It’s no secret that lawyers are expensive. Some lawyers charge you upfront fees, others opt for contingency fees once you win your case – and the numbers in both options can skyrocket faster than you can say “lawyer”. So is it really worth it to hire a lawyer, or should you just represent yourself and settle matters on your own? The fact of the matter is that it’s not a simple yes or no question. It all comes back to your case. Let’s dig a bit deeper to understand the answer.
When Lawyers are Most Needed
Here are some of the legal matters that you can’t settle without a lawyer:
1. Criminal Charges
When it comes to criminal law, you just can’t risk it. You’ll definitely need to call upon the expertise of a lawyer to study your case, craft the best-case scenario, and represent you in court. The right lawyer will either be able to nullify your charges completely or minimize the damage as much as possible.
2. Complicated Divorce
Unfortunately, most divorce cases are anything but simple. The complexity of the divorce depends largely on both parties and how they are with each other, and it’s rare to find a civilized divorce where the couples don’t hate each other. To make sure your rights are preserved and you suffer huge financial losses. It’s best to let an attorney represent you.
3. Estate
Estate planning and the process of inheritance can get quite complicated. If you’re in the process of estate planning, it’s crucial to get the help of a lawyer who makes sure all your affairs are in proper order. The same goes for the inheritance process, especially if there are significant family conflicts over the will and/or assets.
4. Personal Injury
Personal injury is a wide branch of law that includes many cases. As the experts at Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers point out, the right lawyer will lend you their accumulated years of expertise, attention, and care. They’ll have your back in auto accidents, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, wrongful deaths, and all other forms of personal injury.
5. Complex Business Matters
What kind of legal structure should you follow? What kinds of insurance are crucial and what aren’t? How do you deal with a lawsuit from clients or employees? All of these issues are complicated and they need the presence of a lawyer to protect you against any liabilities.
6. You’re Overwhelmed
As a rule of thumb, whenever you feel overwhelmed with the legal jargon and can’t make head or tails of your situation, that’s the sign you need for contacting a lawyer. You wouldn’t need a lawyer for getting a speeding ticket, fines, or even if you’re going through a simple divorce. But once you feel lost as to the complexity of the situation and the steps you should take, you should definitely get a lawyer.
To make a long story short, yes, you can represent yourself. The real question is should you represent yourself? In complicated matters, it’s always best to rely on the experience of a qualified lawyer. In simple and obvious cases, there’s no issue with opting to represent yourself.
