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.

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

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  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.

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    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.

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  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?

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

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  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!

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    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.

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

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

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