Need an attorney??

[DisneyTarheel]

I don't mean to belittle your degree and experience, but someone once pointed out to me that everything a lawyer "knows" (laws, statutes, codes, etc.) are all a matter of public record.

Many things are publicly available. I suspect you could order all of the texts used by a physician, engineer, mechanic, etc., too.

 

[Lynn CC]

I'm an attorney and so is my husband. I completely empathize with the attorneys here and their spouses. There aren't many professions that get as maligned as attorneys do, especially when you are bombarded by some of the more obnoxious ones on television.

I don't practice (work for a legal publishing company instead), but my husband has his own firm. He left this morning before 7:00 a.m. to meet with a client, and won't be home until after 8:00 p.m. tonight as he meets with others this evening. I'll admit that this isn't a typical day, but we seem to have enough of these sprinkled around so that I don't even raise an eyebrow anymore when it happens. You just deal with it.

And as for pro bono and gratis work; my husband's Accounts Receivable ledger has a lot of $$$ that we know he'll never see.

One big difference I see between lawyers and doctors is that (in my opinion), lawyers do a far better job of policing themselves.

Lawyers report each other to disciplinary committees at the drop of a hat. On the other hand, try to imagine the worst medical malpractice case you can think of, and then try and find another doctor to testify in court to a jury that the original doctor, did, in fact, deviate from the standard of care and commit malpractice. It is VERY difficult to do so. Likewise for getting doctors disciplined for substance abuse, sexual abuse, etc. Doctors band together more, for better or worse. (It's not my intent to put down anyone in the medical profession AT ALL; just pointing out a huge difference in how they approach things.)

Lawyers certainly aren't perfect, but their job is a necessary one in our society. Unfortunately, emotions play a big role in how they're perceived, and when you need an attorney, it usually isn't for a happy occasion.

Hi Sandy!

My son as you know just finished up his freshman year in college. He always knew he wanted to be a lawyer and started out majoring in political science. He took 3 Govt classes and found that he wasn't interested in American politics LOL. Now through taking many Asian Studies Classes has decided he wants to be an international lawyer. He's taking Japanese, and Chinese language and has most of his requirements fulfilled for his BA in Asian History. His advisor said Asian History is the major to take for Intern. Lawyers. He's so excited he's always loved the culture, read foreign books, movies etc.
Any advice you or your DH could give to him that I could pass along would be helpful.

Back to the OP...
We've paid $8500 to our lawyer in the past 3 years. Yes, it's a lot but that's what happens when you have to protect your assets, we also had to protect our land. Long process, but in the end it's worth it to have the peace of mind and know that your legally protected. I think we have one of the greatest lawyers here on the Cape, he always gets the job done, how can you put a price on that?

 

[pearlieq]

Did the attorney also search your title and certify it for the title insurance company?

Sadly, no. That was another $900 or so dollars to another company.

 

[Sandy V.]

Hi Sandy!

My son as you know just finished up his freshman year in college. He always knew he wanted to be a lawyer and started out majoring in political science. He took 3 Govt classes and found that he wasn't interested in American politics LOL. Now through taking many Asian Studies Classes has decided he wants to be an international lawyer. He's taking Japanese, and Chinese language and has most of his requirements fulfilled for his BA in Asian History. His advisor said Asian History is the major to take for Intern. Lawyers. He's so excited he's always loved the culture, read foreign books, movies etc.
Any advice you or your DH could give to him that I could pass along would be helpful.

Hi back, Miss Lynn.

I think that your son is very much on the right track. The biggest thing is to do something that he's passionate about. Makes a HUGE difference.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I wonder how many people don't realize that they have some free legal benefits through their employer? DH and I didn't know about it for the ten years he's been with the company until a co-worker mentioned it. We probably would have saved well over $2000 of the years in RE closings and wills if we had known. We redid our wills when we moved to FL, new state=new EWT laws, plus our son was no longer a minor, so we had to take off guardianship language and change the way the trust worked. The basic wills (which now includes a simple trust so no extra "paperwork") was free through his employer sponsored legal plan benefits.

That's a good point.

I'm not sure hubby's job does that or not.

