I've been working through details of a complex property purchase with a couple who are taking a big step into a larger scale transaction than they are used to. They are both careful about paperwork and details, but the husband is particularly steadfast about reading everything put in front of him. He credits the wife's advice, but it's clear that he likes to know what he is going to sign. Over the last week he has found at least three discrepancies in the documentation of title and related documents. I don't think any of them would have changed the essence of the understanding among the parties, but it was great that he was reading carefully enough to find the problems before they became bigger.

The lessons I draw from this are simple. First, I have to slow down enough to find problems before my clients. Even minor issues are my responsibility to find. The second lesson is to never rush a client when they are reading the paperwork. Never. The hassles you save by avoiding errors are worth an extra hour or two to make sure the paperwork is clear.