Wondering about wild grapes

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Wondering, what is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?

I woke up this morning wondering what the difference is between a lawyer and an attorney.  I always thought that they were the same thing, like car and automobile.  Yes, in the United States, I believe that there is no difference in the title of lawyer or attorney-at-law.  They both do the same things as far as the field of law goes.  Seems pretty simple to me, but in England, they have a lot more choices; along with attorney and lawyer, there are barristers and solicitors, etc.  I figure the best way to get through life is to try to avoid them.

They do come in handy for a lot of things.  On the top of the list is wills.  If you find an attorney to do your will, take my father-in-law's advice to make sure he is a lot younger than you are so that there is a good chance he will out live you.  You know he has to be around to execute the will.  If I ever get in trouble or get sued and need a lawyer, I think I would want Matlock:
 
Or Perry Mason:

I don't think they have ever lost a case.  Oh yes, that proves that it is all fiction.  Now, I hope you never need a lawyer and make sure you all have a great day, you hear?

10 comments:

  1. My favorite lawyer is in Black Mountain, NC, and he is a very intelligent and capable good old boy. But as for all the rest - I hope I never need one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a lot of good, intelligent people live back in the woods and up in the mountains.

      Delete
  2. Sorry DD. the legal beagle who wrote the will does not need to be around at probate if you go through probate. In fact you do not have to use a legal beagle at all for a will.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I made the mistake of using the words "has to be around". I know that a will is legal and can be carried out by the executor. My father-in-law meant that it was better to have the original lawyer around because he had more insight as to what you wanted and, I guess, he trusted his own lawyer and wanted him to be around to be the executor.

      Delete
  3. Yeah, how do you know if things will be carried out like you have said, anyway? And, who do you get to be a trustee for money? lololo. A lawyer?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heck, Trouble, let's try to spend all our money before we go to the here after.

      Delete
  4. We tried to have doctors and lawyers young enough so they'd be around longer than us. Bill's doctor died suddenly a few years ago, mine gave up her practice and went back to teaching (I think insurance was a factor)... My dentist retired early. My optician had Parkinson's and passed away. The executor of our "estate" is the same age of our kids... we're hoping he's around a long time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like it is dangerous being any professional that you use (grin). Your executor is a brave man, taking that job and knowing about what happened to all the other people who helped you.

      Delete
  5. But what's the difference between a lawyer and a parasite? A lawyer helps people solve problems, all the others are parasites.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I had friend one time who was a lawyer and he sure was a parasite!!

    ReplyDelete