Do I Need an Attorney?

Life holds many events that require legal advice.  In the United States, nearly every act has legal consequences.  A few reasons to seek assistance from an attorney include:

"    Landlord issues
"    Divorces
"    Personal injury suits
"    Employment and harassment problems
"    Contracts
"    Real estate dealings
"    Insurance or government benefit troubles
"    Investing
"    Estate planning such as wills and living trusts
"    Tax tangles
"    Criminal proceedings
"    Planning your estate; making a will, setting up an trust.
"    Establishing or dissolving a business, including home-based businesses
"    Bankruptcy, either business or personal
"    An accident that resulted in injury or property loss
"    Debt collection
"    Any involvement in a lawsuit
"    Being charged with a crime

Some of these can be handled without a lawyer, some require more legal knowledge than the average person has easy access to.  How are you to know if an attorney is needed?  Basically, the simpler the issue, the less likely a lawyer is required. 
Something like an uncontested divorce needs no attorney.  The paperwork needs to be filed properly, but anyone is allowed do this.  This is called pro se, Latin for 'do it yourself.'  The non-legal world calls it DIY.

 
A straight-forward will can be done pro se.  In fact, most any straight-forward, uncomplicated legal dealing can be done without an attorney.  For example, when you sign a lease for an apartment or a car, you sign a legal document, but rarely is a lawyer consulted. 

With a complicated legal document, such as a detailed will, or a multi-page contract, the advice of a lawyer is desirable.  Many contracts contain "legalese" that most people hate.  Some lawyers claim the reason for much of the legalese is that many legal words have specific definitions that attorneys and judges agree on and understand.  However, a lot of convoluted language is unnecessary.  The best way to word a contract is to use the most straight-forward language possible.

If the matter is going to court, then your decision is more complicated.  Small-claims court rarely involves a lawyer.  The cost of the attorney would probably offset any decision of the court in your favor.   However, if you are owed a significant amount of money, someone who understands the legal system and precedents is a great advantage.

If the issue can result in trouble with the government, such as incorporating a small business, or property issues, be sure to involve a lawyer early.

Disclaimer: This website is not equivalent to legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Any specific questions concerning your legal rights should be presented your attorney.