dilemma--I've got local career, wife got a 177 LSAT Forum

[World B. Free]

I'm only posting to boost the number of posts between OP and him coming back

Ha ha... Since this was OP's 1st post, maybe he forgot to check back

[jayn3]

I'm only posting to boost the number of posts between OP and him coming back

Ha ha... Since this was OP's 1st post, maybe he forgot to check back

or maybe it was a really freaking good flame after all

[World B. Free]

I'm only posting to boost the number of posts between OP and him coming back

Ha ha... Since this was OP's 1st post, maybe he forgot to check back

or maybe it was a really freaking good flame after all

at least it gave everyone something to talk about

[mst]

I don't know why anybody has continued to respond to this thread (myself included) without some idea of HOW good the local schools are. If there's a T20 or T30 school thats near, with that LSAT and her GPA she can probably get an amazing scholarship, and then you both win. She gets the benefit of putting her scores to their full use (through scholarship, rather than t6 prestige) and you get the benefit of not selling the dealership that's been in your family for years, while also keeping your wife.

[februaryftw]

Other thing is, I married a smartie, who just graduated with highest honors at the local college. We'd always planned on her going to law school around here afterward. She still insists that she'd be okay with that, but I know that she could go somewhere like Harvard, and I'd feel extremely guilty if she gave something like that up for me.

So I guess my question is basically whether in the long run it'd be better financially for me to sell my business and go with her to some fancy school, or have her stay around here and go to law school at a local law school?

This is really two separate questions. As others have noted, probably the best financial move is either a) having an experienced GM take over the dealership while you are away and working elsewhere (e.g. Boston) or b) a full scholarship at your local school, depending upon what that local school actually is.

Option A is also probably the best move if you want to help your wife pursue opportunities she wouldn't otherwise be able to pursue, but without more specifics it is hard to say. The whole second question of whether you'd be holding your wife back if you didn't move etc. is way too personal and complicated a question to answer, especially with limited info. But given your wife's willingness to stay local if needed, and your desire of what is best for her, it sounds like you'll both come to well thought out decision that you both can agree on. Best of luck, just remember it is a good problem to have!

[phillaw]

Notalawyer, try this exercise that my wife and I did three years ago when we had to make a similar decision:

Sit down and try to visualize the life you and her plan to have in 5-10 years (and even after that if you want). Think and describe specifically: the house, the neighborhood, the kids (if wished), the distance from family and good friends, the legal job market, the sales job market, the economic future of the community, the daily routine, the income/total debt burden, the working hours, the degrees/alumni contacts desired, the pro sports teams, the access to recreation and entertainment, the weather, etc.

Once you have that life visualized and she starts researching law schools and the legal job market, the two of you should plan out at least a 5-year strategy on how to get there. The strategy should maximize both persons' potentials (do your business skills depend on the local economy? does her future job depend on a top law degree?). Be conservative and realistic, but also dream big and try for the best because this will make the exercise more enjoyable.

I may sound like a tool, but now that my wife and I are actually achieving the things we put in that strategy it feels awesome. But feelings always change, so throw the strategy out the window whenever you want.

[dubsky]

I wish I had the OP's problem

[dextermorgan]

I wish I had the OP's problem

What, being bored online?

[UCLAtransfer]

Notalawyer, try this exercise that my wife and I did three years ago when we had to make a similar decision:

Sit down and try to visualize the life you and her plan to have in 5-10 years (and even after that if you want). Think and describe specifically: the house, the neighborhood, the kids (if wished), the distance from family and good friends, the legal job market, the sales job market, the economic future of the community, the daily routine, the income/total debt burden, the working hours, the degrees/alumni contacts desired, the pro sports teams, the access to recreation and entertainment, the weather, etc.

Once you have that life visualized and she starts researching law schools and the legal job market, the two of you should plan out at least a 5-year strategy on how to get there. The strategy should maximize both persons' potentials (do your business skills depend on the local economy? does her future job depend on a top law degree?). Be conservative and realistic, but also dream big and try for the best because this will make the exercise more enjoyable.

I may sound like a tool, but now that my wife and I are actually achieving the things we put in that strategy it feels awesome. But feelings always change, so throw the strategy out the window whenever you want.

This is truly great advice.

