In a blog post last week, I wrote about not taking business advice from professionals such as attorneys and accountants. Today, I’m here to tell you that when you find yourself in a situation that feels like you need legal advice or you just got a letter from the IRS about anything, it is definitely time to call one of those two professionals.
Too many times I see people asking their friends for advice on legal matters. I’ve even seen people solicit advice on forums from strangers about things that scream stop talking and go hire a really, really good attorney.
And, yet they keep on talking and trying to get free advice. I’m also amazed at how many non-attorneys and non-accountants are willing to give advice because they’ve been “down that path” or someone they know told them blah, blah, blah.
Don’t be a knucklehead. And, don’t try to save money by asking your auto mechanic for legal advice. Please don’t ask your friends wife who is “good at keeping books” for advice about how to set up your accounting system or answer an IRS inquiry.
Your friends and associates are there to talk with, get sloshed, cry, scream, and whatever it takes. They aren’t there to give you professional advice so don’t ask them for it.
Use the correct professional for the job and you’ll find that both your short-term problem and your long-term business and personal life will be better off.
Quote:
Most people who ask for advice from others have already resolved to act as it pleases them. ~Khalil Gibran
I’ve even seen people solicit advice on forums from strangers about things that scream stop talking and go hire a really, really good attorney.
And, yet they will go on talking and putting their entire legal case on the web. I’ve even seen people scream at other to stop talking – often it doesn’t work. They want free advice from someone who is not an attorney. Yikes!