He's giving me a piece of his countryside land in Jamaica

Legal Wiz — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:30:02 UT

QUESTION:
Dear Legal Wiz
My friend is giving me a piece of his land in Manchester, so that I can assist him with his work on the other land in Clarendon. He has title for everything, but not separately for the piece he is giving to me. What do we do.
Tommy Lang

RESPONSE:

Dear Tommy Lang,
It's quite simple, but can be costly.
First you need to determine the portion being given away. Go to the parish council for approval of the portion to be given away, before making your way to the title offices. It is the Parish Council who will approve whether this is a sufficient portion to warrant a title.
You will then need to get a surveyor to cut it off, by marking, and pegging off the portion. Thereafter you will apply for your title. A form for transfer of part of land will be required and this should downloaded from the National Land Agency website.
Very recently the titles office introduced a new application process to obtain title where land is subdivided, which they endeavour to complete in exactly forty (40) days.

Our team can physically assist as necessary.
Legal Wiz

Tags: land title

Can I get the Jamaican title if I know the 'tax number'?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:30:01 UT

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,
I have two properties.
For the one that we don't have a title, it was land given to my mom from the Government in the sixties. She lived there till the seventies, and then migrated to US where she dies two years ago. My cousin has been living there ever since my mom migrated from the property.

When I went to pay the taxes for the first one, I was asked to pay taxes on the second, but I had no money at the time. I called to find out the sum I owed on the property with no title and they gave me a bunch of numbers to pay up the taxes. I can't get any confirmation of a title though. Can you help me to get information on the title, if any?

Joan Stimpson

RESPONSE: Dear Joan Stimpson

The bunch of numbers you got from the tax office is referred to as the valuation number. It can be used to trace the title. The title search can be done online, or through our legal legwork team for a fee, either way.
The system is still a work-in-progress and as such persons usually opt to have someone, such as someone from our team, located in Jamaica, do it physically for them.
Where no title exists, you may consider registering for a title. First Stage:
Visit to title office for research, processing and print of title

Legal Wiz

Legal Wiz: I need my dead Jamaican dad's medical records to trace my own history

Legal Wiz — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:00:01 UT

The following enquiry was made through our contact form on Jamaicans.com:

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,
I am a born Jamaican citizen, who now resides in Canada. My father whom also was a Jamaican Citizen passed away many years ago due to cancer.

Due to many health concerns on my behalf, my doctors have requested I try to locate my fathers hospital files - as I am not even quite aware of all his problems before death.
How do I go about obtaining my Father's medical records? Who do I contact?
What information will I need in order to get these released?
Ernest Gregory

LEGALWIZ: Dear Sir Ernest Gregory,

Thank you for staying connected to Jamaicans.com, and further communicating with us.

The issue of a patient's access to his or her medical records is governed by the common law, as there is no legislation in Jamaica regulating the same. It is usually the responsibility of the health care provider to provide such information. The health care provider, can refuse to permit access, once reasons are warranted and applicable such as where it can be shown that there is a real potential for harm to the patient or a third party. However, one has the option to challenge the refusal and seek order through the Courts.

YOUR BEST BET THEREFORE is
Your best bet is to acquire, or have someone acquire on your behalf, the Death Certificate from the Registrar General's Department. The Registrar General Department which also operates online has relating forms for you to fill in.

NB: The Jamaican RGD also classifies diseases as indicated on the Medical Certificate of the cause of death (MCCD).

Please be mindful of a few points:

it is generally the medical provider who holds medical records
As such you need to provide more details such as name and location of hospital, or medical practitioner.
You will also need proof of your relation
You will need to or have someone contact that entity as to their policies and procedures for doing this. This person should be given a notarised power-of-attorney document to act on your behalf.
Further having gained that information specific details such as about your father's name, age will be needed

NOTE A member of our team can for a nominal fee acquire the specific information once you supply specifics such as name of your father etc.

Tags: jamaican dead dad, medical records

That tenant in my Jamaican home tore up the notice I gave him

Legal Wiz — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:30:01 UT

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,
On a recent visit to Jamaica, I gave my tenant notice to leave premises. He actually tore it up and cursed at me. Can I still get him removed?
Shara Kayn

On a recent visit to Jamaica, I gave my tenant notice to leave premises. He actually tore it up and cursed at me. Can I still get him removed?

LEGAL WIZ: Dear Shara Kayn
You can. It does'nt matter that he, the tenant tore up the notice-to-quit to have him removed from your Jamaican property. Hopefully you filled it up correctly and gave sufficient time according to law. Simply wait till the notice is up and start a PLAINT – court matter for recovery of possession. You will need to state one of the listed reasons according to Jamaican law. It is recommended that you contract someone else to serve the summons that will be issued, by the Court, for the tenant to appear.
Please ensure that your keep a copy of the notice as served, and that it is legal as the dates may be in conflict.
Our team can assist for a nominal fee.

Tags: notice

Legal Wiz: He's taking over my house in Trench Town, Jamaica, but I want it back!

Legal Wiz — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:30:02 UT

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,
I left Jamaica for Canada, over 10 years ago, but I do make a few trips to my home in Trench Town, an inner-city area of Kingston Jamaica. The man who was given permission, by my sister, to live there as a tenant has stopped paying rent and now is threatening us.
When I asked him to leave, he tells me that he wants back money for making repairs that I did not discuss with him or authorise. Then he told me he wants to help me pay my taxes. My sister says he got the house in good condition, and refuses to pay anyone we send to collect the rent.
Early this year, the ‘tenant/squatter’ called to ask me to send some money to put in JPS contracted electricity, as the company is putting in a new system. He was the one who took out the metre left there in the first place. He is telling me that the roof is caving in and I need to send him money, yet also refuses to contribute to the water bill which is now over J$200,000. It goes up by J$2,000 plus each month.
Can I get back my house without violence. Can your team assist?
Marsha Edwards

RESPONSE: Dear Marsha Edwards
You don't need violence to reclaim what’s yours, regardless of where it is. I am assuming you own the title for the property, or have actual proof and documents that can assist you to legitimately acquire one, if and as necessary.

You dont need violence to reclaim what’s yours. First of all, make sure that the tax for that Trench Town house, in downtown Kingston, of yours is paid up.
Then get someone, if you really can't come to Jamaica to start a lawsuit for ‘recovery of possession’ and outstanding rent sums.

First of all, make sure that the tax for that Trench Town house, in downtown Kingston, of yours is paid up.
Then get someone, if you really can't come to Jamaica to start a lawsuit for ‘recovery of possession’ and outstanding rent sums.
You will need to give this person power-of-attorney and ask them to first issue a notice to quit. Further you may want to consider arranging a thorough check of the house over for a list of repairs if any.
Believe it or not, law-abiding rules and is fast becoming the norm, even in inner-city communities, so be confident. Our team has won a few similar cases so be confident, the legal system is here to help owners like you regardless of where you are.
Our team can assist for a nominal fee.

Legal Wiz

Tags: squatter, trench town

Good Hair: The Role of Genetics in Black Hair Care

Brenda Barrett — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:30:01 UT

It really pains my heart when black women act as if there is something wrong with their hair. Many women of color will tell you that their hair can’t grow, its too nappy or short and dry that they have to wear other hair on top of it or add other hair from different parts of the world. The common excuse that black hair is hard to manage and constantly sheds, breaks and can’t comb are excuses that show that we are not informed as well as we should be about our hair and how to take care of it. There is no reason in today’s world that black women can’t make the right decisions regarding hair and take care of their own hair so that it is as gorgeous as you want it. Frankly, wearing wigs and pieces as regular hair staples is taking the easy way out and sometimes they even contribute to the ruining of your real hair.

What black women need is knowledge about hair care; there is a whole slew of information on the Internet from ladies who have successfully grown their hair to their waist, hips or even tailbone. Women who have at some time or the other believed that their hair could not grow past a certain length and that their hair was not ‘good hair’ but they are defying the odds and they show how it can be done. Some people are even pointing out that it takes nothing much from the regular black woman to grow her hair but knowledge. That’s it-knowledge. Our hair grows anyway without any intervention on our behalf, what we need to learn is the process of hair growth, how to retain and handle hair whether hair is processed or natural and the products that we are to stay away from. I have always said, that Rastafarians have the best example of black hair growth at its longest. Most Rastafarians will tell you that they use the simplest things in their hair and of course they practice low manipulation of hair.

In Jamaica when your hair is long, quite frequently persons either assume you are wearing a wig or mixed with some other race. Many times, in explaining that my hair is mine, I have to end up imparting the following hair facts:

Hair is hair whatever your race, it grows at around the same pace. Which is ¼ to ½ inch per month (that’s about 6 inches per year).
Black hair is only perceived as growing slower because unlike other straighter hair types, the hair texture is more susceptible to breakage because of some tiny microscopic knots contained in individual hair strands.

Hair grows in three stages: anagen or active phase, during this phase the cells in the root divide to form new hairs pushing the bulbs of the old ones out of the scalp. This cycle can continue from to two to six years, in some cases ten.

In the catagen or transitional phase, growth stops and the outer layer of the hair root withers or shrinks, wrapping around the root to form a bulb.

In the telogen phase, the bulb forms completely and some shedding might occur. This occurs naturally, so shedding is nothing to be afraid of within reason.

Summary- Black hair grows at the same level as other hair types. What black women need is knowledge about their hair type in order to practice the best hair care practices available to get their hair in the best shape it can be.

About the Author:
Brenda Barrett is an author and freelance writer. She has written for several websites, including her own- blackhair101 and fiwibooks, on topics ranging from healthy hair care maintenance, human resources, Android Apps, publishing and fictional stories from all genres. She is an avid reader of fictional novels, a habit that she picked up from she was very young. This love of fiction spilled over into writing and she currently has several novels on the market.

Tags: black hair care, jamaican woman long hair, long black hair, long hair black women

How can I cut my land in Jamaica, and get title for each of four parts

Legal Wiz — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:30:01 UT

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,

Good evening, I have a question pertaining to land in Jamaica.....My family has 10 acres of land in a rural part of Jamaica...We have the title, but need to cut a road and then divide the land in 4....Where can I go (or what office to contact) to have the road and the land divided into 4 new titles and how much or an estimate you think it may cost? Thanks so much for your time! Thanks,

Sue

RESPONSE: Dear Sue,

Thanks for your patience. In response to your question, you will first need to secure the services of a land surveyor. That is provided you know how you wish to divide the land. The surveyor will measure and prepare a blueprint on your behalf of the total area detailing areas to be sectionalised with the layout suggestion of the road. This blueprint will then be used to make application to the Parish Council. You will then be advised accordingly. Please note that a fee is required to secure the land surveyor, as well as to make application to the Parish Council.
The cost, based on a number of factors such as location varies.
The legal legwork team can only give a costing for securing members to monitor the process on your behalf, once more details such as location, body of work needed is known.
Bear in mind that at any stage that an attorney is needed in any case being undertaken, it is referred to such person who is a member of our team, after further discussion.

All the best! Keep communicating.

We have the title, but need to cut a road and then divide the land in 4....Where can I go (or what office to contact)...?

Legal Wiz

Tags: divide land, jamaica land, jamaica land title, legal legworker

The title is lost, the landowner is dead, I am paying taxes so I need the Jamaican title

Legal Wiz — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:30:02 UT

QUESTION: Dear Jamaica Legal Wiz

How do I apply for the Land Title if the owner for the Jamaica property dies. I can't locate the original title and all I have is the property tax receipt which I am now paying and a diagram from the Survey and Mapping Division. I would also like to know how long the procedure will take.

Lydia

RESPONSE: Dear Lydia,

Thank you for posting your question in response to http://www.jamaicans.com/articles/advice/getting-a-land-title-in-jamaica-with-a-diagram.shtml#bmc2441.

It seems your concern is really in acquiring the original title for the Jamaican land, bearing the original owner's name. You can either apply for one yourself, or have someone apply on your behalf. You will need to submit details via a form to be filled in such as name of owner, full address, landmarks, neighbours, valuation/tax ID number. The diagram should not be older than seven (7) years.

Be aware however that the fact that tax is being paid up does not necessarily mean that a title actually exists, and in that case you may have to consider meeting the necessary requirements to register for the same. All the best

Legal Wiz

Tags: lost Jamaica title, property tax

A Strong Today - Our job as parents

S. M. Williams — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:45:01 UT

So being a parent right now is a bit challenging. The older children get is the more as a parent you are presented with challenges that you need to overcome. Raising children is both a life affirming as well as a tremendous learning experience. You learn to learn and think outside of yourself and its never a dull journey. The trick, however, is to find the balance between being a good parent and also being good to yourself as an individual. Often we err on one side or the other and the hope is that over the life of your children, you sway enough on both sides so that you give your children what they need while also still leaving enough for yourself.

Our job as parents is to make sure that we prepare our children to be ready to face the world as adults. And for those of us who are parents, our job today is doubly as hard as our parents. Our children are being raised in an age where they are bombarded by information from every source. They are influenced by everything under the sun and we often have little ability to control all the things they are exposed to. We lived in veritable cocoons while our children are essentially surfing on a wave of information and technology that keeps surging higher and higher. Our children have every single piece of information in the world available to them in nano-seconds. Before we can determine if something is appropriate or discuss it with our spouse, they have already accessed and digested that information. And for those of us who think we are protecting our children from external “forces” – we often forget that what we don’t supply, they simply access from elsewhere. We did it as children, our children have mastered an art at which we were rank amateurs. The example I like to site are children who didn’t know where babies came from and were rudely informed at school by other students whose parents had the foresight to give them early sex ed.

Gone are the days when we can shelter our children from the “bad stuff.” Now we have to make sure they know what the bad stuff is, where the bad stuff is located and teach them strategies to avoid the bad stuff and then report the bad stuff if they become aware that it is happening - Such a digression from our own youth. We used to be scared that our young sons would be bullied by the bigger boys; but today we are faced with the fact that bullying is much more a problem with our girls than with our boys. The pedofile might be the person whom your child sees at school each day and is in a position of trust. The drugs may not be peddled by that “sleazy” guy on the corner, but rather by the most popular student in school and in order to be a part of the “in crowd” our children are sucked into the vortex of peer pressure. We live in a sexualized age. Our children are entering precious puberty now at 10 and 11 and becoming sexual beings much earlier than in previous generations. How do we curb what is a natural sexual impulse and urge when every message tells them to explore their sexuality at an increasingly earlier and earlier age?

So what do we do?

Some parents have opted not to give their children such ready access to that information – but is that putting them at a disadvantage or not? The world we live in today expects that our children will be technologically savvy and much more educated than we were at that age. Today, many children living in this country are bi-lingual and bi-cultural. They move seamlessly between two languages and cultures. That is becoming almost a necessity in the 21^st century. In fact European children are already operating in this vein. Within twenty years, there will be an expectation that our children will not only be national citizens, but more importantly global citizens with an understanding of how nations impact each other culturally, economically and environmentally. How then do we become good parents and prepare them for that? That was certainly not something our parents had to contend with?

So now as parents we have to make different choices for our children. Most of us who have children in elementary school need to figure out how we will educate our children to be prepared for this global economy. In today’s dollars, it costs between 30,000 and 80,000 for someone to get a bachelors degree depending upon the type of degree and institution attended. So then let’s add a master’s to that and that’s an additional 30,000 to 60,000. And then we still need some of our children to earn post graduate degrees and that’s an additional 50,000 to 70,000. So essentially, those of us who plan to help our children with college expenses are looking at $110,000 to 210,000 (today’s costs), projecting that to future costs at an inflation rate of between 3 and 5%/annum over however many years to your child is ready to go to college. And these are costs before we think about books, supplies and living expenses. Are we prepared for these costs? Are we making plans for our children?

In our day, children who chose to become doctors, lawyers, accountants could be guaranteed a wonderful life. Today those persons graduate with debt close to a quarter million with no clear idea of how they will repay this debt and earning very little in comparison to their investment in their education and the trend is only getting more and more expensive. We need to understand that we need to steer our children in the direction of Environmental engineering and careers that support the notions of global sustainability as well as hands-on health careers if they are to survive in this new global economy. And the explosion in technology means that our children need to be imbued with this technological data and be willing to explore it and utilize it with the ease with which we now all encompass iphones, ipods, smart phones and other portable devices. In our lifetime, we have watched computers move from being the size of a room to holding in the palm of our hands. We have seen obsolescence of machines move from 5 years to a simple 6 months. Do we even understand enough about the new trends in technology, globalization and the new economic landscape to be able to inform our children about the best choices?

