There are many different kinds of practicing attorneys, and while most people hope not to require their services, knowing what they do and how valuable their services can be is beneficial for anyone. Lawyers aren’t always needed for the big court cases you see in movies and TV, and they aren’t just for defense and lawsuits either. Sometimes you may just need to speak to an attorney for legal advice; many will give a free consultation. You may need a lawyer to help you with filing paperwork that’s either too complex or too cumbersome to handle yourself. Lawyers can also help you negotiate settlements outside of court, which can be incredibly useful. These are some of the most frequently hired lawyers that you may need in your lifetime.
Estate/Probate Attorneys
Managing one’s estate is one of the most common reasons people hire a lawyer. As you advance in years, it can become more difficult to keep track of your assets and secure your financial future, so it can be worthwhile to get help from an estate attorney. An estate attorney can also help you ensure your belongings go where you intend them to go after your passing. This is hardly a guarantee if your assets go through the standard state processing.
Probate attorneys are also a great help to executors and beneficiaries of an estate to help settle the last affairs of the deceased. This includes collecting and distributing assets, assistance with taxes, and selling real estate property.
Financial Attorneys
People frequently hire attorneys to help them with business or personal finance issues. It’s great to have attorneys draw up contracts for business agreements to ensure all details are legally accounted for. These lawyers can also help settle disputes with finances or business agreements when they arise.
Businesses dealing in financial securities are wise to retain a FINRA arbitration lawyer for FINRA investigations and defense. Consequences from these investigations can range from firings to permanent barring from the industry, so it’s important to have the best representation possible.
Criminal Defense Lawyers
Naturally, if you’re charged with a crime, you’ll need a reliable defense attorney on your side. These can be appointed by the court, or you can hire your own lawyer. Whether you’re charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, criminal charges can have long-term consequences, and you’ll need a lawyer to have a chance at disproving the charges or receiving a lighter sentence. If you hire your own attorney, you’ll have an advantage in that a private attorney can spend more time on your specific case.
Family Lawyers
Family law can become extremely complicated, and there are lawyers who specialize in issues like divorce, custody, child support, and adoption. Divorce is one of the most common reasons to hire a family lawyer, especially when there are children involved or assets to divide between the parties. Family lawyers are also great to have during the adoption process to oversee fair terms between yourself and the birth parents and to ensure you and your child are legally protected.
Personal Injury Attorneys
Injury attorneys are often hired to deal with civil cases where there wasn’t necessarily a crime, but an accident or negligence led to a person being hurt. If you’re injured at work, in a car accident, or due to the negligence of a third party, you may have a personal injury claim on your hands. An attorney can make the process much easier, and most injury attorneys work on contingency. This makes them low risk, as you’ll only have to pay them if you win the case.
Lawyers like Howard Fensterman may even represent medical practitioners and facilities if they become involved with medical malpractice cases for injuring a patient. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you receive compensation for your medical bills and other expenses following an injury from any source outside your own negligent actions.