3 of the Most Common Reasons People Hire Attorneys

Unfortunately for lawyers, most people don’t look forward to hiring an attorney. In fact, unless you are purchasing a house, you rarely hire a lawyer under happy circumstances. After experiencing something tragic, the last thing we want to do is sift through legal jargon and complicated documents. Of course, that’s what attorneys are for. They help us sort through all the legalities that we may not necessarily be equipped to handle on our own.

But how do you know when the time has come to hire professional legal help? There are several different reasons that people may need to hire an attorney. Here are just a few of the top reasons people like you hire attorneys.

Family Law Issues
Family law covers a wide array of topics, but divorce is the most common. Most divorces require the assistance of two attorneys, one representing each spouse, but lawyers can help with much more than signing the divorce papers themselves. Visitation rights, child custody, child support, and deciding how to divide up the spouses’ property are just some legal issues that need to be taken care of during a divorce case. Adoption, guardianship, and emancipation are other examples of family law cases where an attorney is needed to legally settle a family issue.

Estate Planning
Estate planning involves deciding how your assets will be distributed after your passing, which is often much more complex than people realize. Estate taxes, trusts, and other legal processes must be put into a notarized document, usually with the assistance of an estate attorney. Something like a will, or deciding who will inherit certain assets in case of death, is covered under estate planning. Because everyone will eventually pass away, planning for the future is important for everyone.

Personal Injury
Personal injury cases are one of the most common reasons that people hire an attorney. When an injury or death is caused by the negligence of another person or third party, personal injury lawyers can help victims recover damages that cover medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Construction accidents, workplace injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and drunk driving accidents are all examples of common personal injury cases. It’s important to note that personal injury lawsuits are filed in civil courts, not criminal courts. That being said, a personal injury lawyer can protect your rights following an injury in construction accidents or car accidents.

Today, about 95-96% of personal injury cases are actually settled before a trial begins, and that’s thanks to the help of attorneys. People are guided to come to settlements with the legal advice of their attorney so that a trial is not necessary.

Remember, if you are ever hurt in something like construction accidents, motor vehicle accidents, or need legal advice, contact attorneys for assistance. While the road ahead may be difficult, they can help you protect yourself as you move forward.