I’ve heard many parents state that their children will need to get scholarships and get loans to go to college, and there is nothing wrong with that? But, aren’t we putting our children at a disadvantage and behind the curve of those who’ve prepared for these costs for their children? I was blessed in that I graduated from college with a Master’s degree … debt free. It was the greatest gift my mother gave me and continues to be the gift that keeps on giving in allowing me to get great jobs and provide for my own family. But if we are not preparing for our children, what we are then doing is handicapping our children. So at age 26, they graduate with a Masters’ degree and some $200,000 in debt. Thus, before they’ve even bought a house or a car, they are essentially pledging to make mortgage payments to pay for their educations. And getting an education is no longer an option, it will become a necessity in the new millennium in order to compete.

So as parents, this is something we really need to think about. Before we start spending money erroneously on things that don’t really matter, we need to consider how we are planning for our children. Now clearly, I’m not saying to give up vacations, doing nice things for your family today or disregarding yourself completely. But we do need to be more judicious in the way we operate. And maybe this recent recession was good for some of us because it made us think twice before we spent our money. In our family, we literally waited till one of our cars left us on the road before investing in a new one because we chose to invest our money in our son and in ourselves (in the form of education and educational activities).

Now don’t get me wrong. Everyone has their own financial situation to deal with, and I’m in no way insinuating that everyone can prepare for their children’s future with meticulous detail. If you are a mom earning 40,000/year with three kids, there is no way you can find $500/month to put away for your children, I fully understand that. But what are you doing to make sure your child is prepared. Have you found every free and or scholarship program for them to participate in that will make them better candidates for their next level of education? Are you taking them to the library each week and ensuring that the places they may not visit as children they can learn about between the pages of books. Are you giving them a love of learning so that they can actually earn those scholarships when it’s time to go off to college? Are you talking with their teachers regularly and finding out their real potential to ensure that it can be maximized? What exactly is your plan to engage your child in the process of becoming a member of the global citizenship of the 21^st century?

We are the general of the armies of our families. Are we being ALL THAT WE CAN BE for our children? Our children are our future, but their future is built upon the today which we create for them. Are we giving them a strong today?

I Have A Dream

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:30:02 UT

One of the seminars that I present as a money coach involves a four-step system that explains how to create an action plan for achieving your financial goals. I’ve recognised that many people don’t get ahead in life because they have lost their childhood capacity to dream, and are not truly passionate about anything in their lives.

Progress begins with a vision

Motivational author Denis Waitley declared: “We’ve got to have a dream if we are going to make a dream come true.” The reality is that many people only harbour vague wishes for a better life, but they don’t create a powerful vision that can motivate them to act. When you are fired up about a big dream, you will be driven to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

I believe that while we all wish the best for our country, there aren’t enough people who are motivated to start doing something, with whatever resources they have, towards actualising their ideas for progress. Some of us believe that our small individual efforts can never be enough to fix the myriad problems that face this nation.

History records many examples where one person, who decided to take a stand for what he or she believed in, was able to inspire other people to join a movement and create change: Rosa Parks’ desire to sit at the front of a bus; Gandhi’s passion for Indian self-determination; Paul Bogle’s choice to die for freedom; these individuals had the courage to act on their convictions.

Sharing the vision

If you have a dream for the social and economic empowerment of Jamaica, don’t hesitate to take action in whatever little way you can. If you can make a difference in the life of one person, don’t think that your contribution will be too insignificant. If your only resource is your words, don’t discount the energy that you can create by sharing your vision with others.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his momentous ‘I have a dream’ speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. As he faced thousands of supporters, he outlined his vision of a more equitable future for African Americans in the United States. His words continue to inspire generations of people today to press forward until they attain their dreams.

A passionate vision has unlimited power, and King’s imagery motivated his compatriots to work to create a nation that truly lived the meaning of its creed, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Despite his visionary thinking, King may not have fully conceived that just four decades later, an African American would have been elected President.

My dream for Jamaica

While reading King’s inspiring speech, I thought about my own vision for the financial empowerment of all Jamaicans. Giving credit to this great orator, I am humbly paraphrasing some of his words:

I have a dream that is deeply rooted in the Jamaican dream. I have a dream that one day, our people will honour the words of our National Pledge and work diligently and creatively, think generously and honestly, so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in prosperity.

I have a dream that one day, wealth will be created in the inner cities and that the economic divisions that separate our people will disappear. I have a dream that one day, the residents of Trench Town and Tivoli will sit down at the table of brotherhood with the residents of Norbrook and Cherry Gardens.

I have a dream that one day, persons with disabilities will not be judged by what’s wrong with them, but by what’s right with them. I have a dream that one day, people’s infirmities will not prevent them from securing a fair income, and receiving the respect in the workplace that is due to them.

I have a dream that one day, all persons in financial distress will receive free counselling to help them resolve their money problems. I have a dream that one day, Jamaican children will learn the principles of financial success in school, so that they can make smart choices with their money in adulthood.

What’s your dream for Jamaica?

About the Author
Cherryl Hanson Simpson is a financial consultant and coach, and the founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services, Jamaica’s number one source for practical, down-to-earth and independent answers for all questions relating to personal finance. Cherryl is currently writing her first book, The 3 Ms of Money. Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services is Jamaica’s number one source for practical, down-to-earth and independent answers for all questions relating to personal finance. Get more smart money advice at www.financiallysmartonline.com and and www.financiallysmartadvice.com .

Please help me rid of squatters forever and manage my Jamaican property?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:30:01 UT

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,

I seek your assistance in helping me to get rid of squatters on property belonging to me.
The occupants of the property are not tenants of ours. I do not know if they were given occupancy by other and are being charged rent but any such rent is not being paid to us (legal owners) nor are the person or persons who gave them occupancy our agents. They are squatters for all intents and purpose. We do not even know the names of the individuals who are there or the number of individuals there. We want you to do what is necessary to remove them from the property. The occupants did not acquire possession as legal tenants. We have never received a cent from any of them.

We are in the process of negotiating the sale of the property. If the negotiation goes well it will be sold. If a sale does not materialize from the negotiations we certainly do not want the individuals or others to re-occupy the property. What are some of the things that can be done to keep the individual squatters or others from re-occupying the property?

So can you help us to get rid of these squatters from our property? Do you need the occupants names and will there be a difficulty getting their names if you need the names.

Secondly,

We are in the process of negotiating the sale of the property. If the negotiation goes well it will be sold. If a sale does not materialize from the negotiations we certainly do not want the individuals or others to re-occupy the property.

What are some of the things that can be done to keep the individual squatters or others from re-occupying the property?

After you do your site visit please let me know whether you would be able to rent, oversee and manage the property until it is sold.

Marc Antwain

RESPONSE: Dear Marc Antwain,

The Jamaica Legal Leg Worker team can assist with all of the above. Here's a further stage by stage of the way we will go:

A. STAGE ONE:

A1. site visit (with team security) with the power-of-attorney you send. If you do have the names of occupants, please submit.
NOTE: registration of power of attorney is neeeded to establish authority at all material times!
A1a. assessment of property status with contractor
A1b. address occupants, investigate, establish their status and intent
A2. submit report to you
A3. draft, serve notice to quit only as necessary
A4. follow up through courts as necessary
FEES: A1 - A4: APPLY!

B. STAGE TWO:

B1. Register
B2. Valuate/appraise with liscenced persons
B3. Discuss repairs if necessary
B4. Source and manage personnel for estimates,repairs etc
B5. Arrange for temporary tenant
B6. Property management and maintenance
NOTE: A bank account can be set up for you to deposit sums to your account. At all times you will have accounting
B7. Our team can also draft sale agreement and monitor sale on your behalf
FEES: B1 - B3: Apply
FEES: B4 - B4: Only as required by workmen to prepare estimate etc
FEES: B5 - B5: Finders fee
FEES: B6 - B6: Percentage to cover expenses
FEES: B7 - B7: to be discussed after assessment of work-to-be-done

C: STAGE THREE:

TO prevent re-entry of squatters, properly manage property with or without paid tenants or persons allowed to stay there for security purposes.

All the best!

Legal Wiz

Tags: property management, squatters

The Friendship Hypocrisy

S. M. Williams — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:30:02 UT

Recently a series of events have made me question much about the notion of friendship. At age 40, I thought I understood friendship and all that it entailed, but at age 40 is when you really begin to realize how little you know about so many things and realize that even though many of us are probably already half way through our life span, we still have so much to learn.

I’d often assumed that people whom I’d chosen to be my friends would be people essentially like me. I’ve begun to realize that this is not essentially true. At some point, you might have shared many of the same values, likes and dislikes, but the path that each chose to take in life would alter those people and ultimately the path, ebb and flow of that friendship. Sometimes friendships even need to come to an end based on people being on divergent paths, but loyalty to the feeling of the past keep people tied to each other, when everything that would have severed that relationship is still in place.

I am blessed that I’ve formed some remarkable friendships in my life and each friendship is so very unique and fills very different parts of my life. I have those friends whom I can vent to without them needing to make a judgment call or comment on whether I’m wrong, right or otherwise. They realize that my blowing steam does not mean I’m taking action and that I’m eventually going to come up with the right choice; but that in order to get to that place, I need a safety valve. A few times I’ve made the mistake of venting to the wrong friend and I’ve been given a lecture rather than what I really needed.

And then I have those friends who seem to have a psychic connection with me and whenever I need a shoulder, they just seem to appear out of nowhere with a phone call or a visit and I can simply be me and lean on them for the support that I may need. Then I have my hang out buddies … my girls. Ladies whom are always there to be the women who support you in all your efforts and make a night out on the town with them fun and full of laughs.

But then there is the other side of friendship; the side that accepts the things about your friends that you don’t care for, that don’t do them any justice and make them unattractive – but you still keep that friendship; because despite the issues that they may have, you know them to their core and their core is essentially good. So you are cautious about things you say because you understand that they are fragile and that your level of harsh will never be viewed in the light in which it was offered. You understand that they are human, like you and full of potential even if when they are engaged in the very behavior which has tested the limits of your friendship.

Any of you have friends who live their lives as an oxymoron? They are never on time for any event but hate lack of punctuality in others? Claims to be organized, yet they never know where anything is? They like to tell others that they have life on a string; but you watch as their lives are constantly unraveling? My favorite are those who claim to hold friendship near and dear to their hearts, yet continue to quietly abuse the relationship without even realizing what they are doing.

Legal Wiz - Help Me Secure Land and House My Dead Grandparents Left Me?

Legal Wiz — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:30:02 UT

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,
Hello am looking for a attorney or lawyer who can help me with getting a land title and other papers, to secure a land and house that was left to me by my grandmother. My grandmother passed away in 1998 and my grandad was living in the house. My grandad asked me to send him money to change the land title into my name because he couldnt afford to do so and which I did, because he was moving out to live with is new wife. Unfortunately my grandad passed away in 2006 a day before my birthday. Upon coming to his funeral in Jamaica, I found out from his wife that he never changed the land papers because it was too expensive, and its still in my grandmother's name and she also didnt know where to find the papers to give to me. She now have also died, so I cant get any information from her. I still have been paying the land taxes but it was still being pay in my grandmother's name. A few times I paid online in my name as I live in England. As I have got no paper work I want to prevent anyone from stealing the land as there is also a house on there and I have no one to look after it while am here. It would break my heart if someone stole it because the land was very dear to my grandmother and I dont want to let her down. Please can you help?

Thank You
FROM Arianna Franklyn

Hello am looking for a attorney or lawyer who can help me with getting a land title and other papers, to secure a land and house that was left to me by my grandmother.

RESPONSE:
Dear Arianna Franklyn
Thank you for communicating.
There are a number of issues, and so the answers may have to be posted over a short time period.
Firstly our team of legal leg workers will be able to physically assist you, and you will get an email outlining fees as we go along.

ISSUE 1:YOUR NAME ON TITLE
To do further research, you need to say or provide information on the immediate children - your mom or dad or any other child from the union. Either way, you will need a will, if available, which will need to be probated. Where there is no will you will need certain information/documents to satisfy the relevant court of law that you have rights to the same. The case will be assigned to an attorney, as necessary to represent your interest, but please bear in mind that this stage will be costly - over J$100,000.00.
Do you know if an executor was appointed at any time?

ISSUE 2: TAXES
Please acquire and keep all receipts, as proof that tax was paid by you and on your behalf

ISSUE 3: PREVENTING LAND TAKEOVER
You can assign power-of-attorney to the members of my team to act in your stead to oversee the property, as will be discussed further in an email.
SUMMARISED STEPS-
You will need to submit a document notarised from your area, and send monies to have it stamped and officially registered here as is required by law.
The National Land Agency additionally has its own form to authorise persons to act on your behalf at their office -- so you will need to fill this out notarise and send for their purposes. Please see and that form at this link

SELECT 'Form of Authorisation required by the registrar in respect of applications submitted by lay persons'

OR SIMPLY download form direct here.
The first step will be to do a site visit for assessment of actual condition and status.
All the best for each Jamaican!

Legal Wiz

Tags: jamaica land, title

The Benefits of Holistic Healing

Margaret J. Bailey — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:30:02 UT

Holistic Medicine is defined as a system which fosters the attainment of physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health. The focus is on the whole person, concentrating on physical well being, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors. It is a method of treating illnesses in a non-aggressive manner, by using herbal supplements and cures along with the body's natural ability to heal itself in order to eradicate diseases and ailments.

The difference between Holistic Medicine and Allopathic Medicine (Conventional Medicine), is that Conventional Medicine uses pharmaceutical drugs, aggressive and sometimes invasive methods to diagnose, cure and treat illnesses. Allopathic Medicine only treats the body part that ails, as opposed to the whole body. Therefore, not getting to the root of the problem.

Although, Allopathic treatments offer quicker results by taking antibiotics and other drugs, the body is often compromised by these methods. Pharmaceutical drug consumption and invasive treatments, such as radiation can lead to a build up of toxins in the body, which can ultimately lead to other diseases. Hence, the saying, "Sometimes you need another drug to cure the effects of the drug you took in the first place."

Both Allopathic and Holistic Medicine are important forms of treatment because they offer patients options and a proactive route to their health. These two methods of treatment can be used together, complementing each other in important ways. For instance, a patient who has cancer may seek to use aggressive treatment methods offered by conventional medicine, but they can also use holistic therapies to counteract some of the effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Alternative Medicine offers cost effective ways to achieve positive results for long term illnesses, therefore maintaining quality of life. This type of treatment is a God send for many patients who have been deemed as terminal or without hope. It offers them another reality, allowing them to live the remainder of their days in grace and dignity. Patients with cancer and aids have benefited greatly by using Allopathic methods.

As Caribbeans, we understand the concept of Allopathic Therapies because most of us have been raised using all sorts of herbs and teas to cure ailments. Most Jamaicans only consulted with a Medical Doctor as a last resort, when all other natural methods have been exhausted.

Today, as our economy continues to plummet, most people are turning to Holistic Methods because they are more affordable and offers them the ability to heal themselves on a continual basis through education and familiarity with herbal preparations. When patients seek to use this method of treatment it offers them the opportunity to look at their whole lives and the reasons that could cause their ailments. Once they have modified the factors that have upset their health, and committed themselves to herbal treatments, their bodies begin to heal naturally which requires patience and a tenacious spirit.

Conventional Medicine is often used by patients as a quick fix to long term health issues. If one follows his/her regiment of treatment they are usually guaranteed relief within a short period of time, however, the illness could occur at a later date. In Holistic Healing, Practitioners seek to cure ailments by dealing with all the symptoms associated with them. If one is patient and vigilant, he/she will ultimately reap positive rewards.

Allopathic and Holistic Medicine are extremely important methods of maintaining health, however, it all boils down to personal preference. In the new millenium so many Medical Doctors have embraced Holistic Healing to offer their patients a full range of treatment options, thus making patients feel more in control of their health matters.

