“Do I need a lawyer for this?” is one of the most common questions we hear—and a good one, because often it’s wise to consult a lawyer both before (so you don’t need them later) and after you need it. Hiring a lawyer can be a preventative measure, such as when you are estate planning or need a solid contract drafted for your company that protects you from almost any legal action. Those are just two of the many reasons to consult a lawyer; we’ve listed a few of the many situations where consulting a lawyer is wise.
- Estate planning
- Drafting a will (or trust or power or attorney or…)
- You want to update your will
- Transitioning your business to family
- Transitioning your business to non-related partners
- You want to name a guardian for your children
- Appealing a large health insurance claim
- You have a lot of medical bills from a car or motorcycle accident
- You need to know your rights as a landlord
- You’re a landlord and you need a rental agreement in line with local regulations
- You need to evict a tenant legally
- You need legal assistance to get your security deposit back from your landlord
- You’re starting a new business
- You run a business (with sound legal contracts)
- You feel a contract has been broken
- You want to dissolve a business
- You want to buy a business
- You’re considering declaring bankruptcy
- Someone owes you a significant sum of money
- You’ve been arrested
- You need assistance with Medicaid/Medical Assistance/Title IXX planning
- Your family member is entering a long-term care facility or nursing home
- You need an annulment
- You are legally separating
- You want a divorce
- You have been served with divorce papers
- You need assistance with a child custody issue
- You are contesting child support
- You want to apply for child support
- You don’t feel your parent or family member is being cared for
- Your parent or family member’s assets are not being used as they directed
- Your parent or family member has died without a will
- You want to contest a will
- You are an executor of a will
- You are being sued
- You don’t want to be sued
- Your workers compensation claim was denied
- You want to be declared a guardian
- Your driver’s license could be taken away, suspended, or revoked
- You want to buy a home or property
- You have been hurt by a defective product
- You need guidance with establishing or altering bylaws of a non-profit
- You want to buy a farm
- You want to sell a farm
- You want to set or alter visitation rights
- You want to terminate someone’s parental rights
- You have been charged with Driving Under Intoxication (DUI)
- You have a ticket and want to try to keep your commercial driving license
- You got a traffic ticket and want to resolve the matter
- You need assistance with a commercial lease
- You are leasing farmland
- You…there are numerous reasons to consult an attorney, and most lawyers offer a initial consultation. If you feel you need a lawyer, don’t hesitate to call and ask questions—even if you think you may need legal assistance.
