It can be tempting to go without a lawyer in order to avoid hefty legal fees when you've been charged with what seems like a minor crime or when you have certain legal paperwork you need prepared. However, there are times when those fees are well worth the investment and when it's never good to try to handle your situation on your own, without proper advice and assistance. To help you determine if you need a lawyer, note a few quick tips you might consider.
1. Consider the worst case scenario
If you've been charged with a seemingly minor crime, what is the worst case scenario for how it might turn out for you? Rather than assuming that jail time would never happen to you, note the maximum penalty for that crime and consider if you're willing to risk facing that; if not, you need a lawyer!
Do the same for legal paperwork you need prepared and other such circumstances. As an example, if you don't fill out your will properly, what is the worst thing that could happen? Your estate could wind up in probate court for many years, people may make a claim against your estate, and your wishes may not be honored after you're gone. To avoid these things, hire a lawyer to help you through any such situation.
2. Does the other party really have your best interest in mind?
Divorcing couples may split amicably and not try to complicate each other's lives, but this thinking isn't always true in other legal situations. For instance, if you've been injured on the job or in a car accident and you've been offered a settlement by an insurance company, ask yourself if it's likely that they really have your best interests in mind. Chances are they are more likely concerned with saving money than with being fair to you. The same could be considered for business deals; if you're buying a business, does the seller really have your best business interests in mind or is it more likely that they want maximum profit for themselves?
This is an especially good consideration if the other party has a lawyer to represent them; if they've hired legal counsel, no doubt they're looking out for their own legal interests and not yours. To ensure that your rights and your best interests are considered, it can be good to hire lawyers in that expertise when you know the other party is not looking out for you.
Share19 January 2016
My dad died when I was still pretty young so it's been a big surprise all the stuff I've had to do to sort out his estate. I'm an only child and my folks divorced when I was a baby so most of the work fell to me. He was kind of disorganised and grumpy, but at least he'd spoken to his lawyer and got a proper will drawn up which saved on confusion at a tricky time. If you are a young person dealing with the estate of a deceased parent, this blog is designed to help you navigate the legal processes.