Patients will often inquire if herbs can be harmful or have side effects. The answer to this question would be, yes, if they are not used properly. For instance, if one chooses to try a herbal supplement, start off slowly with the smallest dosage. Too much of anything can be unhealthy. If your Doctor prescribes medicine for High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, etc. Do not wean yourselves immediately and replace the pharmaceutical drugs with herbal medicine, with your Doctor's approval try using both. If you feel that you are having more positive results from herbal supplements, then ask your Doctor if it is safe for you to stop using prescription drugs.

In the bible, God tells us that he has blessed us with trees and plants to nourish our bodies and create healing. If herbs are used properly and safely they have the ability to cure a multitude of diseases. In the coming years, where radiation, flu strains, and uncommon illnesses such as Ebola are becoming resistant to prescription antibiotics, folks will be persuaded to resort to Alternative Therapies that have a proven track record to eliminate these diseases.

The natural resources that surround us daily can create healing, and their healing qualities only affirm that when God put us on this Earth he left us equipped to maintain our health and beautiful lives.

For more information on Holistic Healing: http://www.vrabosainaturalhealing.bravehost.com

Tags: Benefits of Holistic Healing

How can I evict 'legal squatters' from my Jamaican home?

Anthea McGibbon — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:30:01 UT

QUESTION: Dear Legal Wiz,

Since 2000 a tenant moved into my property back home in Trench Town, Jamaica. After six months she stopped paying rent. Several representatives tried with no success to collect the rent. In fact she told my last rep that she spent a lot of money on the house to fix it up and make it look good. My representative and neighbours confirm that she lives two doors down from the rented property, which she allows her daughter to occupy. She told my representative that a lot of money is owed on both the light and the water bills.

I have full authority and documents showing that I do own the property. It seems she wants to take over my property as she asked me during my last visit, two years ago, if she could pay the taxes, even though she has still not paid the rent.

Once you did not give permission in any form to carry out repairs or improvements you are not liable to them. However bear in mind that they may have legal footing and support through the Courts for repairs if and where they did notifiy you of necessary repairs (only) and you did nothing

I need her to pay over sums and either way I need her to leave. How can I recover sums and my property from these squatters? Can your team help me?

I am Eric Harvey
Jamaican in New York, USA

RESPONSE:

Dear Mr Harvey,

Thanks for your open line of communication.

Your situation is not unique, and in the end it is always better to be late than sorry in catching up with these persons. First of all these persons are not classified as squatters as at no point in time did you ever ask them officially to leave or take steps to evict them. They entered and are on your property with permission, and are just tenants in arrears for now.

You need to recover your sums and property as soon as is possible, but must be wise in doing so, or the laws of Jamaica will operate against you. At this point you need to

1. Work out all sums owed for rent

2. Have your agents get sums owed to both Jamaica Public Service (light) and National Water Commission (water) in the instance where these are billed to you or anyone under your portfoilio, or representing you.

3. You could also petition these entities to remove your name from the bills and replace with the name of the tenant for the periods that they will be there

4. You must pay the bill balances before beginning a lawsuit for the same from the tenant

5. You can and should begin a lawsuit for recovery of possession with the reason being for rent owed. Bear in mind that at the court appearance, if rent sums are paid up before or on that date, the tenant can return and continue as a tenant at your property. It therefore is wise to state another reason from the allowed listing for recovery such as for personal use and/ or major repair, but ensure that this is as can be proven.

6. Once you did not give permission in any form to carry out repairs or improvements you are not liable to them. However bear in mind that they may have legal footing and support through the Courts for repairs if and where they did notifiy you of necessary repairs (only) and you did nothing
For that they would have to send you a written notice to repair and subtract from the rent within proper timing

At this stage, you do not need to hire a lawyer, and can appoint a power-of-attorney to act on your behalf. You therefore can contract a member of our team for these services and to act on your behalf in Court. More details and advise will follow accordingly once you have secured the team member.

Legal Wiz

Tags: jamaica rent, jamaican home, jamaican property, lawsuit, squatters, trench town

Are you an Employee or Entrepreneur?

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:30:02 UT

In this challenging economy, the terms ‘downsizing’ and ‘outsourcing’ have become a regular part of the workplace vocabulary, and many employees are obliged to look for entrepreneurial ventures to replace their job income. As more students leave the classroom to join the workforce, they find that there are few ready-made jobs awaiting them, so creating a self-generated income source might be their only option.

I believe that practically everyone has the ability to improve their finances by utilising their talents and taking advantage of opportunities, and I always encourage persons to use their creativity to earn part-time income. However, becoming a full-time entrepreneur involves much more than just acting on an idea and sourcing funds to start a business.

It can be debated whether entrepreneurs are born with a natural business instinct, or if persons can be taught to become entrepreneurial. While I believe that there is a little bit of both nature and nurture in each successful business person, there are certain personalities and mindsets that are non-negotiable in order for an entrepreneur to succeed.

At a recent trade exposition, I met two highly creative persons who underlined the vast differences between a true entrepreneur and a dedicated employee. The first, a thirteen year-old high school student, told me of his forays into supplying his friends with high-end phones and computers. By the time we had finished speaking, he had identified the solution for a particular technology need that I had expressed, and had cleverly arranged for my business to source the application.

The other person, a talented marketer, recounted his initiation into business after 15 years of being a star employee. The venture collapsed after a short time and he had sworn off pursuing any more entrepreneurial ideas. He was now in search of the ideal job which would allow him to regain the big spending budgets, status and lifestyle of his past.

Based on the characteristics and mindsets that were revealed in our conversations, it was clear that while they would both be very successful, one would definitely become an entrepreneur and the other should remain employed.

Let’s look at some traits and thoughts that can help you to determine if you are suited for the rigours of entrepreneurship, or if you would be better off sticking to your day job:

Security vs Freedom

While many persons may express discontentment with their jobs, most employees value the perceived security that comes with a regular pay cheque. The thought of not having a fixed salary would leave them worried and despondent. On the other hand, entrepreneurs place higher value on the freedom that comes from being their own bosses. The ability to be masters of their own destiny an irresistible attraction that cannot be bettered by a mere pay slip.

Guarantees vs Risk

Salary perks and health benefits are assurances that are highly desired by most employees. Although they might have to take calculated risks in the course of their jobs, they are more comfortable with these decisions as the financial loss would not be their own. Dictionary.com defines an entrepreneur as “a person who organises and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.” Entrepreneurs willingly accept risk and the possibility of loss as the price they pay for success.

Routine vs Change

There is something very comfortable in routine and predictability for most employees. There is usually a lot of resistance from staff members whenever an organisation is going through change, as it brings uncertainty. Entrepreneurs behave in the opposite way, as they are always looking to shake things up and change around the status quo. In fact, many entrepreneurs end up attempting several business projects in their lifetime, as they are always pursuing ‘the next big idea.’

Dependence vs Self-reliance

Employees like to know that they can depend on their organisations to provide for them. Most employees would prefer if someone in charge made the big decisions and outlined clear paths for their performance. However, the ability to depend on their own ingenuity and initiative is an important survival trait for entrepreneurs. They always trust that their decisions and actions will prove right in the end.

Structure vs Innovation

Organised environments and clarity of direction are important for the wellbeing of most employees. If they lack the facilities to exercise their skills in a functional manner, they would flounder like fish out of water. On the other hand, entrepreneurs can effectively work in less than ideal conditions, as they can use their innovation to create new structures and operating procedures to make their visions become reality.

We need both dedicated employees and adventurous entrepreneurs to have successful workplaces. Without employees, entrepreneurs would not be able to actualise their dreams; without entrepreneurs, there would be no jobs!

Find out if you are naturally suited for the entrepreneurial world by taking this personality test at Forbes.com.

The Upbeat Dad: Blended Family Tip: Plan Activities Around Kids’ Schedule with Other Parent

Rodrick Walters — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:30:02 UT

This week my 12 year old daughter left to spend the summer with her mom in the northeast. The school year ended last week so she’s free to just relax and enjoy life – as carefree as ever. She’s very much looking forward to some downtime the next couple months.

Last weekend, before she left, our family had a getaway – a mini vacation of sorts. We went to the west coast of Florida and took a little break to spend some quality time together. It’s as good a time as we’ve had in quite a while.

That got me thinking about something. What if we took that same trip this coming weekend - after my daughter already left? It certainly wouldn't be the same. Then I wondered about other families like ours - those that have a child who's a member of 2 households - and particularly when the households are in different states. How do you include the kids in your family activities when they're often away with their other parent?

When my former wife and I divorced almost 10 years ago, our daughter became like so many other kids who have seen their happy home become two homes, with her going back and forth between both of them. Because our divorce was a very unpleasant process, I knew the importance of letting our daughter know that despite what happened between her parents, she has always been and will always be loved and cherished.

Over the past several years since the divorce, quite a number of life changes have occurred for our daughter: my ex-relocated to her home state with her; then our daughter came to live with me; then I got remarried; then our son was born. But these are significant changes and she had to adjust to each of them.

Through it all, I’ve done my best to ensure that with all the changes taking place around her, my daughter would always feel loved and very much a part of each of her households. So as much as possible, I try to plan special activities around her schedule. Special family getaways like the one last weekend are timed so that she can be a part of them.

Understandably, there are times when that's not feasible but it's an ideal to aim for. For example, with her away for the summer (till August), if we have a July 4^th Independence Day activity, it would happen without her. But as much as possible, we try to plan special activities with her in mind. My wife and I talked about having a Labor Day barbecue in September after my daughter returns, where we’d invite family and friends. If we do it for the 4^th of July holiday, she’d miss it. It’s all about making her know that she’s a priority in all we do.

Why do I share this? Because I believe that kids from blended families are particularly vulnerable. It's easy for parents to take for granted the fact that the kids have to adjust to the changing circumstances. Since I went through the divorce, I have tried, as much as possible to have our daughter have as normal a life as one could have - even with divorced parents.

I recall times when she would say, "All my cousins have their mom and dad at home; why do I have to go back and forth between two homes?" What's a dad to say in response to that? Well, here we are years later and her perspective has changed so much. She appreciates the collective efforts by her mom and me to make her life as smooth and carefree as possible. Interestingly, last weekend while we were on our trip she said, "I'm the luckiest girl alive! I have 2 homes where everybody loves me. I’m here now having the time of my life and I’m going to my mom next week to have more fun." What a difference in perspective!

If you're a parent of kids who have 2 homes, please do your best to create the environment where they feel that they're an integral member of each household. Plan your family activities around their schedule as much as possible. Let them know that their happiness is your top priority. If they feel insecure about the changes taking place around them, encourage them with kind words and follow up with kind deeds. Be consistent in displaying your love for them. That does wonders for their self-esteem.

Kids are a joy and a wonder. And those of us who have the privilege of being parents are fortunate. When our marriages and other relationships don't quite work out, let's remember that our role as parents is the role of a lifetime - nothing can undo that. Let's do our best to assure them of our unchanging love - both by our words and deeds. By including them in our activities, that lets them feel valued and appreciated. And that's what parenthood is all about.

Enjoy your day.

The Upbeat Dad

About the Author
Rodrick Walters is a professional speaker and the founder of The Upbeat Dad, an organization whose mission is to advocate the positive effect that fathers can have on children's lives. His daily blog is read by thousands of individuals from all over the world. Readers of the blog are fathers, mothers and children who support the view that kids are better off when both parents are involved in their lives. Rodrick went through a bitter divorce in 2001, during which he saw first-hand the impact on his then 3 year old daughter. He has since given motivational talks to parents and children about the impact of divorce on families. He remarried in 2009 and is the father of a newborn son. His daughter, who is now 12, lives with his new family. Rodrick is a native of Jamaica. He and his family reside in Miami, Florida. Visit his blog at: http://www.theupbeatdad.com

Tags: The Upbeat Dad: Making the Most of Your Time as a Single Dad

The Upbeat Dad: Making the Most of Your Time as a Single Dad

Rodrick Walters — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:30:02 UT

Since I started the Upbeat Dad last October, I’ve developed a running list of ideas to write about. Ideas come to me at different points throughout the day or night and I simply take out my Blackberry and add to the list.

A couple of months ago my 12 year old daughter said to me, “Daddy, I have an idea of a blog post that you can write.” She proceeded to tell me something quite profound. I wrote the post the next day and it was well received by our audience. Since then, she’s amazed me with some of the most innovative ideas for writing – so much so that I’ve developed a separate list of blog ideas from her. Today’s post is such an idea.

She recently reminded me of our life when it was just the two of us – after my divorce and before my new marriage. That was a 7 year period and though it certainly was not what I had planned for when I got married to her mom, it was a situation that was presented to us and we just had to make the most of it.

The 7 year period came in two distinct phases – parenting from a distance and parenting full-time. After the divorce, she lived with her mom primarily but came to me frequently. But when her mom moved back to her home state, I became a long distance dad. After a few years, she came to live with me primarily so I then became a fulltime daily dad. Through it all, we have cultivated such a close and loving bond that it just thrills me to speak of her.

This post is written from the heart and I know that any dad who is or has ever been single can benefit from some of the issues I’ll address. I encourage you to read and share with those whom you believe would benefit.

When my marriage ended in the early 2000s, my biggest concern was our daughter and her well-being. We had accumulated material things but to me, none of that mattered – our daughter was the only important consideration. As it turned out, I lost practically everything – the house and its effects and much more. Again, none of that mattered. Our daughter was and still is the best result of that marriage. That’s why, despite the many challenges that we went through during the marriage and the legal ending of the marriage, I will always say that I’m so glad that I married my former wife because without her, my daughter would not be here today. She made the entire process worth it.

She and I have always been close. I joke with her that I was the first person she ever saw (since I was in the delivery room). During her first 3 years, while our then family was together, she bonded with both my former wife and me. When the marriage ended, it was very important for each of us to maintain that bond.

As a new divorcee, I had to adjust quite readily to the life of a single dad. Since my daughter wasn’t with me all the time, I needed to maximize each moment with her. Initially, the time we spent together was meager, at best – a day here or there; then overnight; then the weekend; and so on and so on. But however little or much time we were together, it was time well spent.

When her mom relocated to her home state, I wasn’t a happy camper at all. It certainly wasn’t my desire but I just had to deal with what the legal system allowed. I committed to being the best long distance dad I could be. And you know what? I thought it was such a bad thing at first but in hindsight, I think that solidified our relationship. What do I mean by that? Well, from a distance, I chose to become even more involved in every aspect of her life.

You see, from a distance, we could easily have seen the manifestation of the phrase “out of sight, out of mind.” So I really had to be proactive. I called her school and introduced myself to the school officials. I visited when I could. I went over her homework on the phone each day. I was just a dad – though at a distance. And that brought us closer.

The really cool thing to me was that when she was with me, it was no longer for a couple days – it was for extended periods. She spent the entire summer with me. And every break from school –Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, etc – she was with me. When her mom lived locally, one thing that happened quite a bit with her was separation anxiety. As she left one of us to go to the other, she’d often cry. With us living in different cities, as difficult as that was, on the one hand, it minimized the times when she had to experience the apparent discomfort of going from one parent to the other.

The times we spent together during those days were truly special. She reminded me today of a trip we took to Disney World. We got up early in the morning and made the 3 ½ hour drive to Orlando. And it was a day of magic at the Magic Kingdom. That’s something we will never forget – just a dad and daughter at the place where wishes come true, having the time of their lives.

When she came to live with me primarily (approximately 4 years after the divorce), it took my parenting to another level. As I wrote about in the post on my blog, The Story of My Blended Family By The Upbeat Dad, being a single dad of a child who is with you during the fun times in the summer is much different from being a fulltime dad. So developing a regular schedule was now of great importance. There was school to deal with. Along with homework, there were teacher conferences; there were appointments with her tutor; there were piano lessons. Oh and by the way, I had a new business to run. My 24 hour life was consumed with being a dad – but believe me, I loved every minute of it.

I was fortunate to have a good support system – my sister and her family and so many other relatives and friends. Without them, I’m not sure how I would’ve managed. I couldn’t exactly take my young child to every business meeting that I had. Plus, though I’m good at many things, I can’t really do girls’ hair all that well. Family helped with that quite a bit. The expression “it takes a village to raise a child” is very true. I was a single dad but I certainly wasn’t alone.

I did have the need for companionship – a need that was fulfilled when I met my wife. But throughout the 7 years of being a single dad, I can honestly say that I didn’t feel as if I wasn’t missing out on anything. I often hear single parents speak of the need for companionship to the extent that they cannot seem to be content with just being parents to their kids. I saw it differently – I didn’t seek to become a single dad but since the situation presented itself, I chose to embrace it and made the best of it.