[legal_eagle]

Dont drag your wife down man. If she can go to a top tier law school, let her go. Perhaps you can do long distance for a year while you try to wrap up your plans. Destiny is greater for her dude

Sounds like a recipe for losing half his business in a divorce.

TITCR

[mhernton]

This actually sounds like a great opportunity. Car Sales are a portable business, and if your are pulling in 200K a year you should have no problem setting up a lot where ever she goes to law school, and setting up a partner or manager at the lot you currently own. You set up an operations manual, and fly back twice a month to make sure everything is on track. You can also buy some property to set up a lot where she goes to law school, get a local auto broker's license, and the required bond to start up shop. You didn't mention kids so that won't be an issue. You'll be busy enough to have your own thing and stay out of her hair, and increasing your business profits.

My wife an I are going to separate schools for two years or more, because she is thinking about a masters after she finishes up her BS.

Like I said don't look at this as either/or, look at it as an opportunity for expansion.

[kalvano]

This actually sounds like a great opportunity. Car Sales are a portable business, and if your are pulling in 200K a year you should have no problem setting up a lot where ever she goes to law school, and setting up a partner or manager at the lot you currently own. You set up an operations manual, and fly back twice a month to make sure everything is on track. You can also buy some property to set up a lot where she goes to law school, get a local auto broker's license, and the required bond to start up shop. You didn't mention kids so that won't be an issue. You'll be busy enough to have your own thing and stay out of her hair, and increasing your business profits.

Way too complicated. It takes a lot more than that to set up a car dealership.

It would be better to find someone he trusts to manage it, and pay them $100K or so. While that's going on, selling at someone else's dealership is significantly less hassle and liability and expense. With a resume like that, he could probably get a nice gig at a luxury car place, which is very nice.

Once she is done with school, just leave. It's much easier to sell at a place that already has an established reputation than try and establish your own place.

[Cupidity]

Attempt to sell the business outright and pocket a cool mil?

[pugalicious]

If your wife really got those grades and scores, then she knew she would be a contender for a top law school, yet she CHOSE to marry a man who owns a car lot in a city with no top law school. The, she already made her decision when you got married - you should feel incredibly lucky to have such a devoted and loving wife. She is lucky, too, that her husband wants to be supportive up to the point of giving up his family business.

I say: Buy her some jewelry and take her on a nice 2nd honeymoon before she starts at the local law school (on a full ride scholarship). And don't get her pregnant until after law school. Live happily ever after.

[Mosca]

Tell her to go to Vanderbilt.

[Renzo]

Man.

Thank god this board gives better (if just barely) advice on law school than it does on marriage or business.

[toolfan]

If it is her passion, she should go. While attending HYS is phenomenal, it is in no way shape or form a golden ticket. Maybe it still is, but not like it used to be. And are you okay with "taking one for the team?" I mean, you make good money.

Final word of advice - let her go. if you own a company, hire a qualified, trustworthy manager to take your place, and take a pay cut.

[motiontodismiss]

Personally I think that part of exchanging vows means maybe passing up options like Harvard Law. .

No way. Never. If I get into HLS I'm going, come hell or high water.

[NonTradHealthLaw]

Sorry if OP does eventually respond, but does anyone else thnk this may be LSAC's new way of testng expermental writing sample sections? Sounds like two equally arguable decisions...both of which are ungraded.

[jayn3]

Sorry if OP does eventually respond, but does anyone else thnk this may be LSAC's new way of testng expermental writing sample sections? Sounds like two equally arguable decisions...both of which are ungraded.

--ImageRemoved--

[kalvano]

I'm greatly amused by the people who think that getting married somehow means you have to sacrifice something like attending HLS.

[youpiiz]

.

[Kchuck]

I'm only posting to boost the number of posts between OP and him coming back

Your username and avatar are contradictory.

[RudeDudewithAttitude]

Personally I think that part of exchanging vows means maybe passing up options like Harvard Law. .

No way. Never. If I get into HLS I'm going, come hell or high water.

Law school prestige >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Love, Happiness, Hobbies, Stuff Like That

[dextermorgan]

Personally I think that part of exchanging vows means maybe passing up options like Harvard Law. .

No way. Never. If I get into HLS I'm going, come hell or high water.

Law school prestige >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Love, Happiness, Hobbies, Stuff Like That

TITCR