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User Questions
Legal Advisor Questions
User FAQ Section
What can I do on the LawFiles.net BBS website?
The BBS helps non-attorneys begin to find answers to legal questions.
One way that the LawFiles.net BBS website helps non-attorneys begin to find answers is by allowing users to search and browse the LawFiles.net BBS database for prior questions and answers. Users can do so by clicking on the "Search Q&A Database" link or the "Browse Q&A by Category" link in the left sidebar. These options allow users to look up past questions submitted by other users by state, type of question and keywords. The database of questions and answers grows every day as questions from people like you are posted and answered by the network of attorneys. Something that may not be in the database today, could perhaps be there tomorrow.
Another way that the LawFiles.net BBS website helps non-attorneys begin to find answers is by allowing users to submit their legal questions to us and have them posted to the LawFiles.net BBS, so that the attorneys in our network may attempt to answer them. To submit a question just click on the "Ask A Question" link and complete the required form. Please note that despite our efforts, unfortunately not all questions can be answered this way since there are not always attorneys available who serve clients in a particular state or in a particular legal area.
The LawFiles.net BBS website also helps non-attorneys begin to find answers by allowing users to search our database for a legal advisor. This legal advisor search function allows users to find attorneys in particular geographic locations by the type of attorney (e.g., civil lawyer or criminal lawyer) and who have particular specialties (e.g., estate planning, tax, business, employee benefits, family law, DWI/DUI law, etc.). Users can narrow their search using keywords. Moreover, users can review the past replies by individual attorneys. This may help users evaluate and decide whether they want to follow up with individual attorneys further.
The LawFiles.net BBS website also helps non-attorneys begin to find answers by listing legal resources (such as law firms, legal directories, etc.) that our users might find helpful. These resources are listed by legal category on our "Legal Resources" page.
One other way that the LawFiles.net BBS website helps non-attorneys begin to find answers is by maintaining a legal blog. The LawFiles.net blog is authored by various attorneys and, for the most part, the blog covers basic legal issues.
How do I search the previous questions?
To search for prior questions and answers, go to the "Search Q&A Database" page. From there you can search our entire database of past legal questions and answers. Just enter the search criteria in the search box and press "search."
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To search using KEYWORDS, enter a list of words separate by SPACES (no punctuation). The search engine will look for records containing ALL keywords.
For example, if you enter the keywords "florida retirement", the search engine could return a record containing the sentence:
"Are there special issues that should be considered when someone in retirement wants to move to Florida?"
You can restrict the search by legal category, state, and more.
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How do I post a question?
Posting a question simply means that you are sending us a question, which may be posted on the LawFiles.net BBS. To post a question, simply go to the "Ask A Question" page. You will be taken to a question form that you will need to fill out. Please read all the instructions on the question form before submitting your question. Please note that we may be unable to properly handle your question if you do not fill out all of the required information on the question form.
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What happens when I post a legal question?
Questions will be automatically forwarded to various attorneys who have signed up to reply to questions in the legal category and geographic location selected by the user. The LawFiles.net administrative staff then review the questions (to eliminate redundant or offensive questions) and they either reject the question or notify the appropriate attorneys of the question. Questions that do not recive any replies within a certain time period will be deleted.
Users will be notified by automated email indicating that their question was received. This automated email will include a copy of the question that the user submitted.
We try our best to ensure users privacy. Users PERSONAL INFORMATION such as name, address, email address, phone, etc., are concealed from ALL OTHER USERS and PARTICIPATING ADVISORS -- unless users include this information in the body of the questions they submit. We will try to ensure that only the BBS administrators have access to your personal information. However, we are not responsible for any information any user may include in the body of their question or any other information users submit to the LawFiles.net BBS website.
