Seven Times in Your Life When You Should Contact a Lawyer

Most people don't look forward to hiring a lawyer. It's true that it has the potential to be expensive, and dealing with the law is never fun, so most people do what they can to avoid hiring a professional.

However, you could be doing yourself a disservice by not hiring an attorney. They are there to protect you and help you in many different situations. If you find yourself with one of the following challenges, it's worth your time to pick up the phone and schedule a consultation with a lawyer.

You've Been Injured

There are countless ways you can be injured. If you slip and fall in your own driveway, there's not much you can do but visit the doctor. If instead you are injured due to someone else's negligence, it's worth it to contact an attorney.

A personal injury lawyer can help in a wide variety of cases. They can help you take on your insurance company in a car accident, they can help you cover medical costs if you're injured on someone else's property, and they can help you recover funds that were lost because you couldn't go to work.

If you aren't sure if hiring an attorney is appropriate, give them a call anyway. Most offer free initial consultations where they can tell you the best way to proceed in your case.

You're Getting Divorced

It's true that you can technically file divorce papers without an attorney. It's not easy though. There are many different papers to fill out and court dates to attend.

Doing it on your own is impossible if any portion of your divorce is contested. Whether there are kids involved or one spouse thinks they deserve alimony, there is a lot to consider when you're teasing apart two lives.

An attorney can help in every case. Basic services are relatively affordable, and they can ensure your paperwork is filed properly. If your divorce is contested, it's a good idea to hire your own attorney whose job is to make sure you get what you deserve in the divorce.

You're Starting a New Business Venture

Ready to invest in a new business idea? Or maybe you're finally taking the dive to start your own business? If you're mixing finances with business in any way, it's a good idea to hire an attorney.

There are many things a business attorney can help you with. They can help you prepare important contracts, determine how you're going to organize your business, and lease commercial space. They can also help you protect your intellectual property, and they can make sure you're properly licensed and set up to pay taxes legally.

Perhaps the most important reason to hire an attorney before starting a new business venture is that they can greatly reduce the likelihood of you being sued in the future. Even a relatively small legal matter can spell the end of a business, so it's important to have an attorney on your side before that happens.

You're Ready to Prepare Your Estate

It's not fun to think about what life will be like when you're gone, but it is important. It doesn't matter how many assets you have or how big your family, you should make time to prepare your estate with an attorney.

A few things an attorney can help you with when planning your estate include:

• A will or trust that explains how your assets will be divided.

• Durable power of attorney so you know who will be making decisions on your behalf.

• Guardianship designations, if there are children involved.

An attorney can also help you get life insurance in order so that money doesn't have to pass through probate before it can be used for your final expenses.

You've Got Some Serious Money Challenges

When you think of hiring an attorney for money challenges, money troubles come to mind. An attorney should definitely help you if you're dealing with bankruptcy, and they can be a powerful ally if you're dealing with the IRS. However, they can be just as helpful if your challenges are positive ones.

If you inherit a substantial chunk of money, or if you are one of the lucky few who wins the lottery, you should hire an attorney.

They can help you assemble a financial team to manage your new-found wealth, and in the case of lottery winnings, they can help keep you anonymous, in addition to helping you weigh the pros and cons of choosing between payout options.

You're Being Sued

Being sued is nothing to brush under the rug. Even something seemingly small can turn into a huge problem that can devastate your family and ruin your life.

It's important to get a professional attorney's opinion, even in the case of small claims court. They can increase your chances of experiencing a favorable outcome in the courtroom, but they can also help you understand the entire process, which can bring you peace of mind while you're in the thick of it.

You Have Been Unfairly Terminated

Few of us are lucky enough to have the money we need to survive without a job. If you find yourself without one, and you don't think you were let go fairly, you should contact an attorney.

Signs that you were terminated unfairly and it's time to contact a lawyer include:

• Your employer violated the terms of a written or verbal contract.

• You were discriminated against based on age, race, gender, or something else.

• Your employer violated public policy.

• You believe you were retaliated against.

• Your character was defamed before or after you were terminated.

An attorney can help you get back your reputation, and they can help you receive unemployment while you search for another job.

It's true that you should take your decision to hire an attorney seriously, but that doesn't mean you should avoid it at all costs. There are at least a few times in your life when calling a lawyer can really pay off.