Consumers Beware of Unauthorized Practice of Law
In several cities throughout South Carolina (including Spartanburg), an outfit called “A Divorce Fast” is advertising legal services in the attorney listings in the Yellow Pages. Apparently, this company provides draft legal forms to the public for a fee, but it is not affiliated with any law firm and employs no lawyers. The worst part is that the Clerks of Court do not accept those documents as a valid filing, which means that consumers are being bilked out of their money with nothing to show for it.
The South Carolina Bar is supporting pending legislation (H. 3274) which would, among other things, make the unauthorized practice of law a civil cause of action. I understand that this bill is scheduled to be in front of the House full Judiciary Committee tomorrow, but that it is meeting with some resistance by the realtor and banking communities. One would hope that our legislature would take this important step to assist the Bar in helping to protect consumers in South Carolina from unscrupulous companies such as “A Divorce Fast."
The South Carolina Bar is supporting pending legislation (H. 3274) which would, among other things, make the unauthorized practice of law a civil cause of action. I understand that this bill is scheduled to be in front of the House full Judiciary Committee tomorrow, but that it is meeting with some resistance by the realtor and banking communities. One would hope that our legislature would take this important step to assist the Bar in helping to protect consumers in South Carolina from unscrupulous companies such as “A Divorce Fast."
