Simply stated, you need to hire an attorney when the benefit you receive from having the attorney on your “team” outweighs the cost of doing so. Selecting a lawyer is a personal matter, whether the situation is business, real estate, domestic or probate.
Legal professionals can be an integral part of your team, assisting you in understanding the legal regulations and/or forms, filing things that require legal assistance, educating you about the “rules”, and helping to devise “strategy”.
No matter what the issue, it essential that you “get along” with whatever professional you select – including any attorneys you hire. Make sure that the approach and the personality support and help you and don’t aggravate or impede the work which needs to be done.
Many attorneys will provide a short consultation — at no cost — so you can start to outline the type of situation with which you need assistance. You can often determine from that discussion whether or not that attorney’s approach, and their demeanor, seems to be a “fit” with your needs.
Many business matters can be resolved between parties who are involved, without assistance. Others benefit a great deal from adding a knowledgeable third party, perhaps an attorney who is skilled in mediation or negotiation, as well as the problem area that’s involved.
In contrast, ending a marriage or domestic partnership, or working on custody issues, involves very personal legal and financial considerations. Along with serving as your advocate and negotiator, a lawyer knows the process to follow and which papers to file, in which courts. Your attorney can make you aware of your legal rights and obligations, can help reach settlement on disputes, and can represent you in standing up for your rights.
Often each spouse or party is represented by an attorney. Those two professionals can often successfully negotiate outcomes that the parties themselves are too emotional to do on their own. Your attorney can provide a “bridge” between you and the “other side”, removing some of the negative emotions that can stand in the way of resolving problems.
If you would benefit from having a brief legal consult about your rights and responsibilities when ending a relationship, you are welcome to contact me for an appointment, or reach me by using this “Contact Form”.
