Legal information versus legal advice: what's the difference?
Question: What’s the difference between legal information and legal advice?
Legal information will tell you what the law is/says. Anyone with knowledge about the topic (and/or the ability to google effectively) can provide legal information. It could apply to anyone. Giving legal information does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Legal advice will tell you how the law actually applies to/impacts a given situation. It requires both knowledge of the law and the ability to analyze and apply that law to a specific set of facts. It can only apply to a particular person/situation. Legal advice can only be given by a licensed attorney and does create an attorney-client relationship.
Examples:
“If someone dies without a Will, what happens to their property?”
The answer is legal information.
“If my spouse dies without a Will, what happens to our property?”
The answer is legal advice.
“Do all Wills have to be witnessed and notarized?”
The answer is legal information.
“Can I be a witness for my mother’s Will?”
The answer is legal advice.
“What estate planning documents include protections for minor children?”
The answer is legal information.
“What estate planning documents should I have to protect my minor children?”
The answer is legal advice.