By the way, if you’re a single dad, check out the post Dating 101 for the Divorced Dad. I share some tips on just how to make the most of the dating experience while protecting your kids and their emotions in the process.

I hope that this post has been enlightening in some ways and encouraging in other ways. Regardless of the circumstances that lead to single parenthood, I strongly encourage both men and women to embrace the role of nurturing and caring for the young, innocent children when relationships don’t quite work out. Children from so-called broken relationships should not have to miss out on the best things in life.

If you’re a single dad – whether or not your kids are with you primarily – I encourage you to learn from some of these tips. Carve out time in your busy schedule to let your kids know they are loved and they’re your top priority. It might take some juggling on your part but through it all, if you make the investment in your kids’ lives, it will reap huge dividends as time passes along.

Today I’m happily married with a wonderful wife and two kids (we have an 8 month old son). But I strongly believe that, had I not chosen to embrace my life as a single dad, things wouldn’t be as they are today. If you’re a single dad or mom, just cherish the love of your kids and in time – perhaps sooner than you think – you’ll have the ideal life that you think and dream about.

I thank my daughter for suggesting that I write on this topic. It’s quite timely and a very necessary subject matter. I hope you’ve benefited greatly from it.

Have yourself a wonderful day!

Tags: The Upbeat Dad: Making the Most of Your Time as a Single Dad

Getting a land title in Jamaica with a diagram

Anthea McGibbon — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:30:01 UT

QUESTION:
Dear Legal Wiz,
Hi,
I would like to find out how to get some land titles. I have a diagram for property already surveyed.

Gladstone Griffiths

ANSWER:
Dear Gladstone,

Your email is quite short. However, here is a brief list of the documents you need for application of a registered land title in Jamaica and procedures.

Your email is quite short. However, here is a brief list of the documents you need for application of a registered land title in Jamaica and procedures.

1. An application in the form prescribed by the Registrar of Titles Act and signed by the applicant and witnessed
2. A Statuary Declaration by the applicant to prove possession (a statutory declaration is a written statement confirmed by oath)
3. Supporting Statutory Declarations to prove ownership from two persons who have known the land for at least 30 years in cases where the application does not have a Conveyance.
4. A up-to-date certificate of payment of Property Tax
5. A pre-checked Survey diagram (if land is being registered by plan) THIS YOU SAY YOU ALREADY HAVE!
6. Any document you may have proving ownership eg receipt, conveyance, probate, certificate of compliance, under the Facilities for Titles Act
7. Applications otherwise than by Plan must describe the land so as to enable identification of the location of the parcel on the ground by reference to a landmark and state the name by which the property is known.
8. Other documents and procedures include paying Stamp Duty and Transfer tax to the Commissioner of Stamp Duty and Transfer Tax as applicable, caveats.
You can call the National Land Titles Office at 946-5263 or 750-5263 for a brochure detailing the same.

PROCESSING:

Your documents will go through a series of processing.
1. The documents will be checked
2. The survey plan will be submitted to the Survey Mapping Division to be checked to ensure that the land is not yet registered, and that the plan is acceptable
3. All the documents will be submitted to the Referee of Titles for consideration
4. All other procedures up to and including availability of title for said land will be detailed to you, once approved

EDITOR'S NOTE

NOW do remember that fees are involved at different stages, as well as other documents may be required on a case-by-case basis. There also may be challenges presented along the way if all documents are not prepared accordingly, nor procedures followed or otherwise such as the issue of someone lodging a caveat against the application.
[CAVEAT: 4.A formal notice to a court or public official that the notifier has an interest in a matter or property and requests the suspension of some procedure or proceeding concerning the matter or property until the notifier is given a hearing. - online law dictionary definition]

So, do work diligently, or have someone with proven knowledge and/or experience act on your behalf or guide you.
SEE National Land Agency website FOR MORE

NOTE: Most information sourced from National Land Agency office and brochure: How To Obtain a Registered Title

Legal Wiz

Tags: land title, survey

The Upbeat Dad: Dating 101 For the Divorced Dad

Rodrick Walters — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:30:01 UT

If you’re familiar with The Upbeat Dad, you probably know that I went through a divorce in the early 2000s. You probably also know that I got remarried in 2009. I am fortunate to have two children – one from each of my marriages. Now, that’s not the way I planned it when I got married in the mid ‘90s but that’s just the reality of the situation. I’m happily married now and I intend to remain that way for the rest of my life.

Today’s post is about an issue that I think ought to be addressed. I’ve never met anyone who really planned to get married, have kids, then divorce, then date, then get remarried. It’s just not something we think about. Most of us – men and women – get married “till death do us part.” But in reality, half of the population doesn’t exactly fulfill that vow. Life happens and when it does, sometimes marriages fail. Sometimes these failed marriages produced children and that’s when it can get complicated.

I recall that when I experienced the failure of my first marriage, I was torn in so many ways. The process was difficult for all involved, particularly my daughter who was 3 years old at the time. What I realized was what so many around the world experience. The ending of our marriage was not on the most friendly of terms.

Then I went through something that was so difficult to understand and explain: the apple of my eye – my daughter and little angel was my direct connection to the person from whom I was getting a divorce. And that's a lifetime relationship – not like in the past when we could just go our separate ways and never see or hear from each other again. We were breaking up but we'll forever be connected. I had mixed emotions, to say the least. One, I loved with my whole heart; the other, I once loved but we were now moving on to a different phase in our relationship.

Have you ever experienced that? It’s something that you’d probably have to go through to really understand. My emotions were torn as my daughter and soon-to-be former wife were on totally opposite ends of the spectrum.

I really don’t write much about my former marriage other than to say it ended and our daughter was a product of that relationship. But I’ll just say quickly here that for me, the thought of dating and going through courtship all over again wasn’t something I really wanted to deal with.

When I said, “I do,” I thought it was for life. So my entire focus was on that vow. I didn’t make a contingency plan - a plan B, in case the relationship didn’t work out. Why wouldn’t it? My parents got married in the early 60s and are still in love to this day. So you couldn’t have told me that we would’ve gotten divorced. Anyway, my reality was that my marriage ended.

You might wonder why I share such a personal story. The fact of the matter is that marriages all around the world end every day. And the emotions that people feel are very real. Having gone through the pain and the loss of appetite and disappointment of that experience, I believe that I can help others navigate their way through this crossroads that life presents.

One of the best things I can recommend to newly divorced dads is to give yourselves time to heal. When you get married, your heart is involved – or at least it should be. And even though you and your wife are two different individuals, in a sense, you’re really one unit. Your heart is the center of your being. So your heart merges with your spouse’s heart and you become one person, in a figurative sense.

When your marriage does end, your heart needs to become whole again before you can really move on. For many of us men, we jump right from our marriages into a new relationship. More often than not, that relationship is short-lived. It’s what some refer as a rebound. We’re used to having someone in our life so we find someone new but our heart is still not mended. So we subconsciously compare the new person to the person that we’ve just broken up with. And that’s not fair to them.

This point isn’t something that I’m just saying for the sake of saying it. I experienced it personally and I know the reality of that situation. I realized that until I was healed and ready to move into a new relationship, I really shouldn’t be involved emotionally with anyone. Have you heard the expression “hurt people, hurt people”? Well it’s true. It’s not something you intend to do but when you’re hurt, you end up hurting others, at least until you’re whole.

The next phase I’d like to touch on is this: when you’re healed and whole and ready for a relationship, be very careful about how you handle the courtship as a parent. For your kids, it’s not good for them to be exposed to new people in your life when you’re just feeling out the process. Not every person you date needs to meet your kids. We sometimes make the mistake of thinking that that’s a good thing. What happens all too often is that the kids get attached to a new person and then if that new relationship doesn’t work out, to them it’s like their parents are getting divorced all over again. Believe me, this is real.

In the 5 years between my divorce and me beginning to date my new wife, I dated on and off. But none of those relationships got close to becoming a marriage. Even though my daughter met some of the persons I dated, she just knew them as a friend of her father – nothing more. We didn't spend hours together as a pseudo famiIy. I really didn’t want to confuse her because I was determined to shield her from what so many kids experience. I didn’t want her to get attached and then get disappointed if a relationship didn’t work out.

When my wife and I started dating in 2007, it didn’t take me long to realize that she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She was a keeper for sure! As the months went by and we started discussing marriage, I knew that the inevitable discussion with my daughter about her needed to be initiated. They met and got along just fine so that was good to know.

When I told my daughter that we were planning to get married, I wasn’t really prepared for her response. What resulted was a teachable moment and I’m glad I had the insight to share the words with her that I did. She said that she liked my soon- to-be fiancée but she was concerned that for so long, she had my heart all to herself but now she had to share my heart and she wasn’t prepared for that. She expressed concern also that if I got married, she would be less significant to me.

One thing I learned as a single/divorced dad was to always reassure her that she’s my priority. And as she shared these concerns, I listened to her. Whether I liked what she said or not, her emotions were very real so I had to acknowledge that. We had a series of open discussions about the pending new marriage. And as time went on, she warmed up to the idea – especially as she saw that she wasn’t being replaced by any means.

My wife has been an angel through all this. Perhaps I should ask her to write her own blog post on how she handled the process of coming into my daughter’s life. What she did was simply genius. She didn’t force herself into her life. She was simply very nice towards her, without being pushy. And she let my daughter know that she wasn’t trying to replace her mom in any way. She was just calm, cool and collected.

Next month (February) my wife and I will celebrate our 2^nd year of marriage. Our 12 year old daughter and 5 month old son are in the home with us. And thanks to my wife’s wisdom and my daughter’s understanding and the way I chose to introduce a new person into my daughter’s life, we have a happy home, one where love truly reigns. I don’t have to worry when I’m not at home because I know that they get along just fine and do love and respect each other.

I hope that this post is of some help to dads and moms who might be in the process of dating after a divorce or a broken relationship. It’s not easy to move on but there’s a way that it can be done while reassuring the kids that all is well.

I believe in life after divorce. I believe in love after divorce. With the right approach we can write a happy ending to our stories that often start out far from happy. Life goes on, believe me. And it’s good to make lemonade from the lemons that sometimes come our way.

The Upbeat Dad: Life Lessons from The Olympian

Rodrick Walters — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:30:02 UT

Today’s article, on the surface, might appear to be about an Olympic athlete. But if you look deeper, it’s a lesson for every person. Each of us has goals, dreams and ideals that we seek. For many of us, we struggle for years before we get that breakthrough that we’ve yearned for. We make sacrifices. We work morning, noon and night to reach the goals that we aim for.

My poem, The Olympian, was published in 2006 in my book Poems of Inspriation: A Daily Dose of Self-Motivation. Interestingly, two years later, at the 2008 summer Olympic games in Beijing, Usain Bolt of Jamaica became the literal manifestation of the poem. Prior to then, relatively few people had heard his name. Earlier that year, many persons heard his name for the first time as he set the new world record in the 100 meter dash. Still, that occurred at a relatively unknown event that few outside of the sports world even watched.

But Bolt “bolted” to the headlines of the summer games in Beijing, setting world records in the 100 meter and 200 meter dash in the process. Someone who grew up in relative obscurity in a small country, almost overnight, became a household name on the biggest stage possible as an athlete. His lifetime quest was reached in a matter of seconds. That’s powerful, isn’t it?

How does this relate to us? The goals that we pursue might be career oriented; or perhaps family or even personal. Whatever the case, we have the ideals that we aim for. And every so often, an opportunity to shine becomes available to us. We have the chance to seize the moment, and in so doing, we can live the life of our dreams.

As we get started on this new week, let the story of the Olympian inspire you. Picture yourself in the starting blocks as you prepare to run the race of your life. Great possibilities lie ahead for you and your family as you seize the opportunities that life presents to you.

Enjoy reading:

The Olympian
By Rodrick Walters

I've waited all my life for these next ten seconds.
Getting up early in the morning to train this body of mine.
Preparing it like a well-oiled machine. Denying myself
the pleasures of life all for this moment.
This is my personal mission.
These beads of sweat dripping down my face
might as well be blood. Because I have given everything
for this moment. I don't even see the people
in the lanes next to me all I see is that finish line.
I must be the first to reach it.
I refuse to be denied.
Ten seconds is all it will take.
And my life will never be the same.

Let’s go out and make it a great week – one that we’ll never forget. And like the Olympian, our lives will never be the same!

Making Money with Renewable Resources

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:30:01 UT

The ability to flick a switch and receive electric light, or to turn a tap and get potable water are everyday processes that many of us take for granted. However, advancements which allow us to live more comfortably can sometimes prove to be double-edged swords as they can bring both positive and negative effects.

Our increasing demand for modern-day amenities is putting tremendous stress on the environment. We rely on non-renewable fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas to produce more energy; these sources have been tied to air pollution and global warming. While water is largely a renewable resource, activities such as deforestation and ground water contamination affect its suitability for human consumption.

As scientists and environmentalists struggle to find ways to protect the earth’s natural resources, we must remember that every problem contains the seeds for potential profit. Here in Jamaica, the government has devised a National Energy Policy that aims to diversify our country’s energy base by“exploring indigenous sources of energy and clean technology.” The policy also promises to “inject life into research institutions and generate new, ‘green’ jobs.”

This national energy thrust brings good tidings for potential earnings and savings for the country. For the discerning entrepreneur, the energy and environmental crises can also present various business opportunities. Let’s look at some of the renewable resource areas that can be targeted for money-making ideas:

Solar Energy

Solar power, obtained from sunlight, is a perpetual source of energy which is not depleted by human use of it. We can harness light from the sun by utilising solar panels and photovoltaic cells to convert this free resource into electrical energy.

I remember the first time I saw a solar-powered device about 15 years ago. An elderly family friend had fashioned a solar cooker that took several hours to fully cook a large pot of rice and peas. Although it was a less costly way to prepare a meal, it seemed impractical for my faster pace of life.

Today, solar devices are fast becoming a viable alternative for many householders. Technological improvements and the demand for cleaner energy have helped to make solar energy more affordable for everyday use. Water heaters, refrigerators, fans, calculators and mobile phone chargers are some of the products that can be powered by the sun’s energy.

Wind Energy

Just like the energy produced from the sun, wind can supply a perpetual and clean source of power. Wind has been used for thousands of years to create energy in limited applications; but over the past 30 years, wind-operated systems have become more visible.

In order to harness the wind’s energy for our use, a fan-like device called a turbine is utilised. When the wind turns the turbine, it creates mechanical energy that can be converted to electricity with the use of generators. From a single turbine which lights up a small home, to large wind farms supplying electricity to entire communities, wind energy is becoming more widespread as it can significantly reduce the cost of power.

Biomass Energy

Biomass is the biological material present in plant or animal life. We can harvest biomass in trees, food crops or animal waste to make energy. This process can be as basic as burning wood to create heat. Scientists have created more sophisticated methods to release the potential energy in biomass.

When a biomass energy system produces energy used to heat, cool or provide electricity, we call it bio-energy; when it creates liquids for mainly transportation purposes we use the term bio-fuel. One example is the use of bagasse, which is the fibre left over from crushed sugar cane. The bagasse can be burnt to supply heat which can then power an electric generator. Another case is used cooking oil, which can be turned into bio-diesel to run motor vehicles.

Because biomass energy can utilise waste material to create energy, it is an attractive alternative. The Jamaican government has drafted a National Energy-from-Waste Policy to pursue sustainable strategies in creating energy from solid waste in landfills, and various forms of biomass.

Potable Water

Human life cannot exist without water. Around the world, access to potable water is becoming more challenging due to the pollution of water sources and the effects of deforestation on the climate. Although the Earth is not short of water, only a small percentage can be consumed in its current form.

In a few years, water may become the ‘new oil’ because of its scarcity and expense. Some of the strategies to combat this include water sourcing through wells, rain water harvesting, waste water conversion and water collection technology.

Earning Opportunities

The demand for alternative energy and new water sources will continue to dominate the local and global marketplace. Enterprising business persons should get familiar with emerging products and technologies that can alleviate some of the problems outlined above. Search online for more details about Jamaica’s National Energy Policy.

