How Lawyers Can Help You Navigate Difficult Situations
Even the most independent person occasionally runs into things that they can’t handle on their own. When it comes to legal manners, this is especially true. While you may feel like hiring a lawyer is a little beyond your ability to pay for, there are some situations where you stand to lose a lot more if you don’t. You can probably handle a traffic ticket on your own, but more difficult situations require help.
Criminal Charges
If you find yourself in a situation where you are facing criminal charges or even the potential of criminal charges, it is time to lawyer up. Honestly, if you’ve waited until you are charged, you may have waited too long. Even if you are innocent, having someone who understands the legal system and all the ins and outs of the law on your side from the beginning is crucial. According to the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, as soon as you are asked to come in for questioning, you need to get a hold of a lawyer. This doesn’t mean you are guilty. This means you are smart. If you are guilty, having a lawyer on your side is still going to have a better outcome than going through the proceedings on your own.
Divorce
Even the most amicable of divorces can be complicated. You aren’t just separating physically from a person, you are splitting a whole life that you have put together with them. If there are children involved, that gets even more complicated with custody arrangements and potential child support. Even if you are using mediation rather than the courts, you should still have a lawyer on hand to help you work through things. Not only will this protect you and your former partner, it will also make sure you don’t miss anything that could make your life difficult. If the divorce becomes heated, it will also protect you from being taken advantage of by your former partner.
Workplace Injuries
If you have the unfortunate experience of getting injured while at work, you may be eligible for worker’s compensation, especially if the injury prevents you from continuing to do your job. While this sounds nice in theory, businesses and their insurance companies don’t really want to pay workers’ compensation most of the time. In fact, the process can be long and difficult. Having a lawyer on your side allows them to handle some of the more complicated negotiations and make sure that you don’t accidentally get your case thrown out. According to Bruscato Law, it’s important that you keep a detailed record of everything to help your case. Your lawyer will only know what you tell them, so the more information the better.
Car Accidents
If you have been in a car accident and it was serious enough to get insurance involved, it may be time to get a lawyer as well, especially if you were injured. Insurance companies don’t want to pay out more money than they have to, and sometimes you have to go after them legally in order to get just compensation, especially if you weren’t at fault. If the accident tragically had any fatalities, you also need to talk to a lawyer, regardless of whether you were at fault or not. Those kinds of cases often end up in court. Your lawyer will also be able to handle any complex negotiations on your half, which makes your life easier, especially during your recovery.
Bankruptcy
Financial troubles can be overwhelming. If you reach the point where you are approaching bankruptcy, you need legal advice. Your lawyer may be able to point you in the direction of other choices, if you still have time to recover. Declaring bankruptcy can protect your assets from your creditors and provide you an opportunity to recover. According to Nolo, your lawyer will help you make sure you file for the right kind of bankruptcy and that you don’t miss any important steps. They can even point you in the direction of exemptions you may not be aware of that can protect more of your assets.
Having a lawyer on your side means you have someone with the knowledge and skills to help you get the best out of whatever situation you have ended up in. If you are facing these kinds of challenges, make sure you set yourself up to be protected.
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