You might go for many years without needing a lawyer. However, a time will usually come when you require one. In fact, you’ll probably need an attorney at several times points in your life, assuming you do most of the things that individuals might expect during the average lifespan.
We will talk about a few occasions when you might need an attorney right now. In these instances, you will want legal advice, and only someone with a law degree can advise you.
When You’re Divorcing Your Spouse
If you marry at some point, you probably think it’s for life. Most individuals go into a marriage feeling that they love this person and they will stay with them for all eternity, till death parts them. It’s a nice thought, and it does work out that way sometimes. However, many marriages end in divorce, and that’s just an unfortunate reality.
If you decide you and your spouse can no longer live together, maybe you can split up amicably without so much as a single argument. Once again, though, it doesn’t happen that way very much.
Usually, when you and your spouse decide you’re calling it quits, you have developed strong negative feelings for each other. Maybe you’re having screaming fights, or perhaps you’re giving each other the cold shoulder. Either way, you will both need lawyers.
You must find a divorce attorney. This individual should know all of the divorce-related laws in your state. They can advise you as you go through this complex, costly, and time-consuming process.
When You’re Making Out Your Will
You will also probably need a lawyer when you’re making out your will. Sometimes, you might have a situation where you simply print a will from an online website, write in the details, and sign it. Such sites do exist, and perhaps you feel you don’t want to spend the money to hire a lawyer for a task like this.
However, if you have any assets at all, hiring an attorney makes sense when you think about this chore. Nobody likes thinking about their mortality or preparing for their death, but creating a will matters a great deal, especially if you have a spouse, kids, and other dependents.
The more assets and depends you have, the more complex your will. Perhaps you want an allotment for many individuals in your life. Even if you decide you’ll leave your dog all your money and material possessions, you must ensure you get everything right, and a skilled lawyer can help you in this area.
When You’re Receiving an Inheritance
You may also need a lawyer if you’re getting an inheritance. Maybe you have a parent who dies, and they leave you their house, car, money, or something else.
Perhaps they have something like family jewelry or a boat that they’re leaving you because you’re their favorite child. Maybe you have a more distant relative like a great uncle who leaves you something.
No matter who left you money or property, you need a lawyer who can read you the will and explain any parts of it that don’t seem clear. Different states have various laws that you must follow when someone dies. You’re not an expert and don’t know about these laws, but having a lawyer on hand can help. They can tell you about any inheritance taxes you must legally pay, when you can get your money, where you must sign your name, etc.
When You’re Buying a House
Some people go their whole lives without ever buying a house, but many individuals do it eventually. When it happens for the first time, you’re probably pretty excited. However, you must make sure you do everything by the book. A realtor can help you, but you should also have a lawyer standing by. They will probably have a huge stack of papers for you to sign.
If you’re buying a new house but you’re also selling your old one around the same time, that usually creates even more complications. Your lawyer might tell you about various clauses you can include in the contract, both as a buyer and seller. They can also give you advice about getting homeowner’s insurance, hiring a property inspector, and anything else about the whole process that you might not understand.
When You’re Suing Someone
You will certainly need a lawyer if you involve yourself in a personal injury lawsuit, either as the defendant or the plaintiff. If you sue someone for a personal injury, maybe a doctor harmed you, and you’re bringing a medical malpractice suit against them. Perhaps you slipped and fell while in a commercial building. Maybe you’re suing a drunk driver who hit your vehicle and injured you.
No matter the details, if you sue someone, you will need a lawyer who knows everything about this kind of law. You will probably have many questions, and you need someone who can guide you through this quagmire.
You will want an attorney who has experience with many of these cases. You can check out the lawyer’s credentials by looking at their reviews online. You can also ask whether they’ve handled many cases like yours.
If someone sues you for something they allege that you did, you will want a lawyer then as well. If you’re the plaintiff, you can probably pay your lawyer via a contingency payment plan. If you’re the defendant, though, your lawyer will probably demand payment regardless of the case’s outcome.
Some people will need lawyers during their lives for other reasons. For instance, maybe you’ll need a lawyer if the police say you committed a crime.
You will need criminal defense in such an instance. Perhaps you didn’t actually commit the crime, but whether you did or not, you will need an attorney who can defend you and potentially keep you out of jail.
It’s the rare person who gets through their entire life without needing a lawyer.