Opportunities will abound in the energy field with energy auditing; designing, manufacturing and retailing energy-efficient products; and servicing energy equipment. With water, look for options in bottling water, sourcing water for household and agricultural use, making rain-harvesting equipment, developing methods to clean used water, and retailing water collection devices.

One door is closed, another is open: Making your comeback from a setback

Devon Harris — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:30:02 UT

You may have heard of Bob Marley. He is the Jamaican philosopher/reggae superstar who has penned many memorable songs including one of my favorites: Coming in from the Cold. In this particular song, Marley queries, “Why do you look so sad and forsaken?” Then, without waiting for an answer, Marley offers up some sound advice in the form of a rhetorical question: “When one door is closed, don't you know another is open?”

For many of us, when a door closes, we feel our world has come to an abrupt end, even when it's US who consciously decided to close the door on a particular chapter of our lives. No matter the reasons or circumstances for a closed door, take care not to lose hope. Not to see an end, rather to look for another entry.

Though often unwelcome and unexpected, change is inevitable. Shifting attention from what we've lost or have been shut off from to what we still have in hand or what we can achieve through another door can be very difficult. As Bob Marley says, we get “sad and forsaken” because we desperately want to hold on to what we have in hand instead of venturing into the dreaded unknown. The truth is that if the door is closed, locked, sealed forever, continuing to focus on it expecting to find a way in will be a grand waste of time. We have no choice but to recalculate our path forward.

Of course, I understand the dilemma. Over the last three years, we have seen investments evaporate in the stock markett, jobs sail overseas. We grapple with trepidation and uncertainty about what the future holds.

Many people with a mortgage, car note, and kids to put through college have found themselves on one side of a sealed door while their lifesavings or assumed earnings are on the other. Finding yourself in such a predicament can be unnerving at best, but grousing or brooding has yet to bring even one job back. When the door slams on a current opportunity, start looking towards an alternative entry.

The new door represents a chance to learn new skills, a chance to improve yourself, remake yourself to achieve gainful employment. Instead of fixating on what could have been, tap your imagination to see what can still be. Search your soul to rediscover what it is you truly want to get out of life and, perhaps more importantly, to put into life. When you find yourself "locked out" or "sealed off" from your presumed life path, get creative. Take action.

The stories of folks who have lost their jobs, retooled themselves, and found employment in a different industry or who have become self-made entrepreneurs are myriad and inspiring. I recently read a story about a woman named Maura Jarve. She got laid off from her job while on maternity leave. Maternity leave! Did she become angry and vengeful? In fact, she did. But only initially. She quickly refocused. Rather than fretting over the fact that a door had just closed on her. She looked for new way forward, a door that led to a path to owning her own company. Now she employs her creative genius and others to help small and medium sized companies build their brands and create better images of who they are and what they can do. In other words, instead of bringing herself down, she's uplifting others… and getting paid for it!

The lesson learned: do not crawl into a shell and hide with shame because you lost your savings, your job, or both. Do not dwell on blaming your boss, the government… the cruel and unjust universe! Instead, decide that it is time to work harder, increase your focus and determination. Redirect your anger and frustration. Take the knowledge and experience you have garnered from this lost opportunity and compress it into a platform that you can stand on to see the future, a launching pad that will propel you toward higher goals, faster and more efficiently.

Keep On Pushing!

About the Author
Devon Harris is a member of the original "Cool Runnings" Jamaica Bobsled Team which competed in 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. He has also competed in the 1992 Olympics in Albertville , France and the 1988 Games in Nagano, Japan. He is currently a Motivational Keynote Speaker, Workshop Facilitator and Author. Visit his website at http://devonharrislive.com

The Upbeat Dad: Life Lessons from The Karate Kid Movie

Rodrick Walters — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:45:01 UT

For this week’s article , I’ll share with you a life lesson I learned from a movie I watched over the 2010 Christmas holidays – The Karate Kid. It’s a remake of the 1984 movie with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita – this version features Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. If you haven’t watched it, it’s a movie I highly recommend. Smith’s character was a boy named Dre Parker and Chan played a maintenance man named Mr. Han. Parker’s father passed away and his mom got a job in China so the boy, who was about 10-13 years old, had to leave the United States for a new country where he had to learn of a new culture and a new language, among other things. Han worked in the apartment complex where Parker and his mother lived.

Parker had a hard time fitting in socially because he was new and very different. At school, he was ridiculed, bullied and beaten up by older boys. He complained to his mom that he wanted to go back home to the US because he didn’t like it in the new country. He had no father and though his mother loved him, he was a lonely boy who was a social misfit. “I wanna go home!” he cried to his mother.

Before I go any further, I wonder how many of us can relate to this part of the story in more than just a casual way. Perhaps when we were children we had the same plight. Or perhaps right now our kids are facing this same difficult situation. I know that this first part of the movie captured my attention immediately.
In many ways, I was like Parker – I left a small town in Jamaica at age 12 and moved to the big city, Houston, Texas. My first several years here in the US were horrible. I loved my life at home but at school I was a social misfit. I had very little friends. As a matter of fact, kids used to ridicule me and call me the Lone Ranger – because I was always alone. And for the first time in my life, I spoke with a weird accent. Go figure! All of those issues were tough on a growing child who just wanted to fit in and be like everyone else.

I’m so thankful that I had my parents and siblings because I don’t know how I would’ve made it without my wonderful home life to look forward to each day after a miserable time at school. I don’t regret those days at all – as a matter of fact, I embrace them now because they helped to shape and mold me into who I am today.

Now back to the story: Here’s the part of the Karate Kid that I want to highlight. Mr. Han stepped into Dre Parker’s life and not only taught him the physical karate skills so that he could defend himself, he also became a father figure to him. He mentored the young man to the point that Parker’s whole view on life was revolutionized. He developed a certain level of mental toughness that helped him both in the physical practice of karate as well as the mental practice of surviving in a tough environment.

A key part of the movie that stood out to me was how Han got Parker to even begin developing his body for the art of karate. Each day when Parker came for lessons, Han would tell him to stand in one spot and take his jacket off and then put it back on. He would simply say, “Jacket off!” Then, “Jacket on!” He repeated this process for hours every day. Parker became increasingly frustrated with what he believed was Han punishing him. He kept saying, “Can we start learning karate now?”

One day after another lengthy “jacket off, jacket on” session, Parker got so upset that he quit and walked away. On his way out he said something to the effect of, “I know why you won’t teach me karate. It’s because you don’t know it. You don’t know how to do it!”

It’s at this point, when Parker became so irate that he was willing to just quit and walk away, that the beauty of this unorthodox training was revealed. Han called Parker back and showed him that the entire “jacket off, jacket on” routine was to develop his muscles in a unique way that he could excel as a karate champion. All those difficult, frustrating, boring hours that Parker thought were a waste of time were actually an investment in developing his own body. His reflexes were much better. The entire learning process became so much easier because he went through what he thought was punishment by a man who really didn’t know what he was doing.

As it turned out, Parker entered a karate tournament against some of the best young karate experts in China and based on the rigorous training that Han put him through, he won the entire tournament! What an accomplishment!

There are so many life lessons in this story. First of all, Mr. Han became a father and mentor to a fatherless boy. He helped to guide him by teaching him the essential skills to succeed in the tournament and overall in life. How many of us have sought out young boys and girls who may not have the best home environment and try to mentor them? My heart goes out to such young people. And even if they were like Parker who had a loving mother, they still need the valuable lessons that a positive mentor can give.

Another lesson in the movie is that sometimes we learn the best lessons in the most unconventional and unorthodox ways. There was Parker thinking the boring routine was punishment; while at that time he was in the developmental stages of becoming a master at his craft. One phrase that I have coined is, “That which I thought was the death of me became the key to my victory.” That could certainly be said of Parker.

As parents we should know what’s best for our kids. And yes, sometimes they get frustrated and rebel. Sometimes they say, “But everybody else is doing this, why can’t I?” It’s at those times that we have to do what’s best for them even if it pains them in the process.

About the Author

Rodrick Walters is a professional speaker and the founder of The Upbeat Dad, an organization whose mission is to advocate the positive effect that fathers can have on children's lives. His daily blog is read by thousands of individuals from all over the world. Readers of the blog are fathers, mothers and children who support the view that kids are better off when both parents are involved in their lives. Rodrick went through a bitter divorce in 2001, during which he saw first-hand the impact on his then 3 year old daughter. He has since given motivational talks to parents and children about the impact of divorce on families. He remarried in 2009 and is the father of a newborn son. His daughter, who is now 12, lives with his new family. Rodrick is a native of Jamaica. He and his family reside in Miami, Florida. Visit his blog at: http://www.theupbeatdad.com

Tags: children, divorce, Dwyane Wade, Father, Miami Heat, NBA

Career Survival for Women During A Recession

Margaret Juliet Bailey — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 08:45:01 UT

The current newscasts report that men are following behind women in the job market due to despondency and a sense of hopelessness, caused by the current depressive state of the economy. Even though, women seem to be excelling in the work force, they are still underpaid and usually the first to get laid off in an economic crisis.

Although the job market boasts that approximately 46% of women are currently being employed in the workforce, working in jobs ranging from Law and Medical professions to supporting roles. The economy is rapidly declining and funding is becoming scarce. Forcing companies to downsize or file Bankruptcy. It causes the most industrious of women to turn to small business ownership and entrepreneurial pursuits.

The Life of an Entrepreneur can be a transforming experience. Yet, there are times when the Entrepreneurial Life is filled with incredible highs and lows, as well as pitfalls and difficulties.

Many Entrepreneurs can attest to the ambivalence they felt regarding their list of successes and failures on the road of entrepreneurial endeavors. Sometimes the failures outweighed the successes causing tremendous frustrations and fears. However, many Entrepreneurs such as Alexander Graham Bell, Benjamin Franklin and Oprah Winfrey remained tenacious and gained notoriety and longevity through diligent efforts, research and a good support system. Thus, overcoming obstacles along the way.

Novice Entrepreneurs are finding solace and successful strategies with the help of Life Coaches and Business Strategists.

Ellie Nieves, Esq., has been working relentlessly with emerging women leaders, solo-entrepreneurs and business groups to help them attain optimum career success. She is the President and CEO of Leadership Strategies for Women, LLC. Her career achievments include being an exceptional Attorney for the Government Relations Department at Met Life Insurance Company, where she later assumed the role of Chief of Staff to the president of Met Life International. Ms. Nieves encourages her clients to flourish personally and professionally. Her coaching strategies are unique because they encourage individuals and businesses to approach Leadership holistically.

Her programs are designed to Inspire, Motivate and Challenge. She firmly believes that success is attained through defining a mission. Her lectures urge her clients to develop their leadership skills, because leading eventually aligns individuals with maximum career triumphs.

In a struggling economy, where job security is a condition of the past. Many people are embracing Entrepreneurship. Ellie Nieves helps women entrepreneurs to develop their leadership skills. Encouraging her clients to set goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. Her mantra, "Show Up, Speak Up and Step Up" are the three strategies she feels that emerging women leaders need to embrace.

In her coaching sessions, she teaches clients how to have faith at work without compromising career successes. A strategy that most employees have not learned how to master effectively.

Leadership Strategies for Women have maintained their longevity because Ms. Nieves uses her life experiences as a woman of faith, wife, stepmother and mentor to empower women.

Her Leadership Strategies and services include one on one coaching, group coaching, vision retreats, diversity strategies and social media strategies.

The reports of a recession and impending doom and gloom doesn't have to deter anyone's ambition from taking them to great heights, especially if they utilize the resources that will enable them to catpault their Entrepreneurial Endeavors into a successful career or business.

Ellie Nieves, Esq. is a Women's Leadership Speaker and Certified Life Coach. For more information, you can view her VideoBio at: http://videobio.com/enieves/ or goto her website: www.LeadershipStrategiesforWomen.com

Tags: Career Survival for Women During a Recession

How can a US-based farm get farmworkers through the Jamaican government?

Anthea McGibbon — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:30:01 UT

QUESTION:

Dear Legal Wiz,

Our intention is to hire qualified Jamaicans almost immediately

Based on the Treaty existing between the Ja govt and US Department re the farm work programme, how can a US-based farm partner with the Farm work programme already established by Jamaican government? Our intention is to hire qualified Jamaicans almost immediately, as opposed to being subjected to the two-year process by Florida before being allowed to hire such I nternational workers. Our produce comprise sorrel, peppers, pumpkin, cabbage, callaloo, seasoning.

LEGAL WIZ:

First and foremostly, you must submit a letter to Ministry of Labour and Social Security, c/o the Minister. To date that person is Honourable Pearnel Charles
The address is :
1 F North Street
Kingston
Following receipt of the email, the contents and company will be investigated, before any formal proposal/contract can be determined and made.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions on legal proceedings back home can be submitted to legalwiz@jamaicans.com. Questions will then be processed by team specialists in each area, and selected answers will be placed in relevant Questions and Answers sections of participating mediahouses and sites. These include Street Hype Newspaper in New York, Yush.com (UK), The Agriculturalist, Jamaicans.com advice channel and on www.antheamcgibbon.com.
For actual legwork, follow ups and other needed legal assistant services in Jamaica not requiring the full services of an attorney you may call 876-530-5744 or 305-648-6963 or simply write to legalwiz@jamaicans.com or antheaart@yahoo.com, legalwizwork@yahoo.com to make private arrangements beyond the commitment of this mediahouse.
Physical office is at Suite # 1, 3 South Avenue, Swallowfield, Kingston 5, Jamaica West Indies
The fee range starts at a minimum of US$50.00/£32.00 for the service if beyond reasonable

Tags: farm work, Jamaica government, treaty, US

Cyber Love, International Style

Margaret J. Bailey — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:45:02 UT

Does anyone remember watching Love, American Style in the '70's?

It made the ritual of falling in love seem so easy, in the time frame of 30 minutes, we watched couples make love connections, work-out a few issues and then marry by the end of the show. As we grew older, we realized that when it came to matters of the heart there wasn't a speedy resolution.

In 2010, where Technology and the Internet have taken over the way we communicate, most people find themselves "hooking up" or connecting via the web. From Facebook, Twitter, and dating websites, these conduits have become our society's way of finding love.

People have become so timid to have live interaction with someone of interest, they would rather communicate with them behind a screen. Gone are the days when men and women felt comfortable reaching out to each other with the hopes of having a love connection. Love in real life seemed to offer comfort in knowing that there weren't any twists or surprises, because what we saw, was what we got. If things didn't work out, we would "chalk" it up to incompatibility or bad timing.

Cyber Love has revolutionozed the dating process. In the Cyber Kingdom, one can meet a paramour within the blink of an eye. Most of the tedious work has been done for us. Through technology, we manage to circumvent all of the unnecessarry requirements for a match. When one person shows interest, we have already confirmed the object of our desire's, likes and dislikes as well as the important characteristics we are looking for. In the past, where it took months for favorable or unfavorable traits to manifest, in the Cyber World, one gains ample knowledge of the person they are dealing with before connecting.

However, with all this information at hand, it is still possible to choose the wrong person or become disappointed after many hours of skyping, emailing or texting. Many individuals are able to prolong a relationship via internet measures, but when they eventually meet face to face, sometimes the connections go awry. Perhaps it is because the thrill of mystery has been taken away or maybe because each party has received too much information too soon.

One would think that the more options we have in the Cyber World, that "bad dating" would become a maladie of the past. The Internet has given us more power to date locally, out of state, or across the ocean to another country. In the Cyber Kingdom love has no boundaries, yet we still are plagued by issues of incompatibility, fatal attractions and disappointments.

The most endearing quality about Cyber Dating is that, one is able to live a lifetime in a few seconds. It is an alternative to speed dating. An old-fashioned relationship would take about three months to evolve, where in Cyber country, one may fall in "like" by noon and then by supper time the relationship would have ran its course.

Cyber Dating is the busy person's method of weeding through the incompatible matches, with hopes of finding a soul mate. It has become a crutch for the commitment phobic to fullfill their desires without the hassle of true, meaningfull interaction. It is a clever way for us to elude ourselves into thinking that we are one step closer to finding our true loves.

Although it may seem fun and exciting to have access to thousands of people, thus increasing our chances to find a suitable mate. There are definitely drawbacks to this type of dating. The issue of safety becomes a concern, because we never truly know anyone until we have spent quality time with them. So although all our illusions and fantasies may have been met on the computer screen, how well do we know the individuals we connect with?

