If everything in life went perfect, there were never any accidents and everyone stood around singing Kumbaya all the time, chances are we really wouldn’t need lawyers. Unfortunately, that is quite far from the case and lawyers are needed in just about every aspect of life.
It can be hard to determine if you need a lawyer or not in some cases, and finding the right one can be even harder. Even if you do have a lawyer, you’re highly unlikely to ever see the inside of a courtroom, with only around 5% of trials actually making it to that point.
So what do you need to consider before hiring a lawyer? Below are some circumstances that could help clarify your situation.
Your Legal Situation Seems Way Too Complex
There’s a reasons people like doctors, dentists and lawyers go to very expensive schools for longer than the average educational career. They need that much time to be able to learn about law and their specific discipline.
Sure, you can go Googling around and think you may have found a solution to your problem, but chances are there are many other little (or big) things that could influence your situation and you just don’t know about them. There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t know enough about your present circumstances to ask for help.
You don’t want to miss a document or a deadline and have your whole case go up in flames. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try and wrap your head around the situation, but when it comes to the point where you’re throwing up your hands, it’s time to hire an expert.
Going for a Consultation
A consultation and go a long way in determining whether or not you need a lawyer, and it can save you a ton of money, time and frustration. Depending on the firm, some lawyers offer free consultations while others charge a small fee.
The meeting may last no more than a few hours and the fee could just be $100, but in this case it’s completely worth it.
They’ll also be able to tell you whether or not you have a case to present and what the chances are. If they are not the right lawyer for your case, maybe they can refer you to someone else to better help you.
Looking at Your Specific Circumstances
Going back to the doctor’s example above, there are many different types of doctors. From brain surgeons to pediatricians, different doctors perform, well, different tasks. The same rule applies to lawyers.
Let’s have a look at an example. If you’ve been in a car accident, chances are you’ll need a personal injury lawyer. They’ll help you determine definable duty, meaning who was in the wrong in the accident, and file the proper lawsuit to help you in the long run.
Other common areas where lawyers are needed are writing out a will, a child custody issue, tax issues or opening a business. In these situations, you’ll want to make sure you have a lawyer on hand ready to help you navigate your situation.
But not every situation in court means you need to be slamming your palms on a table saying “get me my lawyer!” One of these common instances is small claims court, where you’re unlikely to need a lawyer for such a small instance. In addition, many courts require people to represent themselves. Think of it like you’re going onto Judge Judy, just without the “Judy” part.
Think About the Finances
Many times, people are thrown off from getting a lawyer because they think of the finances. Lawyers are definitely not cheap and you’ll have to think about the financial implications of hiring a lawyer. If you’re going for a hefty lawsuit, will you win enough to cover your lawyer fees? What kind of payment plan does your lawyer have set up for you?
You can browse through many lawyers or go through your state bar association to choose the best one for you. In the end, you want someone who is going to put forth their best effort to represent you and help you get the justice you deserve.
