When do you need a lawyer? 

Almost everything you do in your daily routine involves the law in some way: driving a car, having a job, making a purchase, etc.  But does that mean you need a lawyer every time you have a problem in your day?  Obviously not!  Some problems are not legal and can be resolved with the help of other professionals. 

However, when you do need a lawyer, it’s important to find one that you can feel comfortable with as well as trust to help you in your best interest.  Here are some top reasons you should seek out legal counsel: 

• being arrested for a crime or served with legal papers in a civil lawsuit;

• being involved in a serious accident causing personal injury or property damage;

• a change in family status such as divorce, adoption, or death;

• a change in financial status such as getting or losing valuable personal property or real estate, or filing for bankruptcy.

In a study of Americans over the age of 18, researchers for the American Bar Association found almost half had used a lawyer in the past five years. The most common legal matters taken to lawyers involved:

• real estate transactions (12%)

• drawing up a will (11%)

• as a party to a lawsuit (11%)

• divorce/separation (9%)

• probate/estate settlement matters (6%)

• child support/custody matter (5%)

• draw up an agreement/contact (5%)

Other fairly common matters requiring a lawyer’s help included traffic matters, insurance claims, bankruptcy, auto accidents, and being a complainant or defendant in a criminal proceeding.

Of course, it makes sense to consult with a lawyer anytime you have a question and are not sure whether legal steps are needed. It’s the lawyer’s job to guide you to make the best decisions and ultimately help you throughout your next steps if needed.