Last spring, in a rash moment of adulthood, I decided to put my affairs in order. Will, living will, power of attorney, the whole nine yards. I realize this can be done by downloading forms off the internet for fifty bucks, but I had a couple of unorthodox things to take care of, and wanted them handled just right, so I violated one of my most cherished principles and hired a lawyer.
We met for forty-five minutes, and he offered me the whole package for $1600. (That’s right, I’m sixteen hundred dollars stupid.) As many consultation as I needed, unlimited hours until we get it right, exactly what you want, blah blah blah.
We was right about the unlimited hours; I can’t begin to tell how much time I spent correcting typos, errors of fact, and incorrect interpretations of my instructions. I finally took his boilerplate, a few lessons I’d picked up from his unsuccessful attempts, and finished it myself. Didn’t even go back to his office for he signings; found a notary and witness on my own. Sent the last check and blotted the whole unfortunate episode from my memory.
That was in May; in December, he sent me a Christmas card, soliciting for more business.
I wrote a reply, which I am willing to share with you below:
Please take me off your Christmas list,
I can’t believe you thought
That I would want to hear from you
So soon since last we talked.
You charged me sixteen hundred bucks
So I could spend my time
Correcting careless errors that
Should not have cost a dime.
I will not be referring you
To anyone I know,
I like to keep friends, so I must
Consideration show.
Your reputation’s safe with me,
Your legal skills are slick,
You meet the highest standards of
A greedy, slimy prick.
1 comment:
Ah, lawyers. If I believed in hell, I couldn't imagine it wouldn't be filled to the brim with them.
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