But when I was in school--we had student legal services. They would help you for FREE (paid via your student fees you paid every semester). I had a phone bill that wasn't mine and hit my credit report and was still unpaid. Student legal services took care of it. They didn't pay it--they made sure the responsible party did! It was a complex where all utilties were paid by teh complex, but they had to have individual bills in residents' names...and for the two weeks after I moved out at conclusion of my lease...not only would they not let me call the phone company myself (They didn't want disruption of service)--but they waited 2 weeks to do so then ignored the bill when it came in b/c they didn't recognize me as a resident. Anyway--lawyer fixed that all up for me.

I recognize the need for lawyers. I am a bit surprised that OP thinks everyone needs one.

The only other time I consulted a lawyer was after a hit and run and since I had a pre-accident MRI...the GOOD advice they gave me (for FREE) was to get a follow up since auto insurance will cover it. They said b/c years from now if I got into another accident and actually went to court--the other side could claim that any new injury was a result of my accident years before. So now I have a "before" and "after" and proof that this accident caused no permanent damage. Had i not consulted an attorney, I wouldn't have thought of that actually. Ended up not able to use them though. The hit and run stayed a "run"--but at least the truck got impounded.

But I'm not sure WHY I should have a lawyer on a regular basis as I have nothing that needs attending to. I don't own a business, I don't enter into any contracts, I don't break the law.....

So not understanding the general validity of the complaint.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Did the attorney also search your title and certify it for the title insurance company?

You raise a good point. There are certain fees associated with real estate transactions--that you can't even escape when handling it for the most part yourself.

I don't recall what our title fees were--but we didn't use a lawyer--just went through the bank/title company--and I don't think they were all that much different.

 

[NCRedding]

Lisa: Where in my post did I say, or even imply that everyone needs an attorney????? There are plenty of times that prospective clients come to me and I tell them that is something they can handle themselves. I do think that wills need to be prepared by a competent attorney, not off the internet or taking someone else's will and "retyping it". I also think that the person on the budget board with the really old debt needs to obtain an attorney to file any answer stating her Statute of Limitations as this is a sophisticated point, not something the average person can properly plead and prove. Just read the statute that was posted there, and tell me which one is appropriate for her case.

Title Issues: Real estate transactions involve a number things. Title assurance is a blend of the closing costs including title search, and title insurance. Our state requires the use of attorneys in the title certification state. As a direct result of this, NC has the 2nd lowest title insurance premiums in the country. The total cost to the client is much less than what peariq listed as her costs. It can also be quite complex--by the time I sit down at the closing table, I've probably spent at least 3-5 hours on each closing, and will spend about another hour after the closing completing all that needs to be done. So the client may see me working for the 20 or 30 minutes of the actual closing, but that is truly the tip of the iceberg.

The vast majority of the attorneys in my area despise the ambulance chaser/back phone book cover guy. We work hard at what we do, and hate that these guys give the rest of us a bad name. I also believe that while attorneys may be responsible for a portion of the increase in health care costs, it certainly isn't the whole reason.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Lisa: Where in my post did I say, or even imply that everyone needs an attorney?????

You didn't--you directed a question to the CB for all to respond with their opinions.

I agree if someone NEEDS a lawyer--they are an idiot for not obtaining one.

But as it goes on--not everyone needs one.

Just like not everyone needs a doctor until they do.

Some people hinted that they have lawyers on retainer.

I guess I am just trying to see where you are coming from.

AS far as the budget board--had no idea that your OP was referencing that at all and I have not seen the thread you have referenced. You weren't very clear on that.

 

[NCRedding]

LLP: So why did you say: "I recognize the need for the lawyers. I am just a little surprised that OP thinks everyone needs one" ?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

LLP: So why did you say: "I recognize the need for the lawyers. I am just a little surprised that OP thinks everyone needs one" ?

B/c that is how I read interpreted your post since others responded similarly as I did...I guess I am not the only one that interpreted your post as such.

Still don't know where your rant has come from. Is it b/c of a random post on the budget board, or is this something you witness everyday? People who need legal advice, but fail to seek it?

 

[NCRedding]

Ok, I am completely confused. I post about people not using attorney, don't think it was a rant. I responded to some posts, then you type:

"don't understand why OP thinks everyone needs an attorney"

Then, I ask, "where did I say, everyone needs an attorney"

You reply: "you didn't"

 

[babiesX2]

NCRedding, I don't really know why so many people think that they can do something themselves that you went to school for many years to learn. Dh and I use attorneys when we need them. I guess it is kind of like why do people think they can sell their home without a real estate agent (just because they don't want to pay the realtor's fee).

