Am I crazy to consider law school in my mid-50s?

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PPs. I do not have a pile of money to burn. I don't need to make a lot of money, but I do need to have something to do for the next 15 years or so. I don't want to get a degree, then do nothing but volunteer work either.

Feeling stuck right now. Mid-50s SAHM is not a good place to be when trying to go back to work. I've always been interested in law. When I was young, people told me to "follow your bliss." I didn't listen then.

Bucket list? Not really. Just thought it would be interesting and maybe I could work for a few years at a low-paying but somewhat interesting job. Pipe dream?

[Anonymous]

I would recommend volunteering with CASA. It is interesting and legal-related but you do not need to be a lawyer. And these people are incredibly important.


Or become a paralegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm also considering it in my mid-40's. My cousin finished law school in her early 40's and now has an amazing career. But I think with law school (any school) at our age, you have to have a very clear idea of what you want to do afterwards. Why do you want a law degree?

I thought maybe I could work for a nonprofit. Tried to research, but there's almost no information out there about older law school grads. None, I've found.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. I do not have a pile of money to burn. I don't need to make a lot of money, but I do need to have something to do for the next 15 years or so. I don't want to get a degree, then do nothing but volunteer work either.

Feeling stuck right now. Mid-50s SAHM is not a good place to be when trying to go back to work. I've always been interested in law. When I was young, people told me to "follow your bliss." I didn't listen then.

Bucket list? Not really. Just thought it would be interesting and maybe I could work for a few years at a low-paying but somewhat interesting job. Pipe dream?

I’ve never heard anyone describe practicing law as being “blissful”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm also considering it in my mid-40's. My cousin finished law school in her early 40's and now has an amazing career. But I think with law school (any school) at our age, you have to have a very clear idea of what you want to do afterwards. Why do you want a law degree?

I thought maybe I could work for a nonprofit. Tried to research, but there's almost no information out there about older law school grads. None, I've found.

When I went to law school, the “old” students were in their 30s.

[Anonymous]

I think you’ve watched too many law & order episodes. Or perhaps legally blonde a few too many times.

[Anonymous]

You know what’s worse than being a mid-50’s SAHM? An almost 60 year old law school grad trying to find their first legal job.

[Anonymous]

can you become a paralegal? My friend's father did this in his 50's after a career as a professor in a humanities field. He's now 70+ and still working as a paralegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:can you become a paralegal? My friend's father did this in his 50's after a career as a professor in a humanities field. He's now 70+ and still working as a paralegal.

My thought as well. Makes much more sense than law school at this age.

[Anonymous]

I gotta be honest - I can't imagine who would hire you as a lawyer once they find out you have zero experience.

[Anonymous]

The age discrimination you mention is going to be a huge problem for you, particularly when combined with zero legal experience. I know people in their 60s with decades of legal work experience behind them who have struggled to find new jobs at that stage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend volunteering with CASA. It is interesting and legal-related but you do not need to be a lawyer. And these people are incredibly important.


Or become a paralegal.

Thanks. I just looked at the CASA website, and it does sound important, especially right now.

Do older paralegals get hired? Just wondering if that would be a waste of money too? And I wonder if I'd be frustrated as a paralegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. I do not have a pile of money to burn. I don't need to make a lot of money, but I do need to have something to do for the next 15 years or so. I don't want to get a degree, then do nothing but volunteer work either.

Feeling stuck right now. Mid-50s SAHM is not a good place to be when trying to go back to work. I've always been interested in law. When I was young, people told me to "follow your bliss." I didn't listen then.

Bucket list? Not really. Just thought it would be interesting and maybe I could work for a few years at a low-paying but somewhat interesting job. Pipe dream?

I’ve never heard anyone describe practicing law as being “blissful”.

No, but I was interested in law when I was in my 20s. I didn't follow that interest, which seems a shame to me now. Maybe I would have hated it, but I wish I had tried it. A good friend went to law school and loved it. It suited him. I think it would have suited me, but I chose to pursue another career, which I was good at, but didn't really love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:can you become a paralegal? My friend's father did this in his 50's after a career as a professor in a humanities field. He's now 70+ and still working as a paralegal.

I hadn't thought of this, but it might work for me. Glad to hear others have gone this route successfully.

[Anonymous]

I agree with others on exploring the paralegal route.