5 Times in Your Life To Consult a Lawyer

Nothing stays static: we all age, evolve, and change, and there are times when it’s prudent to seek professional advice. Here are five times in your life when you should consult a lawyer.

Employment Contracts and Disputes

Some employers may present you with an employment contract that spells out how much you’ll be paid, how long you’ll be employed, and the circumstances under which you could be terminated. If you’re asked to sign an employment contract, it’s wise to hire an attorney to look it over before you sign it.

If you think you’ve been the victim of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace, consult an employment lawyer right away. There may be important steps to preserving your claim, and you’ll need advice on the pros and cons of pursuing a legal remedy.

Buying a House

When the sellers accept your offer on a house you love and can afford, it launches a process that may involve several steps before the “closing” where you seal the deal. There will be (usually surprisingly long!) mortgage documents, title searches, title insurance, and a home inspection. Issues may arise that require further negotiation.

An experienced real estate lawyer can help you through the process and make sure all the important paperwork is filed with the relevant county clerk’s office.

Getting Married

You’re probably aware that you’ll need a marriage license, and there will be contracts to sign with your wedding reception venue and caterer. Why else would getting married mean you should talk to a lawyer? Many couples (mistakenly) think that a prenuptial agreement is just for very wealthy people or that it somehow signals a lack of trust, but there are several scenarios where you should seriously consider a prenuptial agreement.

A prenup can define how you’ll treat property and debt during your marriage, establish how you’ll deal with businesses you and your partner own, and spell out how you’ll continue to provide for children from a prior marriage.

Becoming a Parent

Everything changes when you have a child. Consult an estates and trusts lawyer to prepare your will, living trust, and powers of attorney for health care and property. If it should turn out your child has special needs, select an attorney familiar with the laws in your state to establish a trust for the benefit of your child in a way that won’t disqualify them for government benefits to which they may be entitled.

Getting Arrested or Being Sued

We all make mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes break bad and create a situation more dire than you anticipated. Perhaps you’ve been charged with DUI, your neighbor has sued you because they think you’ve encroached on their property, or you’ve been involved in an accident with injuries. When you find yourself entangled with the court system, hire a lawyer to represent you.

These are just five times in your life to consult a lawyer. Once you’ve established a relationship with a lawyer you trust to guide you, you’ll make it through these and other legal issues that arise as life progresses.