An Attorney is Not Only for Criminals

There are certain things about the legal system that most people can understand and handle without the help of an attorney. However, it is more common that one will need a good lawyer for even the most basic things. Navigating the legal system typically requires a fair amount of paperwork and procedures that most people simply do not have the time or patience to handle on their own.

An attorney can handle everything from drafting a will, to the more complicated criminal case. Unfortunately, most people are under the impression that hiring a lawyer is an unnecessary expense, and will choose to handle certain legal issues on their own in an attempt to save money. Writing a will is one such situation. A will, or declaration, is a legal contract that outlines the disposition of one's property or estate in the event of their death. While this sounds simple, and can in fact be completed without a lawyer, there are certain pitfalls to attempting to complete the document without an attorney. First, the document must include specific language and meet certain requirements to avoid invalidating the will. Additionally, the witnesses to the document must have no interest in its contents. With these requirements, it is easier to have an attorney to help avoid any technical errors that will invalidate the will. In the event of the property owner's death, the attorney will also help with the probate proceedings, which are legal proceedings to determine if the document satisfies all legal requirements.

Family court is another area of law that might sometimes require the help of an attorney. Divorce and child custody proceedings are especially sensitive because the outcome is dependent on having good legal counsel. For divorcing couples, the majority of the lawyer's job will involve negotiations with the opposing counsel in order to come to a fair agreement on the division of property. This is also true for child custody cases in which the couple must come to a fair agreement regarding visitation and child support payments.

Hiring an attorney isn't always reserved for legal issues involving criminal cases. There are many areas of law that do not always involve court proceedings, and most people believe that this is the only time in which a lawyer is absolutely necessary. However, legal filings and proceedings for property ownership, child custody, and bankruptcy are just a few areas in which having the legal expertise of an attorney can provide the best outcome.