To many responses saying, see an attorney!

[Bandit]

Forums are inherently about getting the experience of the other members of the forum. Unless the topic is that complex and a "hey man you really need to leave this to a lawyer" is the right response, then the ole call your attorney is indeed pointless. Worse more is when an OP says they can't reach their lawyer and the lawyer won't return calls and someone still replies with call your lawyer.

but what does it hurt to say that?

you can always fire your lawyer too.

[BKParalegal]

Some newer posters love it when someone comes on here and portray themselves as either a paralegal or an attorney (I've seen both) and bombard that poster with questions thinking the advice is free and legal when it usually turns out the initial poster was a troll and/or seeking to drum up business.
.

..and sometimes there are actual paralegals on here that put talking birds to shame....

(couldn't resist )

[Bandit]

Ok, I think it goes without saying that anyone considering BK should go get 2-4 free consults from BK attorney's. However, reminding people to go see an attorney is not the purpose of this forum and I am seeing a marked increase in members responding to posts with simply, "I am not sure about the answer to your question, but you should go see an attorney".

Let's be more attentive to giving substantive responses to posts.

I cannot believe you would make a huge issue over that, when in fact, there was a rude, mean and nasty poster here a month ago who insulted at least half a dozen members repeatedly in a 24 hour period & you sat there online and did NOTHING to stop them when it took another moderater to do the dirty work & ban the guy while you acted like nothing was wrong with members being insulted as the members filed valid complaints you still did nothing. The least you could have done was tell the abuser they were out of line.

While I would agree everyone could give a more substantial reply and not just say that, If it is that big of a deal then why not add it to the code of conduct as a big NO NO!, so everyone will know that when they say "see an attorney" they are doing something bad and terrible.

[Flamingo]

..and sometimes there are actual paralegals on here that put talking birds to shame....

(couldn't resist )

The references in my posting you responded to were referring to posters on here prior to your joining and had nothing to do with you. I have been posting on here over two years and lurking for some time prior to that. One reason I know that for a fact is that I have been PM'd by several over the years offering their assistance and services and they would post on the forum as knowledgable posters all the time trying to get business.

If you have anything decent to say when you respond to any posting of mine on here, that is fine; otherwise, please send me a private message. I too am an actual paralegal but I don't hang out on Corporate or Business Law forums (my area of expertise).

[AngelinaCatHub]

[HHM]

I think you people are blowing this out of proportion. I am not saying it is inappropriate or against the rules to suggest someone see an attorney. It has been my observation over the last few months that many responses are simply amounting to, "go see an attorney" and not providing any further insight. This thread is more of a nudge or reminder to try to go the extra effort to provide some insight or share an experience that may benefit the OP. After all, most of you are here not because someone replied to your post with "go see an attorney", but rather with reasonably good answers to your questions and a sharing of experiences.

[AngelinaCatHub]

I think you people are blowing this out of proportion. I am not saying it is inappropriate or against the rules to suggest someone see an attorney. It has been my observation over the last few months that many responses are simply amounting to, "go see an attorney" and not providing any further insight. This thread is more of a nudge or reminder to try to go the extra effort to provide some insight or share an experience that may benefit the OP. After all, most of you are here not because someone replied to your post with "go see an attorney", but rather with reasonably good answers to your questions and a sharing of experiences.

[PoGirl]

Wow . . . I don't think this was meant to be controversial.

Example . . . I am a long time member of a chromosomal disorder forum. Every day a new person joins that just received the diagnosis for their child and asks for advice. (This is a very misunderstood disorder for which very little medical information is available and most doctors advise termination if diagnosed during pregnancy).

My point is, having been a member for a while, I've seen it all, heard it all, and responded to it all. It gets SO OLD some times, and it's tempting to not respond or respond with "see an endocrololist." But, I remind myself that there was a point in time where I received the diagnosis for my son and needed help - ANY help - from a parent who had been there before or from another adult with the same diagnosis.

So, I think the original spirit of the post was more of a reminder for everyone that us newbies need all the help, wisdom, support - and yes, even hugs - from those of you that have survived this.

You give us hope that we can survive this. You give us wisdom that helps us prepare for dealing with attorneys, creditors, collection agencies and trustees.

So, keep the good advice coming; tell me to see my attorney if my question is too complex; or give me some support if that's all you have to offer.

I love this forum and all the information. I learn more every day that I spend here.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Clap, Clap, Clap, for Ms. PoGirl. I believe you to be dead accurate and in all fairness to HHM, and since Mrs. reminded me, when typing an idea, you have no inflections, or body language and I am sure nothing was meant by the comment. However, when doing our best with freely given time and special effort, some and I again, am speaking only for myself, "may" have pretty thin skin as we all have had an ordeal. 'Hub

[FreshLikeADaisy]

I have to say, I see HHM's point.