When an advisor posts a reply to a users question, the user will be sent an automated email indicating that a reply was received. This email will include a copy of the question asked, a copy of the reply, and a link for users to opt not to receive future replies to thier question. Users may return to the LawFiles.net BBS to find out more about any reply, such as information about the legal advisor that answered the question. No attorney or other person, except those administering the BBS, will be able to contact users less the user opted to contact the attorneys outside of the BBS or the user includes their contact information in the body of their question.
Please note that despite our efforts, unfortunately not all questions can be answered this way since there are not always attorneys available who practice in a particular state or legal area. Also remember that no information found at this site, in the database or in the responses from attorneys on the BBS can replace a live in person meeting or telephone consultation with a "real live" legal advisor about your particular case, problem, or question. The information you find here or in the answers should just be a starting point in finding your answers. No response or communication connected with this site should be construed as legal, tax, or investment advice nor can any such communication be used to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties thereon. You should be aware that any investment will by definition fluctuate in value and its value may decline.
Please remember that no advisor-client or attorney-client relationship is established (i.e. those who respond to your questions by using this BBS will not be your or anyone's advisor or attorney) until you have met with that person outside of the BBS and they have reviewed the situation, decided to accept the case and entered into a written representation/retainer agreement with the you or a third party. Basically, the responding advisors will not be representing anyone just because this information has been transmitted to us or them or even because we or they may have given you an answer to a question.
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Why is the website called a BBS?
The LawFiles.net BBS is called a BBS because that is what it is. A Bulletin Board System consists of a forum for people to post questions, answers and comments about particular subjects. That is exactly what the LawFiles.net BBS website is -- for the most part.
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Is the LawFiles.net BBS safe?
Due to the nature of the Internet, you must understand that by giving us permission to post your question on the BBS website, you may risk losing some of your confidentiality. As such, we ask that you please not post any personal information in the body of your questions or any information that may otherwise disclose your identity.
We like to think of this website as not too different than calling a legal question and answer show on the radio or submitting a question to a legal columnist in a newspaper. You are letting a lot of people know about your question, so that you can obtain an answer. Some people may recognize you and may find out about your question... but in return you may get an answer. One of the main obvious differences is that with the BBS there is a more "permanent" record of your question, except that no one (but the BBS administrators) will know your name (unless you provide your name in the body of your question). Please think about it carefully before submitting a question.
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Does it cost anything to participate in the LawFiles.net BBS?
It does not cost anything to ask a question or get an answer. The LawFiles.net BBS is offered as a public service. We hope that the advertising revenues will help defray the costs of operating the site.
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When will I receive a reply to my legal question?
That all depends. Some users may receive a couple of replies within a few hours from posting their question, others may receive one reply after several days and a few users may never receive an answer to their question.
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Why did I not receive a reply to my legal question?
Please note that despite our efforts, unfortunately not all questions can be answered since there are not always attorneys available who serve clients in a particular state or work in a particular legal area. There may be many attorneys in the "network," but there are also fifty states, a couple of territories and possessions and dozens of areas practice, so it won't always be possible to cover all states in all practice areas. However, the "network" grows all the time and if there is not a particular advisor in the network today, there may be one soon.
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Where else can I look for legal answers?
Although we try our best to answer many questions, there are many other legal resources available on the Internet. Many of these resources can be found on our other pages. Our legal Links & Resources page has links to several such resources organized by subject matter. On those pages you can find links to various other resources. Our LawFiles.net Blog is another resource that provides Internet users with legal information.
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What kind of legal questions can I post?
Generally, you can post any question that deals with any of the legal categories available on the question form. However, there are certain types of questions that typically aren't answered. Below you will also find a list of the types of questions that generally we will not allow to be posted on the BBS and which, if posted, do not get answered.
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What kind of questions generally get rejected?
If you send us any of the following types of questions, their is a high probability that they will not be accepted and/or will not be answered:
- Tell me everything I need to know about...
- Where can I look up...
- Should I invest in/sell...
- My brother is missing, where can I find him...
- Can you recommend any sites that deal with...
