Archive for August, 2008

Should You Be My Own Lawyer?

Lately I have been seeing and hearing about companies that will provide legal forms for wills, and business entities (like corporations and limited liability companies), but not legal advice. Hence the question, “Should you be your own lawyer?”

Legally any individual can represent themselves in court. In today’s impersonal fast paced world, people want to buy the thing to solve their problem. In this case a piece of paper that acknowledges that your business has paid the appropriate filing fee and the appropriate piece of paper with the State allowing you to transact business as a corporation of LLC. That is a small part of what I do for my client’s.

Yes I prepare that paperwork plus more paperwork that is needed for the type of entity that is recommended. This is where the Lawyering starts and the form filling stops. I get to know what my client’s business is about, what risks they face and what their tax position may be. Based on that information I make a recommendation on the type of entity they should form and why.

The same holds true with your will. You know who you want to get your things and the kids, but you may not know that there are alternative ways to transfer those assets that will protect your assets from liabilities your family may be subject to, including estate taxes. Additionally, when you deal with an attorney he/she can help you evaluate the best way to handle potentially problematic heirs.

In full disclosure, I have not actually seen any of the forms advertised so I am not commending on the quality of the forms or correctness of the form filling. Ultimately, it is a question of Value. Do you value professional advice, or do you just want a piece of paper?

Joseph Michael Dickerson
www.dickersonlaw.com
www.theroadmaptorich.com

Add comment August 20th, 2008

My Summer Vacation

I just got back from a week in Polebridge Montana, just 6 miles from the Canadian Border. A buddy and I went to visit a friend who has a cabin there. The people are very interesting and unique. It was great to see how people are on the Northern Border.

We made some friends, like Greg and his brother Dan from Home Ranch Bottoms, (where you can get a hot shower for $7 or just get a cold beer) our fishing guide Nate, who knows where the fish are biting, and my friend’s realtor Allan who woke us up one day (by accident) so we could get some work done before heading out on some sightseeing.

Hiking is great in Glacier National Park. Bowman Lake was our starting point and we almost got to the lookout, but we ran out of time. On the way back I took a tumble and hobbled for a few days after. Thanks to that our hiking was reduced quite a bit.

Fly fishing on the North Fork of the Flathead River is great. Being my first time fly fishing, I proved that you don’t need to know what you are doing to catch fish. We caught many fish that day. I am sure our guide Nate is the true reason for our luck.

We explored the nearby towns on the remaining days, including Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Whitefish. Unfortunately from our cabin, drive times were about two hours each way and roads were mostly unpaved. We also helped my friend make some improvements to his cabin, connecting to a new generator and installing a water heater.

All in all it was a great time, and a great escape from the real world. I am looking forward to getting away again.

Add comment August 14th, 2008

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