When they think about hiring a lawyer, most people think of criminal cases and a media circus. While such situations are undoubtedly where layers become household names, they’re not what constitute the bread and butter of most law firms.
Usually, people hire lawyers for far more mundane reasons, including issues at work, a divorce, creating a will or a trust, and so on. However, because they associate lawyers with criminal law, many people don’t think of contacting a lawyer in many situations in which they can benefit from the help of one.
There are several situations in which you should consider hiring legal help or a legal consultant.
Business Issues
If you run your own business, you’ll soon realize that you need legal help for a host of business concerns. These include writing contracts, registering and licensing your business, and filing your tax returns. Additionally, you will need legal advice if you’re acquiring another business or selling yours to someone else.
Even if you’re not a business owner, you may find yourself needing legal help as an employee of a company. Depending on the position you work in and the requirements your company has for you, you may want to have a lawyer look over your employment contract before signing it. Additionally, if you have any issues with your employer, like unfair discrimination or dismissal, having a lawyer by your side can make the redressal process much smoother.
Civil Injury Matters
If you are injured, and someone else’s negligence was at fault, there is a good chance that you have the right to restitution. In such situations, hiring a personal injury lawyer is essential to ensure that you get the compensation due to you. These situations are rarely criminal issues and will be handled in civil court.
Other civil matters for which you require legal help include medical malpractice. If you’ve trusted your health to the hands of a qualified doctor, it can be extremely traumatic to discover that, instead of getting better, your health has gotten worse due to the negligent (whether purposeful or not) actions of your medical professionals. In such situations, you’re likely staring down additional medical bills and the worry of lost wages from missed work.
As with personal injuries, medical malpractice is handled in a civil court, and you are potentially entitled to a financial payout. Elements that affect the compensation you get through civil court include determining who was at fault, whether you have medical bills that need to be paid, a replacement for lost wages, payment for property damage and property loss, and more.
Family Law Issues
Most people cannot fathom involving a family law lawyer in internal family issues. However, in some situations, seeking legal help is crucial.
One of the most common family issues in which a lawyer is required is during a divorce. While there’s always a hope that you can work with your ex and reach a mutual settlement if there are issues – such as custody battles for minor children and concerns about abuse – having legal help ensures that your side of the argument is heard in court. Additionally, if your ex has retained a lawyer, you need one as well to be able to properly represent your side of the matter in court.
Additionally, if you’re applying for legal guardianship for a child whose parents are incapable of taking care of them or are looking to adopt a child (whether locally or internationally), having legal help from a child custody lawyer to navigate the court system is a must.
Finally, if you’re a minor looking to get emancipated for any reason – including abusive home life, marriage while underage, and situations where someone below the age of 18 has been kicked out of their home – having legal help increases the chances of a court accepting your petition.
Estate Planning
Once you start earning and have a family of your own, one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll get is to ensure that you have a will in place for emergencies. Doing so is especially important if you’re advancing in age or have accumulated a significant amount of assets.
A lawyer will be able to help you craft an iron-tight will or trust. They’ll be able to place contingencies in these documents to ensure that you don’t have to worry about legal battles amongst surviving family members after you pass and ensure that your will follows all local laws. Additionally, by hiring a Morgan Law Group in Orange County, you’ll have a will on record, so there won’t be a concern about your descendants not being able to find a copy after your passing.
While hiring a lawyer may seem like an extreme overreaction and a step you never want to take, the fact of the matter is, a lawyer can help reduce conflict rather than increase it. Additionally, with legal help by your side, you won’t have to worry about getting cheated out of your dues because of your unfamiliarity with the legal system.
