Most people are aware that it is a good idea to hire a lawyer when faced with criminal charges. However, the same individuals may decide to take a do-it-yourself approach to many everyday non-criminal legal issues.
Self-help approaches to civil law cases, even those that seem straightforward, can often backfire. Laypeople just don’t have enough knowledge of the law, or the court system, to represent their own interests effectively. Below are five common areas of civil law in which the counsel of a civil litigation lawyer is essential.
Divorce
While many divorces are relatively straightforward, they can still be traumatic. Emotions often run high, and most individuals need time to recover financially after their marriage ends. Obtaining a fair settlement that incorporates property division, alimony and child custody can be difficult for spouses to accomplish on their own. You can protect your interests, and those of your children, by working with an experienced family law attorney.
Real Estate Purchases
Buying a home or other property is a significant investment. Unlike real estate agents, who work on commission, lawyers, such as those at Hart Law Offices, PC, are obligated to look out for your best interests in a transaction. Real estate contracts can be complicated, and an attorney can review its terms to ensure that you are protected.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can have a devastating impact on patients, and sometimes the effects of a doctor’s mistakes or incompetence aren’t fully experienced until years later. An attorney can review your case and help you receive compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other consequences of malpractice.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
In an ideal world, both landlords and tenants would live up to the terms of their leases or rental agreements. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Landlords can be stuck with deadbeat or disruptive tenants who refuse to move out. Tenants can end up living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions due to landlord neglect. A civil litigation lawyer can represent your interests in such disputes.
Personal Injuries
As with medical malpractice, injuries sustained at work, while in traffic or in a place of business can affect just about every area of your life. While it may be tempting to simply sign a release form and accept whatever financial settlement is offered to you, hiring a lawyer to review your case and represent your interests can help ensure that you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Nobody likes having to go to court or seek legal redress against another person or company. Sometimes, however, it becomes necessary to do so, particularly if your well-being is at stake. Make sure that you protect yourself by seeking competent legal advice and representation before taking action.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