 

[babiesX2]

I remember the budget board post about the old debt. I don't remember anyone telling that person she did or did not need an attorney. I remember you telling her that many people had the information wrong, but I didn't know you are a lawyer until this thread.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

LLP: What rant?

I've noticed something both on the boards and IRL. People want to avoid using an attorney. There are threads about "doing my own will", "writing my own contract"; "can I be sued on an old debt"; "is child truancy a felony". As an attorney, it frustrates and confuses me that people think anyone can do my job. The process of becoming a lawyer is tough. It isn't easy to get into law school. Law school is 3 years of arduous study, followed by an expansive test that has failure rates depending upon the state of 25-65%, which indicates that even after studying for three years, it isn't easy.

If you were gashed and bleeding, would you say, "I know how to sew; I'll just stitch myself". If you knock out a tooth, do you not go to a dentist? Do you buy your own insurance, or stocks? Do you do your own taxes? Do you fix your own car, or backed up toilet?

I'm just curious as to why?

If i misinterpreted, I apologize--but if you aren't praising people for their lack of choosing a lawyer, what would you call it.

It may be a gentle rant--but it is a rant--as in complaint.

You made it more than an inquiry as to why people wouldn't choose an attorney (main points being don't need one, can't afford one)--but rather pointed out all the other things they would *never* do on their own.

Honestly---I really don't know the point of your question.

And if it is about the budget board poster--could you possibly have posted a suggestion that she contact an attorney?

Why did you pose the question in the first place. It makes absolutely no sense to me. I don't know too many people who would refuse to use an attorney if they needed it. I also don't know too many who keep one on retainer unless they have real reasons too. So I have trouble understanding what the issue is.

I give up though.

 

[NCRedding]

babiesX2: There was one person who said that you didn't need an attorney to file an answer, which is true. (you just need an attorney to file a GOOD answer, LOL) That got me started thinking about the issues, and I was just curious as to why. I always suspected it was due in part to the negative publicity caused by ambulance chaser. I had always assumed in addition that it was because we deal with "words" like several posters have mentioned, words that are easily available. Part of my beliefs have been confirmed by this thread. I've also been given some good arguments to rebut some of what clients ask me when they want to see if they need an attorney.

True but gruesome story: we had a dermatologist in our town who actually killed a patient--hard to believe but true--he put him under a sunlamp for some reason (never understood why a dermatologist would even have one), and forgot to set a timer. The man suffered horrible burns, which the Dr. compounded by not seeking appropriate and rapid attention. After his death, his family had the nerve to sue for wrongful death. For years, this Dr. would write a letter almost weekly about how horrible lawyers are, for "what they did to HIM".

Everyone hates lawyers as a group; they just like "their" lawyer.

 

[babiesX2]

babiesX2: There was one person who said that you didn't need an attorney to file an answer, which is true. (you just need an attorney to file a GOOD answer, LOL)
Everyone hates lawyers as a group; they just like "their" lawyer.

I remember that now. I'm a nurse with 2 severely preemie DD's. My mom asks other nurses advice for what Dh and I should be doing for one of them (she has a feeding tube due to oral aversion). It just sets me on fire when she does this so I can understand your frustration. I don't know what my mom thinks I go to work and do on the pediatric unit.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

Sadly, no. That was another $900 or so dollars to another company.

Did they handle the funds and payoffs?

 

[MorganLeFey]

NCRedding has hit on one of my two pet peeves -- people who think they can do without a lawyer.

the other is people talking about so-called frivolous cases and forming opinions on a soundbite from the media. let's just dispense with pretrial discovery, motion practice and the rules of evidence, and base all our judgments on soundbites, OK?

 

[happybratpack]

Piping in late here, I haven't made it through the whole thread yet. *My* reasons for trying to get around using an attorney is plain and simple the money situation. For example, most of you know my adoption situation. I fought w/ an attorney the first month until quite frankly, I ran out of money. Now I'm fighting myself through the politicians, etc and I know I NEED an attorney, but I just can't afford the hourly rate. If I hadn't had the travel money for China I wouldn't have been able to afford that month I did have help. I think a lot of people are in the same boat, it's financially impossible.

Just my .02. Going back to reading...

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Little grammar points don't matter to people, until they end up in court.

Law students are about the only segment of the population getting any sort of rigorous writing training. They're not just trying to pad their bill, they're doing their job.