Ask DrewDevil your legal questions

[Slow Play Ray]

Is owner's title insurance really worth the cost?

[bwana devil]

what are you thoughts on online wills created at nolo.com or similar sites? are the online ones more easily contested and problematic by nature?

btw, the "O" guy from office space is in allstate (or some other insurance company) commercials as a football fan and looks really different which you may have seen. when i finally recognized him my immediate thought was, "hey! that's DrewDevil."

[DrewDevil]

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what are you thoughts on online wills created at nolo.com or similar sites?

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Well, if you're broke, it probably doesn't matter. But if you have significant assets, they really really suck. You need a competent estate planning attorney to sit down with you and figure out what you have and what you want to do with it, and the best way to avoid estate taxes. There's no way a form can be tailored to your situation properly.

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are the online ones more easily contested and problematic by nature?

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They're more problematic in that they really, really suck. Compared to the services of a quality estate planning lawyer, they are garbage. BUT they are probably better than nothing.

[Anacardo]

Drew,

How would 'filled with the rage of the disenfranchised' hold up as a criminal defense?

Also, would you object to being referred to as Dru Down from here on out?

[DrewDevil]

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Drew,

How would 'filled with the rage of the disenfranchised' hold up as a criminal defense?

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That's not even close to the craziest defenses I've heard of.

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Also, would you object to being referred to as Dru Down from here on out?

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I'd prefer either DrewDevil or Captain Awesome.

[SlowHabit]

Double Ds,

If an undercover cop pretends to be a lawyer and someone unknowingly hire him and tell him their secrets, is the "client-lawyer privilege" still exists? I got the example from a movie but am curious for an answer. My thinking is that the undercover cop can go to jail for pretending to be a lawyer [is this true?] but he get to testify against the person as a witness.

Another question. I go eat at a restaurant. I get food poisoning which I know for sure is from the restaurant. Can I sue? On the other hand, as a restaurant owner, what can I do to protect myself from getting sued in case my foods cause people to get fat or get sick or both? I know this question sounds ridiculous but curiosity got the best of me.

Thanks again!

[DrewDevil]

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Double Ds,

If an undercover cop pretends to be a lawyer and someone unknowingly hire him and tell him their secrets, is the "client-lawyer privilege" still exists? I got the example from a movie but am curious for an answer. My thinking is that the undercover cop can go to jail for pretending to be a lawyer [is this true?] but he get to testify against the person as a witness.

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Hmm, I don't know about this. My gut instinct is that there is no privilege if there is no lawyer, but that there's a pretty good claim of entrapment that the defense could argue.

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Another question. I go eat at a restaurant. I get food poisoning which I know for sure is from the restaurant. Can I sue?

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Absolutely, but you have to prove damages (hospital bills, lots wages, etc.)

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On the other hand, as a restaurant owner, what can I do to protect myself from getting sued in case my foods cause people to get fat or get sick or both? I know this question sounds ridiculous but curiosity got the best of me.

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I hope we're not coming to the point where fatties can sue restaurants for making them fat, but I'd never rule anything out.

The truth is you can't absolutely prevent yourself from getting sued, but you can maximize your chances of winning if you are sued. Obey health codes and take precautions to ensure that your employees don't contaminate the food, etc.

[Oski]

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Double Ds,

If an undercover cop pretends to be a lawyer and someone unknowingly hire him and tell him their secrets, is the "client-lawyer privilege" still exists? I got the example from a movie but am curious for an answer. My thinking is that the undercover cop can go to jail for pretending to be a lawyer [is this true?] but he get to testify against the person as a witness.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, I don't know about this. My gut instinct is that there is no privilege if there is no lawyer, but that there's a pretty good claim of entrapment that the defense could argue.



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The privilege belongs to the "client." If that person actually believes that he is talking to his lawyer, there would be a privilege. Of course, the fake lawyer can attempt to use the information, but it would not be admissible for any purpose (unless, of course, the client gives consent to waive the privilege).

[CORed]

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I hope we're not coming to the point where fatties can sue restaurants for making them fat, but I'd never rule anything out.

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I'm sure lawsuits of this nature have already been filed against major fast food chains. I'm not sure if any have been won by the plaintiffs. I agree it's pretty screwed up.

[DrewDevil]

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Is owner's title insurance really worth the cost?

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Yes, absolutely. Also, it is standard for the seller to pay the premium, which makes it free to you, the buyer!