Many would respond to this question by saying, that the old-fashioned way of dating presented the same issues, so why prolong the agony? In Cyber Space, we are able to date the Frogs and the Witches in less time, moving forward at warped speeds and eventually gaining access to Mr. or Ms. Right.

After comparing the two methods of dating and conducting my own research, I would have to say, that the matter of love is a numbers game. It's synonymous to going to the casino and playing the slots machine. You may pull the lever and get three of the same objects, and you know within your heart, the next time you pull the lever, you are definitely going to win. The truth is, sometimes you hit the jackpot, and sometimes it is like playing a game of craps, but we still continue to play, because we have hope, and the adrenaline rush gives us a high that is uncomparable to any other feeling in the world.

How can I get a title for land in Jamaica?

Anthea McGibbon — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:30:01 UT

QUESTION:
Dear Legal Wiz,
I left Jamaica for some time now and my dad who owned our family property recently passed on. I learnt that my brother who lived with him wants to sell the property, and I have not been contacted as someone who might be entitled to something. Can I get a title? Can I also get information on whether or not my brother has legal rights to do sell the house?

Titles for land in Jamaica can be acquired by Jamaicans online. However as the site is a new-work-in-progress, it is strongly advised to have someone physically deal with it in Jamaica. This is as information is still being uploaded, and what's existing so far has been confirmed to have errors

LEGAL WIZ: Yes to all of the above. First let's discuss how you can acquire a copy of the title for the property back home in Jamaica.
Titles for land in Jamaica can be acquired by Jamaicans online. However as the site is a new-work-in-progress, it is strongly advised to have someone physically deal with it in Jamaica. This is as information is still being uploaded, and what's existing so far has been confirmed to have errors.
To acquire the copy of the title in person, one must go to the Hanover Street address and pay for a title search. Come prepared with the title number. Otherwise, aside from payment, you are required to bring along the street address including lot number, and you will be required to fill in a form.

On occasion persons do assist with the search, however for the most part it is done by the staff of the National Land Agency (Titles division) operating at that location. The process takes half an hour for search and printing of the copy of the title if all is in place.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions on legal proceedings back home can be submitted to legalwiz@jamaicans.com. Questions will then be processed by team specialists in each area, and selected answers will be placed in relevant Questions and Answers sections of participating mediahouses and sites. These include Street Hype Newspaper in New York, Yush.com (UK), The Agriculturalist, Jamaicans.com advice channel and on www.antheamcgibbon.com.
For actual legwork, follow ups and other needed legal assistant services in Jamaica not requiring the full services of an attorney you may call 876-530-5744 or 305-648-6963 or simply write to legalwiz@jamaicans.com or antheaart@yahoo.com, legalwizwork@yahoo.com to make private arrangements beyond the commitment of this mediahouse.
Physical office is at Suite # 1, 3 South Avenue, Swallowfield, Kingston 5, Jamaica West Indies
The fee range starts at a minimum of US$50.00/£32.00 for the service if beyond reasonable

Tags: jamaica land, title

Using OPT to Earn More

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:45:02 UT

One of the biggest financial challenges many persons face today is the need to earn more money to make ends meet and achieve their goals. As most people obtain their incomes by selling their time for dollars, their ability to increase their remuneration is severely limited by the number of hours in a day.

Many employees and self-employed persons neglect to pursue earning options from sources that are not wholly dependent on their physical efforts. They believe that work security lies in their own ability to complete a task and receive a payment for it. In reality, this is not a very secure way of earning, as circumstances such as pay cuts, job loss or illness can derail expected income.

One solution to this problem is to create a passive income source that pays you repeatedly without your continued personal effort. As your earning potential is not completely dependent on your time, it is easier to make more money to supplement your regular pay cheque and channel excess money to invest in long-term goals.

Passive income is vital for attaining true financial freedom. The ability to earn from additional sources can allow you to decide when and where to work, and to spend more quality time with your family or in other pursuits. The ultimate benefit of passive profits is to supply retirement income that will continue to fund your lifestyle when you choose to stop working.

Learning about leverage

Last week we looked at ways of earning residual income by focusing on creating and selling items that people will want to purchase repeatedly, or investing in assets that will supply continuous income. Today, let’s consider how to apply the concept of leverage to earn more money.

Throughout the ages, humans have progressed by using inventions to make it easier to carry out important tasks. One device that has transformed our lives is the simple machine called a lever. A lever works by placing an object on a turning point called a fulcrum, which then transforms a small work effort into a bigger force. Think of using a hammer to pry a nail out of a board, and you will understand the power of leverage.

Most of us have been taught about the value of hard work and personal diligence; and as Genesis 3:19 states: “by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food.” In today’s economy, unlike in our forefathers’ time, our individual effort will probably never be sufficient to meet our basic needs, much less to create wealth.

In the same way that it can be used to move a substantial object with little physical exertion, leverage can be applied to multiply the results from our work efforts. As one of the major deterrents to earning more is limited time, what if we could find a way to leverage other people’s time to increase our output and consequently our income?

Other People’s Time (OPT)

Leveraged income comes from working in conjunction with other people in order to improve your overall work effort and the resultant earnings. The idea is to multiply your personal input into a massive force that creates much more value than you can accomplish on your own. In fact, your employer uses leverage by hiring several persons with different capabilities to carry out all the business tasks.

Let’s use our previous example of earning extra money by mathematics tutoring. A linear income source (one which is solely dependent on personal effort) can be gained by setting up classes after work and teaching some students yourself. If you produce and market a math-training DVD, then you can earn residual income. If you hire other persons to tutor additional classes, then you will be utilising leveraged income.

Here’s another example of leveraging other people’s time. On the weekends, you can earn JMD$2,000 each time you mow a lawn in your community. However, you can only service two properties each day. You decide to buy two more lawnmowers and pay two persons JMD$1,500 for each lawn they cut, but you still charge your customers JMD$2,000. With leveraging, instead of making JMD$8,000 over two days, you now have total earnings of JMD$12,000 with the same amount of effort on your part.

Apart from hiring people to increase your work effort, you can reward persons who sell your products and services. In our math tutor example, increased sales can be made by offering commissions to persons who market both the DVDs and the classes. This strategy, called affiliate marketing, can be a more effective method of increasing revenue as against traditional advertising.

For entrepreneurs, franchising a business is the ultimate form of leveraged income. By allowing other persons to purchase the rights to use your business model and earn their own income, you can exponentially increase sales of your products and/or services.

Next week we will look at a method of creating passive earnings that combines the concepts of residual and leveraged income.

About the Author
Cherryl Hanson Simpson is a financial consultant and money coach, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. She is currently writing her first book, “The 3 Ms of Money: How to Manage, Multiply and Maintain Your Money.” Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services is Jamaica’s number one source for practical, down-to-earth and independent answers for all questions relating to personal finance. Get more smart money advice at www.financiallysmartonline.com and and www.financiallysmartadvice.com .

Proper Training and Maturity Takes The Stress Out of Driving

Margaret Juliet Bailey — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:30:01 UT

Each year, 16 year old teenagers flock to Drivers' Education classes to claim their independence by learning to drive. What many of them are not aware of, is that along with the practical part of driving, there is also a theory that has to be learned, studied and applied.

More than any other class, the young students arrive bright-eyed and bushy tail to begin their adventure on the roads. However, their enthusiasm is soon thwarted by note-taking, gruesome videos and quizzes. Most of the teenagers think that once they have passed their test for a learners' permit, that all systems are a go and it is only a matter of time before they can take to the open road.

The students who attend Driving School are often surprised by the thorough manner in which their Instructors review safety issues, rules, regulations and laws of the road. So many students become lethargic and disheartened by the obstacle courses presented to them upon sitting in the Drivers' seat. Only the committed and serious, ended up passing the class. Students eventually realize that eventhough driving provided certain conveniences and freedoms; it is a priviledge and a great reponsibility.

Before students are placed on the road he/she must have a full understanding of the road codes, signs and signals.

He/she must be alert regarding the proper procedure with regard to pulling away from a curb or a parking space.

The theory of driving must be properly understood, so that students are able to conduct themselves in all types of situations once on the road. The driving student becomes versed in hazardous conditions, inclement weather and equipment failure.

Students who attend reputable Driving Schools are often "scared straight" regarding the dangers and penalties of doing drugs, drinking alcohol and driving recklessly. The severity of violating the road codes and laws are emphasized, so that they will realize that driving is not just an adventure but a "grown-up" activity not to be taken lightly.

While under and Instructor's supervision, students are never placed on the road unless they have a keen understanding of what is expected on the road. Sometimes, despite the reading, planning and testing, once the students are on the road, it all boils down to their level of maturity.

It is my observation, that the bravest of students sometimes turn out to be the biggest whimps on the road. Many became nervous and "freeze up" in hazardous situations.

Instructors try to emphasize to the novice drivers that the road is not somewhere to hesitate. One has to make a quick, careful and decisive move when confronted with road hazards. The wrong move , could prove to be fatal. Driving Classes are usually divided into two types of drivers, The serious, tenacious drivers and the drivers who want to show-off and preen behind the steering wheel. The latter, are usually the ones, who end up drinking and driving or got caught speeding on the highways.

They do not take their driving priviledges seriously and would rather use their skills for thrill seeking.

When students are placed on the roads, it becomes a death defying experience. For an Instructor, it becomes a labour of dedication to sit still in the passenger's seat while a student drives haphazardly or takes risque' chances. It is during these times that a Teacher appreciates the control mechanisms installed in the vehicles to deter accidents or calamities.

An Instructor is trained to remain calm ,cool and collected in order to allow a certain amount of mistakes before overreacting or remediating the errors.

This is why maturity is very important to Driver Instruction Training, because the student has to be aware of the capacity of distractions that he/she can handle. Conversations with other passengers in the car, loud music or cell phone conversations, all attribute to fatal mistakes. Therefore, parents are urged to monitor their childrens' progress and determine their maturity level before allowing them to undergo such a tremendous responsibility.

Driving is no different than any other subject and when one knows the practical and the theory, with practice, he/she can excel to being a good, safe driver. Once a student has mastered the ability to drive in residential areas, hazardous situations, highway driving and parallell parking. He/she is ready to take the road test.

Students are forewarned regarding the importance of being calm on the road. It is explained that nervousness and road rage could only lead to disaster, therefore, it is prudent for them to learn the art of counting to ten when confronted with difficult or aggressive drivers.

If a driver is properly grounded and centered, no matter what road conditions arise, the driver can handle it with confidence and finesse. While in Driver Training School students learn, that although the road seems like a wide world, they have to be mindful of other motorists as well. The habit of paying attention and trying to anticipate other motorists' actions greatly minimizes traffic hazards, accidents and saves lives.

When students apply themselves accordingly, the road test becomes a rite of passage. They are more confident that the knowledge they have attained will ensure them positive results. A motto expressed by most Instructors is , "Preparation always ensures success and capability, no matter how frail we may think we are".

I have seen students who were macho and fearless become scared and ambivalent once around the steering wheel. Then there were times when the most fragile of students, surprised their Instructors by being in control and taking charge of the road. They didn't allow themselves to become intimidated by driving circumstances.

It is a good and rewarding feeling when a student commends an Instructor for being the driving force behind his/her cautious, driving skills.

Once students display consistent maturity levels, skill, knowledge and pass their road test; they are entrusted with their School's seal of approval for conquering the wide open road.

*PLEASE DO NOT TEXT OR USE CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING

Tags: Proper Training and Maturity Takes The Stress Out of Driving

Networking for Earning

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:45:01 UT

Over the past weeks, we have been examining the age-old question “How can I earn more money?” If you’re seeking an answer to this problem, but you have insufficient time to increase your income, then you may have to change your method of making money.

As discussed, most persons earn a living by pursuing linear income, and have to continually put in work time in order to get paid. Linear income puts a ceiling on your earning ability, as time is a restricted resource. Also, if you have to physically stop working for any time above your vacation or sick leave allowance, your income is negatively affected.

Looking for options, we considered residual income, where you are able to earn continually from some type of work or investment that you carried out once. For example, you can earn residual income on royalties from book or record sales. We also examined leveraged income, in which you can multiply your total income by utilising the efforts of other people. If you employ others to work in your business, then you make use of this type of income.

Although residual and leveraged income sources can help to exponentially boost your earning power, the reality is that it can be difficult to make practical use of these options. Not many people will achieve financial success by writing books or recording music; and being a profitable business owner takes time, money and knowledge, which may elude the average person.

Is there a way to earn extra income without actually creating your own products or business? What if you could make money by buying products that you like and use all the time, and then recommending them to others?

Referral revenue is real

Referring your friends to try products and services is an everyday activity; you rave about the latest movie, you suggest the tastiest dish at your favourite restaurant, you insist that your hairdresser is the best stylist in town. Although your efforts may increase sales for these businesses, you don’t usually get paid for your endorsements.

The good news is that many companies have realised that personal recommendations for their offerings is a powerful marketing tool. The immense value of regular people directly promoting products and services to their friends and colleagues has spawned a method of distribution called network marketing. This direct selling method is widely used by industries involved in wellness, household products, communications, cookware, skin care, office supplies and many more.

In other words, there are companies out there that will pay you to buy their products and refer others to do the same.

The networking model

The structure of network marketing is based on two fundamental principles. A company offers individuals the opportunity to become independent representatives or business owners to distribute its goods. This process redirects the company’s sales expenses from costly advertising campaigns and retail middle-men, and puts the money into the pockets of the end users.

This distribution model also utilises an extra incentive to boost sales, by allowing the representatives to create their own network of independent business owners. For their efforts in increasing the marketing of its goods and services, the company will reward business builders with a percentage of the revenue generated by their teams’ efforts.

Network marketing offers both the residual and leveraged income options that we have highlighted. Once you establish dedicated customers for the products that are available, you have the ability to get repeat revenue. You take advantage of leverage when you earn from the sales of your network of distributors. This opportunity also comes without the hassle of actually creating your own products or business.

Evaluating an opportunity

In Jamaica, there are several established network marketing companies such as GNLD, Herbalife and Avon, as well as many new options. Like any other business, it’s important to do the groundwork to determine if a network marketing opportunity is right for you.

Some considerations include:

- Do you like the products or services that are offered?

- Are the products consumable (used repeatedly) and in demand?

- Is your earning directly tied to sales volume?

- Does the marketing plan sound too good to be true?

- Who are the owners or principals in the business?

- Does the company provide effective training and support?

- Is there a focus on personal development for the distributors?

Some people have an erroneous impression that network marketing is a way to get rich quick. The easiest thing about this opportunity is that the products, distribution system and earning plan are already created for you. To be successful you still have to work hard; you must be willing to learn the business, create a customer base, motivate and train your team members, and develop your leadership abilities.

So, whether you are looking for some extra income or desirous of running a business full-time, network marketing could be a profitable choice!

Multiple Streams of Income

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:45:01 UT

“Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches.” - Genesis 2: 8, 10 NLT

When it comes to their finances, many people are currently experiencing severe drought conditions. The reservoirs of their bank accounts are running dangerously low, as the constant outflows of money are not being replenished by new inflows of savings. The Jamaican proverb, “Rain a fall, but de dutty tough,” aptly describes the inability of their scattered income showers to nourish their parched budgets.

Some persons whose steady earnings have regularly flowed from their work pipelines, now find their taps painfully dry. Everywhere you look, people are engaged in a desperate search for fresh income sources to meet basic requirements and to store up for the future.

While the drought analogy might be appropriate for the financial challenges that many of us are facing today, remember that money is still in abundant supply even though it might not be obvious in our pockets. Just like water, money can turn up in our lives if we know where to look for it and how to harvest it.

Over the years, we have been socialised to depend on a single source of income to satisfy our needs. We expect that in return for giving everything to our nine-to-five jobs, we will be rewarded with all the necessary perks and receive comfortable retirement plans. While this may have been the reality 30 years ago, times have changed.

We can no longer look to our employers as benevolent cash cows who can provide for our every desire. Modern-day methods of production and service delivery require that companies become more cost-conscious to remain competitive in a global marketplace. Employees must now learn how to fend for themselves to ensure that their financial goals are met.

Expand your earning sources

It is absolutely essential in this economic age for you to become focused about earning extra money. It is your responsibility to use your time efficiently and productively in order to create the necessary income to pay your bills, get out of debt, save for emergencies, and put something aside to meet your goals.

