Work

So, in the interest of letting you get to know me a little more, I would like to let you all know again that I am an attorney, even though in real life I don't play one. That may sound like a curious statement but it's true. I went to law school, I got my J.D., I passed the bar, and what happened I took a job that isn't an attorney position. Granted, in what I do it helps to have legal writing skills and an ability to analyze cases and things but it's not the work of an attorney.

I suppose the question that you may be asking is why did I become an attorney if I'm not going to work as an attorney. My answer is, it wasn't my intent. I wanted to work as an attorney and I still do. The problem I have encountered is a lack of attorney jobs. The legal market is saturated and firms are cutting back. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying it like I've lived it. However, just because I'm not currently practicing my attorney work doesn't mean I don't want to. In fact, I would love to pick up extra work as an attorney. What work, you ask. I think I would like to do some wills, trusts and business formation/small business work. Now, I don't want you to get me wrong, I am not inexperienced; I'm just not as experienced. I am highly capable of drafting wills, trusts and other estate planning documents. In law school those were my focus classes and I actually worked for the US Tax Court during the summer as a Judicial Law Clerk, so I know my stuff.

With that being said, I have noticed a couple of things when talking to people about wills. People always say, “I need a will.” then when you ask them what they want in a will, they have no idea. They don't know how they want their goods to be distributed; they don't know who they want to be guardian of their kids, etc. It's kind of funny, I think people like the idea of a will but have no idea what a will can do or how it operates. Oh, and people all the time say, "I can make my own will right?" Yes, that is true; just make sure you do it within the requirements of the law. Otherwise, your homemade will is no good and only fights will come from your homemade will.

I also hear a lot of people say they need a trust. Oh man, when people say this I get a little uncomfortable. The truth of the matter is very few people need trusts. With the amount of estate tax exemption, gift tax exemption and generation skipping tax exemption along with the unlimited marital exemption, very few people need trusts before they die. It's always comforting to know, that I know what other people don't. That's got to be one of the best feelings.
Anyways, those are my interest areas in law. I love the tax system and the games that can be played with it. Estate planning allows you to be so creative.

Oh, I guess the Supreme Court hears the gay marriage Prop 8 case tomorrow. I've read the briefs and I'll tell you they are very interesting. I found that the anti-prop 8 argument about how gay marriage is discrimination based on gender was a rather interesting argument. I think you should all read the briefs they are interesting. It will be fun to see how the court rules.

Well that's it for me today. Hope you've enjoyed.

 

Rolling Along

Every time I start to blog I just wind up deleting what I have written. I'm not entirely convinced that I am entertaining enough to sustain a blog but such is life. Maybe I should use more pictures but generally, that requires more effort than I want to put forth right now. So, with that being said I suppose I should write about a few things.

One, I'm tired of politics. I guess I should preface this by saying I once wanted to be a politician. In fact, I wanted to be President. It wasn't just a thought either, it was an genuine desire to one day become President of the United States. That desire has faded and I have become thoroughly disenfranchised with politics. Politicians are nothing but greedy individuals. Gasp, I know I said it. Some of you will say, not all are politicians are self absorbed good for nothings but I would beg to differ. As I listen to talk about this stupid sequester I sit dumbfounded. The first thing that comes to mind is, why would congress pass a bill that they knew would be so terrible for the economy and America? All Politicians are in agreement that this was a bad idea, so why did it pass in the first place? Why didn't you think this was a bad idea 16 months ago when you passed it? But, I know the answer, at the time it passed all the Politicians were trying to screw one another over. That's the short of what politics have become, one party trying to make the other party look bad. Politics are a silly game. So, what is the answer, I wish I knew but I don't. The only thing I know is that politics won't be fixed until, politicians stop being greedy for money and sex, and parties realize that, they alone, don't possess all the answers.

That was a good rant huh!

Anyways, I'm sure there will be more political talk in the future but for now I'll hold my tongue. However, feel free to comment. I feel like I'm better at responding to people then generating my own conversations. Maybe that's how this blog could be better, people ask questions and I answer them. I'm not sure if I could ever get enough people asking questions but that would be the ideal way. See, I like to give my opinion but I don't like to create the context for giving my opinion.

I guess I should leave a thought that provides a little insight into my life. I enjoy watching Downton Abbey and The Bachelor. In fact, they are probably my favorite shows on television. Downton is just classic television, the story is enthraling and the era is just to die for. The complexities that existed back then and the way life was just keeps me entertained for hours on end. I think Mary is the best, Edith is awful, Sybil was a pain, O'Brien is the devil, Thomas is just gay, and Carson is what every person should strive to be.

As for the Bachelor, I watch that show because it reminds me of how great my life is. The people on that show are pathetic; they all are searching for fame. However, that is what keeps the show entertaining. It is amazing to watch what people will do for a little fame and it's amazing to see what people will pay for fame. Like, for example, Tierra, who lost her sparkle for fame. That poor girl, she tried so hard not to lose it and poof it was just gone the second she said that she wasn't going to lose it. I really wish she would have kept that sparkle. How is it that the casting people of the Bachelor can always find a Tierra. I guess it's because crazy people are everywhere.

So, that will be all for now. Perhaps in the future more will come. I encourage comments, because they will help me write. However, I know that my lovely wife is the only one who reads this thing, so I hope she enjoyed it.

Starting Out

To begin, my name is Michael Scott.  For those of you who found your way to this blog thinking it was something related to NBC’s “The Office”, I am sorry to have tricked you.  While I may not be as witty, dumb, ignorant or funny as Michael from The Office, I assure you I can be entertaining.  I would first like to lay out some ground rules and some of my own beliefs.  First, don’t be offended when you read my blog, that is unless you enjoy being offended and would choose to be offended.  I say this because I am not politically correct.  I will not take the time to say he/she or person or it.  I also may use words that may seem offensive like “gay” or “retarded”.  I do not use these words to offend but these are merely words that I have grown accustomed to.  In fact, before you judge me for using these words you should know that I have a gay family member, a retarded family member and a deaf family member.  

To let you know a little of my background I come from Utah and I am a Mormon but don’t let that scare you away.  I have been married for almost six years and I am hopelessly in love with my wife.  I have a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah and I have a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.  I have worked in finance, various areas of the legal system and I am most currently working in the regulatory affairs industry for the Bulk Electric System.  I may not have lived a long time but I’m pretty sure I have more experience than old people think I have.

Finally, I hope to explain the purpose of this blog.  Really there is no purpose.  I will write about what I want to.  I may write about political things, legal things, funny things, the Bachelor, relationships, manly issues or anything else that crosses my mind.  Really, my wife always wanted me to start a blog so I did.  I don’t know if I’ll get any followers or have any success but frankly I don’t really care.  As for postings, I may post daily, weekly or monthly or maybe even twice a day if you’re lucky.  All you have to do is look at the blog to see what’s changed.  Hopefully, I will get hooked on this blogging thing and make it worth your time.

Good luck and happy reading.