No matter the situation, legal issues can be both extremely confusing and daunting—especially when trying to face them alone. Whether you’re trying to buy a new home or dealing with a DUI, lawyers are a must to guide you through and safeguard your rights. This article shares 17 critical situations where having a lawyer can make all the difference.
Buying or Selling Property
If you’ve never bought or sold property before, you may be underestimating just how complex it can be to navigate the various real estate laws and contracts. A lawyer will be your saving grace in this instance, ensuring the proper transfer of deeds and titles and handling zoning issues and disputes.
Starting a New Business
Do you want to start a business but find the legal aspects overwhelming? This is where a lawyer comes in to take the load off. They’ll give you advice on the business structure and legal formation, they can draft founding documents and ensure compliance with regulations, and they can help you protect intellectual property right from the start.
Drafting a Will or Estate Planning
You may think this is something you can do yourself, but as told by LegalZoom, a lawyer “can help you decipher how to navigate the estate planning process and stay in compliance with your state requirements.” Professionals can ensure the validity of your documents and advise on tax implications and asset protection.
Going Through a Divorce
When going through a divorce, especially a rather messy one, a lawyer is essential to ensuring a fair outcome. A good lawyer can mean the difference between ending up with next to nothing and getting favorable terms in asset division. They can also handle custody agreements and support arrangements.
Facing Criminal Charges
Whatever you do, don’t attempt to fight off criminal charges without the help of an experienced lawyer. They can defend your rights in court, advise you on plea bargains and trial strategies, and protect you from wrongful convictions. Even if you’re guilty, a good lawyer can save you from a longer sentence.
Involved in a Traffic Accident
In the unfortunate circumstance that you’re involved in an accident, a lawyer can help you deal with insurance claims and disputes. You may not be able to secure compensation for injuries or damages on your own, but a professional often can. If necessary, they can also represent you in traffic court.
Signing or Negotiating a Contract
According to The University of Law, “More than two thirds of people (68%) either don’t read or don’t understand contracts they sign.” If you aren’t interested in reading contracts yourself, a lawyer can save you! They’ll review documents for hidden terms and can negotiate or protect you from unfair clauses.
Dealing with Employment Disputes
Nobody wants to be wrapped up in an employment dispute, but if you are, it’s best to let a lawyer handle things. They can take on wrongful termination or discrimination claims, represent you in wage disputes, and also advise you on employment contracts and benefits.
Filing for Bankruptcy
If you ever find yourself filing for bankruptcy, a lawyer can save you from making costly mistakes or having to spend hours on the process yourself. These professionals can guide you through, protecting your assets where possible. They can also advise you on alternatives to bankruptcy, saving you a lot of hassle!
Resolving Business Disputes
Sometimes it’s not the smartest idea to face business disputes alone. Without realizing it, you can end up knee-deep in paperwork and in over your head! A lawyer, however, can represent your business interests effectively, mediate disputes, and manage conflict resolution.
Managing Child Custody Issues
While you can attempt to navigate the legal aspects of custody and parenting plans alone or with an ex-partner, “professional legal help moves the process faster and gives you a stronger chance to win the resolution you want,” as per FindLaw. A lawyer is your best bet to advocate for your interests and those of your child.
Defending Intellectual Property
Caught up in an intellectual property dispute? In this situation, a lawyer can truly save you (and your property)! They’ll be able to enforce your intellectual property rights, handle patent, trademark, or copyright disputes, and protect your creative or business investments, taking all the stress off your shoulders.
Immigration Issues
One battle you certainly don’t want to face alone is anything to do with immigration. It’s best to leave all immigration issues to professionals, who are trained and experienced in visa applications, citizenship, and residency. Lawyers can also handle deportation or asylum cases in which you’d likely struggle alone.
Personal Injury Claims
It may sound simple to file a personal injury claim, but in reality, there’s a lot to it, and you likely won’t get the outcome you desire without legal help. Lawyers can save the day by helping you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and litigate against the parties responsible for your injuries.
Tax Disputes
As shared by Investopedia, “If an individual has a dispute with the IRS or wants to delay paying taxes, the individual must file a petition with the U.S. Tax Court.” This can get complicated and the overall process is overwhelming for the average citizen, so a lawyer can really swoop in and save the day here.
Environmental Law Issues
If you own a business or are otherwise caught up in any environmental issues, then your best chance of success is to hire a lawyer experienced in these cases. They can advise you on compliance with environmental regulations, represent you in disputes over land use or pollution, and so on.
Handling Probate and Executor Duties
Navigating the probate process can be troublesome, but not with the help of a lawyer. They can help ensure everything goes smoothly and can also advise executors and beneficiaries on their legal duties. Resolving disputes among heirs or beneficiaries also becomes a breeze with a lawyer’s help!