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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get annoyed by a solicitor pleading poverty?

55 replies

iloveberries · 05/08/2012 07:54

DBiL is a solicitor (graduated in 2001, did his conversion and been working ever since). DSiL is a teacher.

Whenever we see them he's always making little comments about how "it's alright for us" cause we have a "big house" etc etc. As a couple we probably do earn more but (a) who cares? And (b) why should I be made to feel guilty about this?

I've always thought as a solicitor DBiL would earn well anyway? He's hinted he's a lower rate tax payer but I can't imagine he's too far off. I don't care what people earn but I'm just fed up of him acting like they're so hard done by.

Now I am curious though, what would a (south east but not London) solicitor earn who's been working since 2001?

OP posts:
Original poster
iloveberries · 05/08/2012 07:55

Sorry, my op is a bit confusing! Dbil's comments are about how it's alright for me and dh...

OP posts:
Chubfuddler · 05/08/2012 07:56

Depends. What area does he practice in? Does he work in private practice or in house? If he works for a charity or does legal aid I can easily see him earning less than 35k.

As for who cares - you do, evidently.

Original poster
iloveberries · 05/08/2012 07:57

I only care cause I'm fed up of dh and I bring made to feel guilty!

He's in a private practice of a big law firm

OP posts:
Chubfuddler · 05/08/2012 07:58

For the first two years he would have been on training contract salary - back then about 14k minimum, and a lot of firms do only pay minimum. And if he did conversion he probably had to pay for it himself - about 12k in fees. They may well still be paying that back.

Chubfuddler · 05/08/2012 08:00

I'd be v surprised if he was under 45k tbh. I earn over 30 and I work part time, 2 years qualified in a small regional firm in south west.

VolAuVent · 05/08/2012 08:01

He may not be earning as much as you think.

But he's being rude to keep making jealous comments.

TheOneWithTheGoldMedals · 05/08/2012 08:01

First, contrary to popular belief, not all solicitors earn big money.

Second, YANBU. Your bil needs to get rid of the chip on his shoulder and you shouldn't be made to feel guilty. It's just jealousy. He may not be a big earner but if both are working in stable,professional jobs they won't be on the breadline. It says more about the mind set he's in rather than what you and dh earn.

Original poster
iloveberries · 05/08/2012 08:03

This is what I think chub but why would someone lie about their salary so much?

I always thought solicitors were very well paid.

OP posts:
HKat · 05/08/2012 08:03

As others have said, would depend on his area of practice and position in the firm - however, like in all cases it will depend on his outgoings. Like me you can earn a substantial wage yet if you have substantial outgoings still due to stupid choices made before you got to this point then things could easily still be a struggle until that's finally resolved. Do not saying YABU unusual as I can see your point. But you may not know all the facts.

mellen · 05/08/2012 08:06

It does seem unlikley that somone in that position could be a lower rate taxpayer . It isnt really relevent though is it - unless you are employing him then his income is nothing to do with you, so dont feel guilty for it.

Original poster
iloveberries · 05/08/2012 08:07

He's in clinical negligence. I don't know much about how different areas pay. I know (well they say) they don't have debts and they have done well on property do I think it's a case of them being comfortable but a little bit

OP posts:
Original poster
iloveberries · 05/08/2012 08:07

A little bit Envy

OP posts:
Dprince · 05/08/2012 08:08

Some people are just like that. They are the people who look at everyone else and see what everyone else has that they don't.
He may not earn that much, he could be shit at his job for example or he could be rubbish at progressing himself.
I do think its in bad taste to try work out what he earns though.

Original poster
iloveberries · 05/08/2012 08:11

I understand the comment about it being in bad taste but I was genuinely curious as whenever he pleads poverty dh says "you can't be doing that bad mate" and he makes a comment about how poorly paid he is. I wanted to understand if we are missing something!

OP posts:
lovebunny · 05/08/2012 08:12

anyone can be short of money, or wish they had more. perhaps you just use your money more effectively.

Chubfuddler · 05/08/2012 08:13

I'm in personal injury. Clin neg pays slightly better if anything, even though largely funded by legal aid.

He's obviously just a chippy sort.

Chubfuddler · 05/08/2012 08:14

He probably thinks he should be paid more for what he does (and when you see what the firm bills for the work you do, it's understandable).

TandB · 05/08/2012 08:20

If he was working at my old firm in London, which did clin neg, he would be on about £18k as a trainee, probably around £25k as a newly qualified and then would have gone up about £1500 a year, so not massive money.

It was a mainly legal aid firm.

I now work for a small legal aid firm where I am a salaried partner. I am 10 years qualified with both of the salary-raising qualifications that you can get, and I am on less than £40k - or I was before going part-time. Currently on statutory maternity pay.

There is a massive variation in salaries so he could easily be struggling.

TandB · 05/08/2012 08:22

Sorry, meant to say that my old firm was largish - about 170 staff - but massively tight on salaries.

mummyonvalium · 05/08/2012 08:27

Used to work for a guy like this - he would always tell people he had no money (even the secretaries which did not go down well). Funny enough he was clinical negligence as well.

Mayisout · 05/08/2012 08:31

Cheered me up to hear solicitors are not always that highly paid.

A1980 · 05/08/2012 08:40

YABU. PI and CN solicitor salaries are shite. It is unlikely he would have had funding for his conversion course and LPC so he's probably been paying back £25k of loans in the last 10 years which with interest would be £40k or so. how well off would any of you be if you had to pay back £400 a month in law school loans as well as your undergrad loans on top of everything else when your salary is probably less than £35k.

I'm in the same boat. you'd be surprised how tough it is. but he is being unreasonable in taking it out on you. he made his choices.

TandB · 05/08/2012 08:45

Mayisout Sun 05-Aug-12 08:31:10
Cheered me up to hear solicitors are not always that highly paid.

Really? Why? I can't go back to the job I love because 2 sets of childcare plus travel costs are more than my salary. I'm not feeling terribly cheerful about it to be honest.

SpottedGurnard · 05/08/2012 11:06

A family member of mine is a big shot solicitor in london. He pleads poverty because to him being poor is only getting a 6 figure salary. Poor him.

sue52 · 05/08/2012 11:30

Solicitors have been hit by the recession too.