If/when I say "see an atty" in response to a post, I always try to make it clear WHY I don't feel I have the necessary expertise to respond, and why they really would be best served by seeing an atty. I also try to re-read the original post thoroughly before hitting the post button, because it's far too easy for me to lose track of what the OP *actually* said, as opposed to what I gathered from skimming it and the responses. More than once, in re-reading the original post, I found myself strenuously responding to a "strawman": something the poster never said or even inferred, but I picked up along the way.

But you know, we all have different viewpoints. If someone posting really feels like, "See an atty!" is the best response, then by all means post! It can come off as uncaring and brusque when that's ALL that's said, but so can no responses at all, so in a way it's all the same, I suppose. Handling people's feelings -- especially the feelings of very stressed out people -- is ALWAYS a balancing act, so there's no one size fits all. One person may be very put off by a brief, "See an atty!" and someone else may appreciate that at least someone cared to answer.

Me, I just thoroughly appreciate the goodwill. I am all too aware that not everyone is as wordy and loquacious as myself, so I think I have a lot to learn from those who answer briefly yet effectively.

But we all should reread the posts before we post a response -- I have seen a large number of posts asking for information the OP has already clearly offered. There is one poster here -- can't remember who offhand, and it doesn't really matter so I won't look up any examples -- who follows up to just about everything with a "What state are you in?" even when the state is clearly noted in the post or available in the sig, etc. That particular approach could possibly be reconsidered... but again, there is goodwill there, even if the focus is somewhat scattered.

These are just my thoughts. I hope I have not offended anyone, for what it's worth.

[epiphany]

Well no one hired HHM for his couth! Thank goodness he has other redeeming qualities.

However, I completely see the point and I don't think anyone should take it personally.

He never said not to say that anyone should see an attorney, he just said that isn't all you should say if that's all you have to say.

He never said don't say it if it needs to be mentioned. But if that's all you have to mention, then don't mention it because by itself it's not helpful.

I often add to my posts that I am not a lawyer because I want to make certain that the OP knows the information that I give could not be right for their situation. I can't know everything about their situation or what they may be withholding. I don't believe that this is what HHM is talking about.

I don't think this is a big deal. And I happen to agree. I see no censorship here.

And Flamingo, you have never been guilty of the standard, pat, go see your lawyer. You offer up tons of information and your posts are educational, especially to newbies, so I really believe you have not understood the true intent of HHM's message. I was really surprised that you took it personally.

ep

[fltoo]

Oh my, all this poor guy did is address something that he saw as a problem. He didn't say anything about newbies or scammers.

There is a reason he is a moderator. Knowledge of the subject is secondary to understanding what keeps a forum active.

I have a dear friend who moderates a financial forum and he is always asked by knowledgeable people if they can moderate. His adamant no is based on their personalities and not being able to understand the forum business.

Just take the moderator's advice! The don't interfere unless it is absolutely necessary.

And...BkParalegal girl, I know you love to jab back, lol, but try to let the jabs roll off your back because I LIKE having you here and I don't want you to leave.

[Flamingo]

Well no one hired HHM for his couth! Thank goodness he has other redeeming qualities.

However, I completely see the point and I don't think anyone should take it personally.

He never said not to say that anyone should see an attorney, he just said that isn't all you should say if that's all you have to say.

He never said don't say it if it needs to be mentioned. But if that's all you have to mention, then don't mention it because by itself it's not helpful.

I often add to my posts that I am not a lawyer because I want to make certain that the OP knows the information that I give could not be right for their situation. I can't know everything about their situation or what they may be withholding. I don't believe that this is what HHM is talking about.

I don't think this is a big deal. And I happen to agree. I see no censorship here.

And Flamingo, you have never been guilty of the standard, pat, go see your lawyer. You offer up tons of information and your posts are educational, especially to newbies, so I really believe you have not understood the true intent of HHM's message. I was really surprised that you took it personally.

ep

Oh no - I did not take it personally as I only respond in that nature if the poster just doesn't seem to get it from anyone's response or keeps asking the same question over and over no matter what is told to them - maybe talking to someone face to face would make it more of a reality. Or if someone comes on with a 75 paragraph complex business posting. I just wanted to point out a few related items to this subject that I have seen over the years on this forum and remember a large discussion on here about such and how the best advice that could be given any poster is to see a competent attorney. I did probably see beyond its face value, though, as anyone in the business world would.

[Flamingo]

Oh my, all this poor guy did is address something that he saw as a problem. He didn't say anything about newbies or scammers.

There is a reason he is a moderator. Knowledge of the subject is secondary to understanding what keeps a forum active.

I have a dear friend who moderates a financial forum and he is always asked by knowledgeable people if they can moderate. His adamant no is based on their personalities and not being able to understand the forum business.

Just take the moderator's advice! The don't interfere unless it is absolutely necessary.

And...BkParalegal girl, I know you love to jab back, lol, but try to let the jabs roll off your back because I LIKE having you here and I don't want you to leave.

There was no jab in my posting on here that BKParalegal responded to with his/her jab to me as I explained in my response. There was no need for the response he/she submitted inasmuch as it had nothing to do with him/her unless he/she just needed the attention.