I always encourage persons to create more than one source of income. When there is only one major supply of money, then you are at risk if it dries up. In the same way that a river has small tributaries that can transport water to nourish various areas of the land, so should you have multiple outlets that will sustain your different needs.

While you may recognise that earning more is the only answer, it can be challenging to identify practical options to expand your income sources. With limitations of time, money and ability, how can you get extra money rolling in?

The first step is to calculate exactly how much more you need to earn each month. Preparing a detailed budget can help you to identify income shortfalls and thereby set a targeted amount to work towards. When you are clear about how much extra money you need to improve your finances, then you will be more motivated to succeed.

How to find earning opportunities

When looking for income-earning possibilities, consider your personal situation carefully. If you already have a job, be careful not to get involved in projects that are too time-consuming. Your part-time option must be generated without threatening your regular pay cheque, so it shouldn’t leave you too tired to carry out your normal job, or be in conflict with your terms of employment.

It’s also important to look for activities that you really like to do, as you don’t want to feel burdened with another demanding chore. Consider a hobby that you could already be doing for free, but which has value to others. You could easily convert your pastime into an income source that is financially and personally fulfilling.

You need to identify where you have access to large groups of people such as a school, church, community or even your own workplace. The idea is to be able to supply a lot of persons with the least amount of effort on your part. Look keenly for their unmet needs or glaring problems and think of how you can solve these for profit.

In our fast-paced society, people desire immediate gratification. If you can figure out how to supply existing products or services more conveniently and at cheaper prices, then you can create willing customers. Use innovation to design something unique, or be creative in the use of your existing assets. Make sure that you consider any legal restrictions or the tax implications of the income-generating options you choose.

Over the coming weeks, I will explore several methods of earning extra income to help you to find the right opportunity for you.

About the Author

Cherryl Hanson Simpson is a financial consultant and money coach, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. She is currently writing her first book, “The 3 Ms of Money: How to Manage, Multiply and Maintain Your Money.” Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services is Jamaica’s number one source for practical, down-to-earth and independent answers for all questions relating to personal finance. Get more smart money advice at www.financiallysmartonline.com and and www.financiallysmartadvice.com .

The Art of Re-invention - Hair

S. M. Williams — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:45:01 UT

It’s interesting how an inane conversation about hair can turn into a truly philosophical pondering and debate. Anyone who knows me knows that I think of hair much like an accessory. I’ll grow it, cut it, color it, streak it, wear hair pieces, wigs and whole host of things to change my image. I think I got it from my Mom who was a child of the sixties. I remember in the seventies as a small child seeing my Mom tease her hair and add pieces for bouffants. She even had a few falls and wigs. So from I was knee high to a grasshopper, hair has always been an accessory.

My natural hair color is a very dark dull brown – that does absolutely nothing to enhance my face or skin tone. So I like to liven it up a bit. I’ve had my hair dark brown with blonde highlights, brown with bronze highlights and now I have brown with bronze highlights that I sometimes dye red to get redder tones. I’ve even gone jet black and on one occasion dyed the entire thing a cross between auburn and chesnut (now THAT was HOT!). I love my hair short and so I rarely ever let it grow longer than barely grazing my shoulder (and I haven’t done that in years) … so whenever I get a craving for length, I simply add a piece or two and for a day I can satisfy that craving.

So last year I introduced a girlfriend of mine to HAIR. Well she actually always knew about hair. She’s white but has tons of friends with “ethnic” hair so she’s done her fair share of helping to bond and glue hair in – but had never indulged in hair herself. Last year she got brave and bought two wigs. WELL … a hair DIVA was born. Recently, she dragged me back to the hair store to get more wigs for herself…but this time she wanted lace wigs (since they actually have a natural looking hairline) and she wanted hair that could be curled. She walked out two wigs richer and I got me a sexy one with some long tresses. I wore it at home – hubby and son LOVED it – just call me Beyonce!

So then I’m telling another girlfriend about our hair extravaganza and that generated a conversation about her not being brave enough to ever wear a wig. She put it down to being conservative, but I don’t see it quite like that. I began to compare this with the whole notion of re-inventing one’s self.

I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention. To not be like your parents. To not be like your friends. To be yourself. To cut yourself out of stone.

HenryRollins

The reinvention of daily life means marching off the edge of our maps. Bob Black

What I learned was the quality of continual reinvention. Merrie Spaeth

I especially like Bob Black’s quote about reinvention - The reinvention of daily life means marching off the edge of our maps. He refers her to us breaking out of our comfort zone. The more afraid we are to stray from our comfort zone is the more stuck in a rut we become and the harder it becomes to reinvent ourselves and thus grow. In order for us to be in a continual state of growth, we must constantly re-invent ourselves. We must be willing to change our thoughts, opinions and our actions so that we can continue on this journey of life. I think for women, part of that re-invention is changing our hair. With my natural hair, if I’m feeling flirty or playful that my hair will be out and curly. If I’m feeling stylish, then I leave it in a straight sleek bob. If I’m feeling a little more austere and very businesslike, I’ll pull it back into a bun. If I need to be businesslike, but don’t want to be too formal .. I’ll wear the bun but attach a ponytail .. and that gives me lots of versatility – short straight ponytail, short curly ponytail, long sleep ponytail, wild and curly ponytail – the list is endless. Trust me I have a BAG FULL of HAIR.

I know that I get bored of seeing myself the same way all the time. The very first time I cut off my hair, a la Halle Berry … it was the MOST liberating experience I’d ever had. Now it’s a bitch to maintain, but it was great. I literally felt like I had a hitch in my step. And my having that feeling translated to the world around me. I noticed that I got a lot more male attention and I realized it had nothing to do with my hair cut – it had to do with the image that I was projecting. I felt free and liberated and so my attitude was more open and inviting – that translated into inviting more people to interact with me.

Whenever people get stuck in a rut – the first thing you get told is to go buy some clothes and get a haircut, and there’s a reason for this. If every day you get up and see the same person in the mirror – you really don’t ‘see’ any changes you may be making. But if you get up and know that you have changed – then sometimes giving your brain a visual cue helps to kick start even more positive changes. Remember that movie … waiting to exhale with the Angela Bassett character cut off some 10 inches of her hair? It’s all about change and re-inventing yourself. Psychologists tell us that if you are accustomed to taking the same route home everyday – then if you are looking to reinvent yourself and make changes in your life, then simply use a different route home – once again taking yourself out of your daily routine and doing things that are physical manifestations of the internal changes.

Now on the flip side, many people fear change. It’s the reason we see women walking around with long hair dragging their faces down at age 50 – when they know good and well, that they need to cut their hair to maximize their personal image. It’s the reason why some men are afraid to wear flat front pants – God forbid they’d recognize that flat fronts can be more flattering than pleated pants, especially if you are carrying some weight around your mid-section. It’s the fact that there is no need to rim your eyes with black eyeliner so that you resemble a member of KISS … subtle is actually better. It was just a year ago, that I stopped lining my top lids from corner to corner and instead did half an eye. Who knew – much more flattering – all because I’m willing to reinvent myself.

On a political note – it’s interesting that black women have been the ones who have spearheaded this hair revolution. Chris Rock just did a whole documentary on the phenomenon of black women and hair. But don’t think our lighter sisters are not indulging. White women have been wearing wigs for wears and HSN has very expensive lines of human hair (and they are all blonde) – not to mention Jessica Simpson having her own line of wigs, weaves and hair extensions. HAIR is big business. But I think black women from a soci-economic standpoint have made the greatest strides in the last 100 years. They moved from being owned to truly owing themselves and that requires constant re-invention – so when you’ve undertaken that much change – what’s a little hair?

For those who are not brave about taking the plunge into hair – then try playing dress up for a day. Host a costume party. Halloween is coming up – dress up and pretend to be someone else for a few hours. You know what is sad. We encourage our children to indulge in fantasies, play and dress up because we recognize how much it sparks their creativity and innovation. Yet as adults we stifle that quality when we actually need it much more than our children do. Why shouldn’t we pretend for a while? Who knows what might happen? What might we discover about ourselves and our lives when we walk a mile figuratively while literally wearing someone else’s shoes? It could be an eye opening experience and even more lessons for this journey we call life.

So re-invent yourselves today and every day – and don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone. In fact actively challenge yourself and do something that you fear doing … for the only thing to fear is fear itself.

On becoming a tenant in Jamaica

Anthea McGibbon — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:45:01 UT

Photo by X. Murphy

Traveling to Jamaica can be difficult, especially when you are unaware of your rights. Difficulties at times present themselves only after you've decided to stay on in the country for extended periods, of say more than two weeks. Even more challenging is the onslaught of high prices, where you do not beforehand equip yourself with knowledge. This goes for residence of any kind.

Rest assured though you can have fun, legally as you explore Jamaica's culture through living like a Jamaican - something that tours do not offer.

An easy way of understanding Jamaicans, is by visiting one of our courthouses for a day. Whatever the case especially in the Resident Magistrates Court, humour is a definite side order as even Jamaicans themselves get educated through their own court experiences.

The three most popular courthouses are in Kingston. Both the Resident Magistrate's Court (court at first instant and for small claims) and the Supreme Court (highest court) are located in downtown Kingston, while the Criminal Court is in the Half-Way-Tree area.

If allowed, you may want to indulge in spending a day with a police officer, especially a traffic cop. Definitely amusing as Jamaicans exercise their "intellect", while some officers try to earn an extra dollar on the streets through an illegal hustle. But there are good cops and it would be in your best interest to know the difference. More importantly, know your rights so that you can avoid a hustle or illegal hassle.

Either way it would suit you to know your rights - your shield against crafty Jamaicans.

AS a start visit the website of the Ministry of Justice and explore the laws of Jamaica. Be aware though that, as unique as our culture is, so too is the application of the laws.

You may find that a number of the existing laws are not being practiced or upheld as written. Even more exciting is the slant to a few of them. One such example is the relationships between landlords and tenant, mostly due to the fact that there are far more tenants than landlords. Landlords have a field day, while some delinquent tenants give them reason to. There is some serious price gouging going on, and allowed only where persons do not educate themselves on their rights, regardless of the length or nature of your stay.

My advice on this is that you get involved with the Rent Assessment Board from DAY One of your planning on living/staying in Jamaica, however temporary.

A case in Court may take years to resolve, so prevent the headache by first empowering yourself through contact with the Rent Board. Currently they have two offices. Their New Kingston office number is 501-2905.

Bear in mind that although laws are being amended it would suit you to make good preparations whether independently or with the help of a lawyer should you have a case in court.

A legal experience with lawyers is an entirely different story, but research is a MUST before securing one ESPECIALLY in Jamaica.

The Bar Association of Jamaica is a good point of contact, but they wont advise you on which lawyer to choose.

Three good lawyers are Alexander Williams (civil), Colonel Linton Gordon (criminal) and Paul Beswick. Dwane Forbes, although not an attorney-at-law works very well as a paralegal, and can assist with legal paperwork. Owning over 12 years experience as a paralegal, he currently manages the office of Lightbourne and Hamilton. All are excellent also in any cases involving large sums of money.

Judges especially at the Resident Magistrate level can be quite emotional and thus persuasive in securing consent for a number of cases thus reducing the need for trial. However a sound knowledge of the law yields great rewards, as you may find that initial consent is not the best way especially when responding to a claim by scheming Jamaicans.

You may find that more than your ability to argue, is the need to rely on your own good sense of judgment and logic.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS especially when you are in Jamaica!

All the best till my next article!

This article although exposing another side to the culture of Jamaica, provides information on your legal rights, while staying in Jamaica especially as a tenant, however temporary. The Ministry of Justice's website at http://www.moj.gov.jm, makes good reference, where you can learn about the laws of Jamaica at http://www.moj.gov.jm/law

About the Author:
Over 13 years as a journalist, Anthea is a trained paralegal, and artist. She combines her skills including teaching, spanish, photography, editing, and experiences to feature arts, creativity to offer consultations, and other services. She owns antheamcgibbon.com, media website on arts, creativity, culture, and her paintings are available online and at Gallart.com. Contact her at 876-530-5744 or 305-648-6963 or anthea.mcgibbon@jamaicans.com, anthea@antheamcgibbon.com.

Making Money From Your Backyard

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:45:00 UT

Many persons find it challenging to think of practical ideas to earn extra income. The key to making more money is first to identify where people have unmet needs or pressing problems that you can solve for profit. When you are trying to create a part-time source of income, you should always stick to options that fit in with your natural talents or the resources that you already have on hand.

Using these basic principles, it should not be difficult to find several opportunities to become more productive in your spare time. Today, let’s look at how you can use your backyard, whether big or small, and a little elbow grease to work your way into extra cash.

Producing Seedlings

The Ministry of Agriculture is currently encouraging persons to focus on backyard gardening, so it’s an opportune time to piggyback on this campaign. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, it is relatively simple to produce seedlings for basic crops such as lettuce, cabbage, string beans and tomatoes for supply to your friends and colleagues. The advantage to growing seedlings is that you can harvest a large crop in a relatively small space.

Growing Organic Vegetables

While some people will gravitate towards growing what they eat, even more will be happy to buy fresh produce directly from you. You can create a steady income by cultivating vegetables and seasoning produce in a small area of your garden. If you produce crops without using pesticides and chemical fertilisers, then you can tap in on the increasing demand for organic food items.

Preparing Container Gardens

There are many people who would like to grow their own food items but lack the necessary backyard space to do so. Here’s a perfect solution - you can prepare and sell ready-made vegetable gardens in containers such as large pots or recycled five-gallon paint buckets. After reaping the produce, your customers can return the containers and purchase a fresh supply.

Planting Herbs

There is tremendous demand for natural remedies for chronic illnesses, and the market for herbs and spices offers great possibilities. Check around at health food stores to see which types of products are best sellers and then do a little research on how to cultivate and package them. With care and effort, you may even develop an export-quality product that can earn foreign exchange.

Cultivating Grass

A unique option for persons who don’t mind getting their hands dirty to earn any honest living is grass cultivation. The popularity of home and garden television shows has spurred many homeowners to become more focused on creating the right curb appeal for their properties. With minimal space and a little technical know-how, you can cultivate grass sod for lawns and supply landscaping companies or homeowners directly.

Raising Exotic Plants

The market for ornamental flowers will always be an option for income generation, even in challenging times. If you have a knack for growing plants, why not convert your talent into money? Turn your backyard into a greenhouse and raise exotic flowers such as orchids or anthuriums for gifts. You can also cultivate attractive plants for rental or sale to offices or for decorating events.

Making Potting Soil

If you’re totally hopeless in the garden and everything you touch turns brown, there’s still hope to earn cash from your backyard. You can create a compost heap with vegetable peelings and other discarded foods to produce enriched soil for other backyard gardeners. Search online for simple techniques and inexpensive machines that can turn decaying leaves into organic potting soil.

Raising Bees

Plant cultivation is not the only option for backyard enthusiasts. If you are located in a more rural setting, then beekeeping might be a viable alternative. Jamaica’s climate is ideally suited to raise bees, and you can take advantage of the huge worldwide demand for products such as honey, bee pollen and beeswax. Due to the stringent controls on beekeeping you have to be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture to legally maintain an apiary in Jamaica.

Rearing Chicken/Rabbits

If the thought of getting stung by bees is a major fear, then you can consider rearing animals on a small scale for consumption. With some technical assistance and a little investment capital, you could create income from raising organic chickens to supply consumers’ desire for hormone-free poultry, or capitalise on the growing appetite for rabbit meat in Jamaica.

There are several departments in the Ministry of Agriculture that can provide all the guidance and support to help you be successful in your backyard gardening efforts, so take advantage of this assistance. Next week, we’ll continue our focus on other practical ways to earn part-time income.

About the Author

Surviving A Night On The Town

Margaret Bailey — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:45:01 UT

In a cosmopolitan city such as New York, there is so much to experience and explore, and there is never a shortage of watering holes.

These exotic night clubs and bars prompt teenagers to hurry their ages, for the chance to be legal, just so they can participate in friendly drinking rituals.

After a hard day's work many adults feel the need to kick back and relax with a nice, cool brew, however, people rarely think of the dangers that can happen on a simple night out.