- Questions that are vague
- Questions written in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
- Questions that contain names of people or YOUR NAME
- "I have an assignment due for school and I was wondering..."
- Any question that for any reason we deem inappropriate
- Any question posted more than once in 90 days
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Does my legal question stay on the LawFiles.net BBS website forever?
This also depends. If your question is not answered by anyone within 30 to 60 days, it typically gets deleted from our system. At that time you could go back to the BBS and re-post your question again. There is a chance that new advisors who could answer your question, may have joined the "network."
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What if I do not want to receive further replies?
The replies sent to your email account will include a link at the bottom, asking you to follow that link to not receive further emails. If you cannot locate that email or link, then you can email us and we will remove your email address from our database. Be sure to include your contact information and your email address in the body of the email when sending emails to us.
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How can I report objectionable content?
You can report objectionable content by sending an email to this address. When sending these emails, remember to be as specific as possible.
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legal Advisor FAQ Section
What is the LawFiles.net attorney network?
The LawFiles.net attorney network is the group of advisors that participate in either the Public BBS or the Private BBS or both.
Our public BBS allows attorneys to receive and reply to legal questions submitted by users. Once a question is posted for the "legal category" and "location" selected by the attorney, the attorneys are sent an automated email notifying them of the new question. At that point, the attorneys can chose to reply to the question by following the link in the email or not reply to the question. Any replies will be included in our question and answer database and will be searchable by other inquiring minds.
The public side of the LawFiles.net attorney network also includes a "locate an attorney" function. Participating attorneys are able to include their contact and practice information in this database.
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Does it cost anything to join the attorney network?
No, it does not cost anything to join the attorney network.
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How do I join the "attorney network"?
To join our "attorney network" simply go to the BBS Application Page and fill out the on-line form. Your information will be transmitted to us and generally your application will be "approved" within 24 hours or so.
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What do I get for joining the "attorney network"?
You will get the ability to participate in this attorney network and be able to answer questions from prospective clients. The BBS can also serve as one other way to "do business" on the web. Today you see many services that ask you to pay an exorbitant fee to simply be listed. The LawFiles.net BBS gives advisors the opportunity to be on a very high traffic web site that attracts people with genuine questions and/or interest by having something of value to offer for free and not simply a listing of advisors who pay to be on the site.
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Are there any requirements for staying in the network?
Generally, there are no requirements for staying in the network. However, reducing idle accounts will make the LawFiles.net a more valuable resource. As such, attorneys that do not use the site for periods of time may be sent an email asking them if they would like to continue or such accounts may be deleted.
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How can I view the questions in my geographic and practice areas?
Advisors are notified by email when a new question arrives for their particular geographic and practice areas. Also, advsiors can log in to the site and select the "View My Questions" link from the bottom left menu. The "View My Questions" link will take you to a page that lists questions in your geographic and practice area that no other advisor has answered and that were submitted in the last thirty days.
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How can I view my prior replies?
Attorneys can log in to the site and select the "View My Answers" link from the bottom left menu. The "View My Questions" link will take you to a page that lists your prior replies.
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What if I can not remember my password?
You can retreive your password by clicking here. Once you enter your email address, your password will be emailed to you.
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Can I edit my responses after they are submitted to the network?
No, you cannot edit your responses. Responses are immediately emailed to the person who asked the question, so we cannot unsend those. You can send us an email and we will try to delete any response that you are not happy with; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to remove the response in as timely a fashion as you would like. Thus, you should be careful to not submit responses over the network until you are satisfied with the response.
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Can I participate and not receive emails?
Yes, you can participate without using email. In that case, you will need to go to your BBS profile and remove your email address. You will still be able to login and review and reply to questions and other replies. Nonetheless, we are more apt to delete ide accounts if there is no email address listed.
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How can I report objectionable content?
You can report objectionable content by sending an email to this address. When sending these emails, remember to be as specific as possible.
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