Unsolicited...

...but much needed advice for some of you on this forum. Spare yourself the time of constantly stating "I am not a lawyer". The nonsense that follows proves it.

Very telling that you think everyone fancies you might be an attorney. Trust me, no one is going to think you are lawyers. Quit it.

Jeb,

I actually started posting that disclosure more often once one member accused everyone on this site of practicing law without a license (mainly because we were giving our interpretations of Statutes).

One of my fellow board members became so incensed with my citations of state statutes (especially the ones he did not like) that he filed a complaint with the State Bar, alleging that I was engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. According to his Bar complaint, he had first filed a report with the county sheriff alleging that I was somehow threatening him by citing statutes.

The State Bar dismissed his complaint.

Tim surely anyone can interpret a statute without practicing law. It is called an opinion, which is what is offered here.

Tim I get it to a point...but I mostly think its ridiculous. Most people can discern fact from fiction.

If it makes you feel better to constantly state the obvious, by all means do so.

How do you take legal advice from a non-legal source? Is that even possible?

I must say it appears that some are having a hard time seeing things from another prospective and accepting criticism. My personal feeling about the disclaimer some use is while it really doesn't particularly annoy me, my take on it is when it's used it implies you ARE actually (or believe you are) giving sound legal advice and that's why you feel the need to add the disclaimer in. Now that you explain your reason for it (your past experience I understand why some of you do it). Although it is not necessary.

> Spare yourself the time of constantly stating "I am not a lawyer". The nonsense that follows proves it.

Apparently you don't know many lawyers.

Sorry Tim but because a question is of a "legal" nature does not qualify your answer as a "legal" response.

Well stated Amanda

I am not nor do I play a lawyer.

I often used this as a warning that it is not legal advice as I am not qualified to offer such. At best it is experience and reading comprehension speaking. Two traits that some posters do not have.

If it makes me feel comfortable saying it then that is all that really matters....me.....me....me....LOL

Below is what is the general disclaimer on this forum. I believe this should suffice without having to tell everyone we aren't, never have been, never want to, don't know if what I say is giving legal advice, does my opinion sound like good advice and I should go back to school to pursue....

General Legal Notice: The content of forum messages are from the posting member and have not been reviewed nor endorsed by HOATalk.com. Messages posted by HOATalk or other members are for informational purposes only, are not legal or professional advice and do not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. HOATalk is not a licensed attorney, CPA, tax advisor, financial advisor or any other licensed professional. HOATalk accepts ads from sponsors but does not verify sponsor qualifications nor endorse/guarantee any sponsor's product or service.

However, the receiver of the opinion doesn't know if I am in the legal field or not.

Per USLegal, an Legal advice, is "the assessment and application of principles of law to a particular factual situation." Hence, interpreting statutes could be considered a legal response. Keep in mind that I don't believe that any more than you do.

However, many who come to this forum with problems are hoping to find an expert opinion (trust me, I am no expert in this field). They should know better, but they are so wrapped up with the issue that they may not always be thinking clearly about the issue. Hence, when they ask if something is legal and get a response, they may take it as gospel.

Again, Ray summed it up best for the reason of disclaimers.

As for Richards' posting, most individuals don't bother to read the posting rules, must less any disclaimers.

Nope. Never as simple as a dictionary definition.

That's what I was trying to point out to Tim...he thought he would google a legal website to prove a point with a faulty interpretation. I went to the same website and provided some context. I doubt we hear back from him on this thread.

I am not a lawyer and that does not matter because in my home and my office my word is the law!

I have spoken.

This "topic" has nothing to do with our "association duties" per our forum's posting rules. Don't feed the troll : )

Like I said, I am not an attorney and I do not work within the legal profession

Tim don't take it personally. You guys give good advice most of the time.

HOA Talk's disclaimer clearly covers the bases on any advice you dispense, legal or otherwise (whether a poster actually reads it or not) and renders it unnecessary to repeatedly state the obvious. When you do, one cannot help but suppose you are grandstanding, or wishfully thinking that you are so knowledgeable as to be confused with legal counsel, and it makes one sound silly.

That is my opinion, like it or not. Keep up the good work!

Could someone explain why it's okay to label someone a "troll" (an obvious attempt to get rid of someone) for simply (and bluntly) stating their own perception of things? Many other long time posters do this or MUCH WORSE, often on this chat. Often these other "offenders" are defended, teamed up with, or someone else jumps in to "explain" what the other "really meant", and what we can learn from it. They maybe explain why that person has the right to be harsh, judgmental, condescending or rude.

I am not stating this to "pick a fight" or "defend" Jebby (as I do not know this person and clearly they are very capable of defending themselves. ) I Just feel maybe we can learn something from this unsolicited opinion. I, like Tim says am not offended by Jebby's "Style", and personally hope to see more contributions here by this person. I think it would keep things fresh. IMO more variety is needed, and people should not feel they need to turn in a resume to participate in this Chat forum. We can all learn from each other in many different ways.

ps. I realize the "topic" had nothing to do with our "association duties", however I must say have seen more than once long time posters be guilty of the same crime. I would think that it would be more preferable than hi-jacking another thread already started???

Although I don't believe Jeb is a Troll. Considering this thread was his first posting on the forum, I can understand, based on the definition, why some may consider him a Troll.

Troll from netlingo.com:

In general, to "troll" means to allure, to fish, to entice, or to bait. Internet trolls are people who fish for other people's confidence and, once found, exploit it. Trolls vary in nature; here are four types of online trolls:

Playtime Trolls: an individual plays a simple, short game. Such trolls are relatively easy to spot because their attack or provocation is fairly blatant, and the persona is fairly two-dimensional.
Tactical Trolls: This is where the troller takes the game more seriously, creates a credible persona to gain confidence of others, and provokes strife in a subtle and invidious way.
Strategic Trolls: A very serious form of game, involving the production of an overall strategy that can take months or years to develop. It can also involve a number of people acting together in order to invade a list.
Domination Trolls: This is where the trollers' strategy extends to the creation and running of apparently bona-fide mailing lists.

Troll from urban dictionary:

One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument

Troll from Wikipedia:

In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people,[1] by posting inflammatory,[2] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[3] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[4]

Troll from dictionary.com:

Digital Technology, Informal. a person who posts inflammatory or inappropriate messages or comments online for the purpose of upsetting other users and provoking a response.

ps. I also feel IMO Jebby made some valid points, many responded so IMO that proves so. Like you say many times Tim it's good if we can learn a little something from even posters that put us on the defense.

Because if they are a troll they need to be dealt with quickly.
I've seen many good forums ruined because of trolls and spam.

I think that 99.9% of the time people looking for help or question in an HOA come onto this site and will make a statement, ask a question or something, but related to HOA or entities similar to them, mobilehome park for example.

IF, the person was looking JUST for an legal opinion or advise, they would search out an attorney that thinks they know something about HOA's. How many people have come back to this site saying someone by the name of so and so gave them bad legal advise. I find it redundant that people put onto each of their posts that they are not lawyers and do not work in the legal profession.

Yeah..I'm a jerk!

I agree and I'm a jerk too!