If the Bartenders or Club Owners do not keep a watchful eye on their patrons who overindulge, they are most likely to send someone out into the night to catch an early death. Which is a plight that no one wants to experience or be associated with.

How can individuals stay safe from a night out without being preyed upon by people, who seem to have their best interest at heart, but, are really wolves in sheeps' clothing?

During a night out on the town, one has to be careful and alert when ordering drinks. The person sitting beside you at the Bar might be a predator just waiting for the opportunity to slip a "mickey" in your drink. If the beverage you are consuming is dark in color, you may not notice that the drink was tampered with.

While having a good time many drinkers tend to leave their beverages unattended to dance or perhaps to go to the ladies'/ mens' room. While absent, it is posssible that someone could spike the drink with barbiturates or foreign substances that could alter your judgement or make you feel incapacitated.

There are ways to avoid being taken for a ride. For women who are out on the town unescorted and don't want to be taken advantage of, it is prudent to carry a glass ring that has a distinctive symbol on it, therefore you can mark your drink. A stranger would be less likely to switch your glass or tamper with it.

If for any reason a man/woman has to leave their drink unattended, it is best to forget about that drink and purchase a new beverage. Leaving a drink unattended gives anyone the opportunity to add substances that are guaranteed to impair your mode of thinking.

In this millenium, Bars and Nightclubs have become the venues where Predators choose to experiment with date rape drugs and other illegal products in order to persuade and lure their victims to places unknown. Many perpetrators have been successful and have left a trail of missing persons along the way.

One cannot rely solely on the protection of video cameras and bouncers to dissuade patrons with ill-intentions. It is always best to maintain a safe drinking limit and sound judgement.

Although it may seem like a great feat to get an admirer to buy a drink, it is best to hold off on the drink until you know the person better. As they say, "There are no free lunches", and he/she may have diabolic intentions. Going the independent route is much safer, and relinquishes you from feeling obligated to anyone.

Sometimes, just casually leaving your money on the table deters unsavory characters from approaching. If they sense you are desperate to have your thirst quenched, the vultures will surely pounce.

Finally, to avoid any confusion, and to remain healthy, it is smarter to bring your own beverage in a dainty flask or abstain from alcohol altogether. These alternatives will ensure that you are drinking a beverage of your choice and that you will make it home without any incidences.

About the Author

Margaret Bailey is a regular contributing writer at Jamaicans.com and Founder of Brun Bailey Models, a Non-Profit Agency that provides information and contacts for Models.

Is it Practical To Plan For Retirement?

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:45:01 UT

As it becomes increasingly difficult for many companies to finance workplace pension plans, and more persons join the ranks of the self-employed, the number of Jamaicans who are currently investing towards their retirement years is woefully inadequate.

Studies indicate that private pension arrangements are now covering some 60,000 persons of the approximately 1.3 million people in the labour workforce in Jamaica. This means that only about one out of every 22 persons contributes to a savings plan that will help to replace their income when they can no longer earn a living or choose to stop working. This is a startling statistic, as it indicates that many persons may not have considered the necessity of planning to create an income for their later years.

Calculating The Cost of Retiring

Imagine that you are now 65 years old, and desperately desire to quit the rat race of the working world. In your youth, you had only focused on funding your immediate needs, and had never consciously thought about where money would come from when you were too tired to keep working.

You had hoped that your children would take care of you when the time came, but now they are struggling to make their own ends meet, and can offer you very little assistance. You have no choice but to continue working, despite your aches and pains and nature’s actions in trying to slow you down.

You don’t want this scenario to be your real life story; so let’s look at what it would take to create a nest egg, which would allow you to live comfortably in your retirement years.

Let’s say that you are now 40 years old and wish to stop working at age 60. If you were already retired today, you would require a monthly income of $50,000JMD to take care of your needs. Assuming an average inflation rate of ten per cent per annum, which is the percentage by which prices will go up every year, your income need upon retirement would actually be over $330,000JMD per month and would continue to increase every year in line with inflation.

How much money would you need to amass in the next 20 years, in order to generate this income stream over 25 years of retirement? To make this plan work, you would need to create a lump sum of over JMD$126 million upon retirement, which should earn a net return of eight per cent every year. While this amount of money may seem exorbitant, it’s often difficult for people to imagine what things are going to cost after being conditioned by years of inflation.

So, how much would you need to put aside every month to achieve this goal? If your investment plan gives you an average net return of 10 per cent every year, you would need to save just under $80,000JMD per month and increase your annual contributions by ten per cent to stay ahead of inflation. Now for most people, the possibility of putting aside $80,000JMD per month towards a retirement plan would be next to nil. However, when persons get depressed about their savings requirements, I tell them it’s better to save what you can than save nothing at all.

Getting Started With A Retirement Plan

Here are some considerations that can help you to get started with a plan for your future needs:

- Do you have any savings that could be used to start a dedicated retirement plan?

- How much money can you comfortably put aside every month without having to withdraw from it?

- At what age is it practical for you to stop working for an income?

- How much money will you need to withdraw monthly once you are retired?

- Will you receive a workplace pension that will contribute to meeting your needs?

Using the previous example, let’s say that all you can save right now for your retirement is $10,000JMD per month, and you decide that it’s more realistic for you to aim for retiring at age 65. What kind of nest egg could you create with these parameters? If you increase your contributions every year by ten per cent, then you would create a retirement fund valued at over JMD$32 million.

While this figure may sound impressive, in today’s dollars it would only be worth about JMD$3 million, and would generate the equivalent income of about $11,000JMD for 20 years. Your retirement nest egg would therefore form only a part of your plan towards replacing your income in your senior years. Other options to generate money could include renting out a part of your home, or starting a business that would help to pay residual income.

Next week we will continue our discussion on retirement planning by examining the new developments in the pension industry, and how they can benefit you.

About the Author

How to Work Less and Earn More

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:45:01 UT

With some amount of trepidation, you decide that you’re finally going to get a grip on your budget. Armed with months of bills and receipts, you painstakingly recreate an outline of your spending plan for the year. After adding up all your expenses, you’re shocked to see that the total monthly income needed to finance your lifestyle is way in excess of your current earnings.

“That explains why I’m so dependent on my credit cards every month,” you mutter to yourself. “I’ve got to reduce these expenses if I’m ever going to get out of debt.”

Determined to cut back all unnecessary costs from your overblown budget, you examine each expense category for items that you can do without. Unfortunately, your search reveals that you already exist on the basics - any reduction will only lead to deprivation for you and your family.

Frustrated by your budget-trimming attempts, you decide to take a hard look at the income side. “My salary is just not enough,” you admit. “What I need is a way to make some more money.”

As you rack your brain for ideas to fill the earnings gap, you realise that every option you think of requires a lot of time to be accomplished. You work nine to ten hours on the job, your commute takes up another two hours, and the children’s activities consume the rest of your day. How on earth are you going to find the time to make more money?

Working by time limits your income

The need to earn extra income is a common concern for most people. Whether you require additional income to balance your budget, reduce your debt, save for goals, invest for retirement, or live a more relaxed lifestyle, the challenge is usually the same - how can you work more when you’re already so busy?

One solution to this problem is to try to earn a higher rate from the hours you are already working. However, in today’s tight economy it’s practically impossible for most employees to get a pay raise, much less switch jobs to receive a better income. Many self-employed people also struggle to increase revenue, for although they can theoretically work harder and earn more, they are bound by time constraints and their physical limitations.

The underlying issue that all employees and many self-employed persons face is that they earn income by trading their time for dollars. So the effort they put out for a day earns money only once; to make more money they have to repeat the work activity. If they reduce or stop working, then the income is negatively affected. This form of earning is called linear income.

Earning repeat income is possible

The only way to sustainably earn more in the 24 hours available in a day is to create an income stream that is not dependent on your personal, direct efforts to produce money. Money that you earn without physically working for it is called passive income. Creating a passive earning source will usually require a lot of hard work initially, but the satisfying end result will be a system that continues to earn while you sleep.

One way to earn money passively is to create a residual income source. Residual income simply means that once you have worked on a project, it continues to pay you over and over again. To generate this type of money, you have to create some item that people will want to purchase repeatedly, or invest in an asset that will continually supply an income.

Here’s the difference between creating linear income where you physically work to get paid and focusing on residual income. Let’s say you have a talent for teaching mathematics and wanted to earn income part-time. You could choose to set up tutoring sessions after work and earn an hourly rate, or you could create several training CDs or DVDs and sell them through stores and schools.

In the first scenario, your initial effort will reap quick rewards as your students pay you immediately. However, it is difficult to increase your income this way, as you can only physically teach a limited number of people. In the second option, you may work for a long time creating the material without seeing any returns, but once the project is completed you could reap lifetime earnings.

Other examples of linear income versus residual income are: a musician who gets paid for doing live shows and one who produces an album that can be sold repeatedly; an artist who designs one painting for sale and one who uses a piece of artwork to make hundreds of T-shirts or postcards; a doctor who treats chronically ill patients every day or one who creates and markets a natural remedy to relieve their symptoms.

If you are looking for a means to earn extra income, try to use your talents to create an asset that can pay you repeatedly. Next week we will continue to look at other ways to generate passive income.

About the Author

How to succeed at any goal

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:45:01 UT

Are you having difficulty achieving your financial goals? Do you desperately want to buy a house of your own, spend a nice vacation in an all-inclusive, or earn enough to stop living off credit cards? Are life’s challenges intervening to make your desires seem like impossible fantasies?

Sometimes our goals are elusive because we’re not taking all the steps needed to attain them. Get back on track to achieving your objectives by following this four-step system:

The Dream Process

“We’ve got to have a dream if we are going to make a dream come true.” - Denis Waitley

The first step in improving your current financial picture is to envision yourself in a better situation. To start the dream process, become child-like in your thoughts and dream big. Visualise yourself living out your dream - see what’s around you, hear the sounds and smell the scents, taste and feel the experience.

Get to the root of your dream and ask yourself what emotional need it satisfies for you. Your desire for your own home might really be a need for security; a new car might bring the self-confidence you crave. Then use that strong need to bolster your determination that the dream must one day come true. Use visual reminders to help you continuing focusing on your dream.

The Goal Setting Process

“Goals are dreams we convert to plans and take action to fulfill.” - Zig Ziglar

Dreams can be a powerful impetus to success, but often we stifle our desires by leaving them in a vague wish state. To convert a dream into a goal, you have to express it in a way that your mind will believe it’s possible, and your body will be compelled to act upon it.

To set excellent goals, ensure that they follow these S.M.A.R.T. criteria:

S - Specific: What exactly do you want to accomplish? Be detailed in your description, so that others can understand your goals too. So instead of saying “I want to own my own home,” declare “I want to buy a J$5m, two-bedroom house in St Catherine.”

M - Measurable: If the goal is very vague, how will you know what it will take to achieve it, and how can you tell if you’ve reached it? Many people say, “I want to have lots of money.” Express this as a goal, “I would like to have J$1million in my bank account in five years.”

A - Achievable: Give yourself challenging objectives, but don’t de-motivate yourself by setting the bar too high, too soon. So while “I want to double my salary in two months,” might be unrealistic, “I will learn two new skills to upgrade myself so that I can get a pay increase next year,” will be doable.

R - Relevant: Sometimes people find goals hard to achieve because they really aren’t passionate about them, or they’re trying fulfill the wishes of family and friends. So instead of thinking “I want a nice job,” focus on what’s important to you; “I want to create a business that teaches people how to be financially successful.”

T - Time based: If you don’t put a desired completion date to your goal, then you’ll always be procrastinating about getting it done. Deadlines create urgency, so fast-track from, “I want to get a degree one day,” by stating “I am going to start UWI in September 2009.”

The Planning Process

“Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.”- Tom Landry

Now that you have your goals clarified and written down, how are you going to achieve them? To create a workable plan, it’s best to get the help of an expert financial advisor. There are several financial institutions that can help you prioritise your various objectives, calculate the amount of money required for future goals, and design a savings and investment strategy that works for you.

If your goal is to get a college degree, your action plan might be, “Save J$10,000 monthly in a money-market account for eighteen months towards the first year tuition, then apply for a student loan to make up the difference for the next three years.”

The Action Process

“If what you are doing is not moving you towards your goals, then it’s moving you away from your goals” - Brian Tracy

Dreaming big and making plans won’t get you to the goal line if you don’t act immediately, enthusiastically and consistently. Commit at once to do something to further your goal. Call a realtor or test drive your dream car - take some small step to let your brain know you are serious.

Continue onwards despite fear, setbacks, tiredness, obstacles and negativity. Be realistic about how long it will take, get support and celebrate minor successes along the way. You have to be flexible and realize that there may be more than one way to achieve your goals, and that disappointments can sometimes bring a better outcome than you dreamed. Keep going!

“Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.” - Paul J. Meyer

About the Author

Coping With Your Parents’ Financial Problems

Cherryl Hanson Simpson — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:45:01 UT

Steven* was casually reviewing the newspaper’s real estate section when he noticed a familiar address among a long list of properties up for auction. Thinking that there was a mistake in the advertisement, he quickly called his mother to tell her that they had used her house number in error. It took Steven a while to realise that his 65-year-old mother had not responded to his amusing story.

Within a few minutes, Steven’s mother was sobbing over the phone. She haltingly admitted that she had taken out a loan against her house to get money to place in an alternative investment scheme. When the money-making operation collapsed in 2008, she was forced to deplete her retirement accounts to meet the mortgage payments, which were now four months overdue.

Thirty-two-year-old Jacinth* received a similar surprise. She returned to Jamaica after a seven-year stint overseas and recognised that her father was having challenges meeting all his monthly bills. She offered to help him take care of the utilities and groceries, but soon he began to request large sums to cover various debts. She then discovered that for many years he had made bad business deals and owed money for unpaid invoices, loans and taxes.

Both Steven and Jacinth are now faced with the harsh reality of fixing their parents’ money problems. Steven is particularly bitter about his mother’s calamity, as he explains that she was reasonably well off and was just being greedy in risking her house for more money. Jacinth is having a difficult time meeting the unexpected costs of clearing up her father’s financial fiascos.

When Parents Have Money Secrets
It can be hard for parents to admit to their adult children that they are facing money problems. They may be mentally stuck in the past when the family finances were never discussed in front of the children. They may also have a sense of shame that they have lost control of their economic freedom and are now dependent on their children.
Although broaching the issue of money may be challenging, it is important for adult children to know the truth about their parents’ finances. Secretive money transactions can have a serious impact on your parents’ financial future and well-being.

Albert* became worried when he noticed large unexplained withdrawals from his father’s bank account, which he jointly owned. His father was evasive about the use of the money when Albert confronted him, and refused to explain his actions. Upon deeper investigation, Albert found out that his father had been giving huge sums to his live-in housekeeper, at a rate that could wipe out his nest egg long before time.

It’s also important for you to be aware of how your parents’ needs might affect your monthly spending. If you have only planned to deal with your immediate bills, then being forced to unexpectedly take care of another person can throw your budget completely off.

Maria* knows the financial costs of unplanned parent care. Her mother moved in with her shortly after she retired, as her pension couldn’t cover the rent, utilities and food. Already reeling from the rising cost of living, Maria’s credit card bills are now mounting and she recently had to discontinue her monthly savings plan. She hopes that her mother will keep physically well, as she has no idea how she would cope with the medical costs of a chronic illness.

Finding Out The Financial Facts
Under Jamaican law, adult children are legally obligated to maintain their parents if they are not able to take care of themselves. As many older persons might not admit when they are not coping financially, it’s important to be proactive in unearthing the truth. Here are some steps you can take to start a money conversation with your parents:

Visit your parents’ home and look around for bills or financial statements that may be lying around. Look out for past-due notices or unpaid portions, and ask questions if you see a trend.
Share with them a story of a ‘friend’ whose parent has financial challenges, or find articles relating to this topic. Tell them that you are available to talk if they ever have any difficulties with money.
If it’s hard to speak to your parents, write them a letter to explain that you know that the economic situation is challenging, and that you want to ensure that they will be able to manage.
If they are involved with a social group for seniors, arrange for a financial presentation to be done on money management or estate planning.

Despite your best efforts, you might still be unable to get financial information from your parents. If you’re worried that you may have to eventually care for your parents, start now to practise smart money habits that can help to make your responsibility easier in the future.
* names changed on request

About the Author