The Term "Lawyer Up"

"Lawyer up" is a term associated with hiring the services of a lawyer or attorney at the first sight of trouble.  While, this is a good strategy for people who have more money, it's not always the best case scenario.

There are a number of legal matters that you can handle yourself, such as incorporating or an asset and children free divorce.  However, bankruptcy, messy divorces, criminal cases, etc. are important, life-changing events that require the services of a good attorney to not only give you the best advice but also provide the best shot at a reduced impact on life.  Attorney services cost a lot of money, but you do get what you pay for.

If you want to avoid attorney fees, the best thing to do is stay out of trouble (Captain Obvious to the rescue!)

What's the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?

In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are used as synonyms--that is, they are used interchangeably.   However, there is a difference between the two terms.

The term attorney is really short for "attorney-at-law" who is a member of the legal profession.  An attorney is licensed and qualified to represent a client in the court of law, act on behalf of the client (if given attorney powers), and defend a case in legal proceedings.

On the other hand, a lawyer is trained in law and provides advice on legal matters.  A lawyer also conducts suits in legal proceedings and represents clients similar to that of an attorney, which is the main reason why these two terms are typically interchanged.