So Frivolous Not Even Worth Discussing

[Demosthenes]

"Unlicensed" lawyers? Do you mean unlicensed laypeople, or disbarred former lawyers?

Judging from the trust mills I've seen, the documents are usually drafted by insurance salesman.

[Demosthenes]

Drafting or executing documents which secure a legal right fall under the definition of UPL in my state. Other state definitions, of course, may vary.

A law that is very rarely enforced.

[Arthur Rubin]

Again, that varies from state to state. Our state bar has a whole section devoted to combatting UPL. Their website has a whole list of people and entities that have been hit with cease and desist orders, injunctions, etc. UPL is also a misdemeanor crime here.

So, is LegalZoom illegal in your state?

[Imalawman]

Again, that varies from state to state. Our state bar has a whole section devoted to combatting UPL. Their website has a whole list of people and entities that have been hit with cease and desist orders, injunctions, etc. UPL is also a misdemeanor crime here.

So, is LegalZoom illegal in your state?

Oh, the messes I've had to clean up because of LegalZoom....(and the tax settlement hucksters)

[Demosthenes]

Again, that varies from state to state. Our state bar has a whole section devoted to combatting UPL. Their website has a whole list of people and entities that have been hit with cease and desist orders, injunctions, etc. UPL is also a misdemeanor crime here.

So, is LegalZoom illegal in your state?

http://www.legalzoom.com/wills-state-re ... -will.html

[Arthur Rubin]

So, is LegalZoom illegal in your state?

Oh, the messes I've had to clean up because of LegalZoom....(and the tax settlement hucksters)

I don't doubt it. However, the question still stands -- is LegalZoom illegal in Lawdog's state? Not "Should LegalZoom be illegal?"

[Prof]

Hmmm, good question. Well, to begin with, here is how our legislature has chosen to define the practice of law:

O.C.G.A. 15-19-50 Practice of law defined.

The practice of law in this state is defined as:

(1) Representing litigants in court and preparing pleadings and other papers incident to any action or special proceedings in any court or other judicial body;

(2) Conveyancing;

(3) The preparation of legal instruments of all kinds whereby a legal right is secured;

(4) The rendering of opinions as to the validity or invalidity of titles to real or personal property;

(5) The giving of any legal advice; and

(6) Any action taken for others in any matter connected with the law.

LegalZoom might be running afoul of subsection (3), certainly, if not others as well. But I was under the impression that LegalZoom was started by lawyers like Robert Shapiro, so maybe if their Georgia documents are drafted by Georgia-licensed lawyers they would be ok? I notice also that LegalZoom has a "this is not legal advice" disclaimer, just like those "Do It Yourself" lawyer kits you can find in office supply stores.

But I have no idea whether the State Bar is looking at LegalZoom for UPL. Are you suggesting I report them?

Most states, including Texas, have established guidelines/requirements for LegaZoom, NOLO Press, etc., often, as is the case of Texas, after litigation with these providers.

Prof is a member of the San Antonio area UPL Committee of the State Bar of Texas.

[Evil Squirrel Overlord]

We have pretty easy probate here and I only used a lawyer ($1000) to oversee the filing of the correct paperwork I could have done myself. All other direct costs made the total about $2000. (minus disposing of real estate) I suspect had the estate been more than $3 million it would have been very complex.

I nearly killed the heirs. Not for their share of probate, but the crappy bickering over items like the weird boxes of half-assembled Teddy Ruxpins found in the basement. What were my parents doing with those?????

[Evil Squirrel Overlord]

Perfectly good keyboard ruined.

I hope the new Star Trek timeline includes Harry Mudd.

[Pottapaug1938]

[quote="Quixote"][quote="Pottapaug1938"]And another "pro se" litigant goes down in flames.

In an unrelated matter, one of the candidates in today's mayoral primary in Quincy, Mass. (and who is given a hair above zero chance to make it into the final election), filed suit against the city alleging that he was unfairly denied a promotion. The U.S. District Court, in Boston, turned down his lawsuit, stating that this was “because the stream-of-consciousness style of the allegations and because the incoherent mix of law and fact failed to comply with federal pleading requirements.”

I could say the same about so many TP/TDer pro se lawsuits.

[grixit]

Perfectly good keyboard ruined.

I hope the new Star Trek timeline includes Harry Mudd.

[Station rec room. Sulu and Chekov are fussing over a slate. Scotty enters. Chekov hurriedly moves to hide the slate.]

Scotty: Did you get that mangy peddler off the station?

Chekov: what? Um, er--

Sulu: Yes. We put him on on a slow freighter to the new mining colonies. He won't be bothering civilization for a long time!

Scotty: Good, cause there's a rumor he had some bootleg data crystals of "Andorians Gone Wild 4"-- Chekov, what's that behind your back?

Chekov: It's nothing, we were just doing some, er, calculations.

Sulu: (look of alarm)

Scotty: Calculations? Let me see! (grabs the slate)

Chekov: (look of chagrin, realizing he said the wrong thing) We didn't mean, i mean we had to be sure.

Scotty: Are you telling me that the two of you--

Sulu: And what if we did?

Scotty: Well, laddie, then you'd better not let the captain find out-- he's in this one!

Chekov: In this one?

Scotty: Aye. He was a little drunk, she was a little friendly. He was too busy wonderin if it's true what they say about those antennas. And the bloody fool forgot to check for a hidden holocorder!

Chekov: Well it doesn't matter anyway, we can't get it to display.

Scotty: Och, gentlemen, can't break a little 4 gig encryption code manually? (rapid finger movements) there you go, you depraved voyeurs!

[Cheesy music starts.]

Sulu: Mister Scott, we owe you one!

Scotty: Aye. Make it green.