Throughout the years, different life events arise and suddenly come up that are either unexpected or in some cases, like a divorce, planned in advance. The downside is that with most of these instances, it can be difficult or impossible to handle certain circumstances on your own without some sound legal advice. The problem is not all attorneys deal with multiple legal issues. Each attorney has a specialty practice and most of the attorneys in that firm also carry the same or similar specialty. So what type of attorney do you need and for what situation? Here are just a few types and what you might need to hire them for at different time throughout life.
sourceMedical Mishaps
Throughout the years, you more than likely will have to face a surgery at some point or have a close family member who needs to go under the knife. While most surgeries and procedures go perfectly according to plan, some don’t. If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, it’s time to call a lawyer that specializes in malpractice. This type of lawyer’s expertise includes analyzing medical records, examining a doctor’s prior surgical history and gathering information to build a case. This can be challenging because most surgeons and doctors have an impeccable legal team and rock solid malpractice insurance, making it very challenging to win a case. If you’ve been injured by someone in the medical profession, you should seek a reputable lawyer in the immediate area. For instance, someone on the receiving end of malpractice occurring at Montefiore Medical Center will want a Bronx personal injury lawyer on their side, whereas a former patient of Columbus Medical Center will probably want a lawyer based in central Ohio. This ensures your case has the best chance, as local law firms are more experienced with the local courts, hospitals, and state laws.
Criminal Attorney
Some older teens and young adults love to party, especially when they are in college. If you’ve found yourself in the unfortunate situation where you’ve gotten a DUI or possession of a controlled substance, you’ll most likely find yourself arrested, especially if you were pulled over by the police. Jail is the next stop and your first phone call should be to a lawyer who will work hard at getting you out of jail as quickly as possible. Criminal lawyers that specialize in minor in possession or drunk driving cases are aggressive attorneys that know how to approach the judge’s bench with confidence. They will quickly analyze your situation, look at your past criminal record and try very hard to negotiate the terms of your charge to get it reduced or plead down to a lower crime or eradicate it all together. Hiring a criminal attorney with a solid background in taking on the charges you’re facing is the best bet at getting past this troublesome situation.
Divorce and Custody
As you get past the wild stages in your teens and early 20s, you’re probably thinking it’s time to settle down and start a family. While everyone hopes that their marriage will end up a forever fairy tale, many do not. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that over 800,000 marriages end in divorce annually. It’s unfortunate for everyone involved, including children. If you’re faced with filing for a divorce, or your spouse wants one, this is when it’s time to seek legal counsel and hire a good divorce and child custody attorney. Their main goal is to make sure you’re fairly awarded what’s yours as you finalize your divorce. A divorce attorney is masterful at the art of negotiation and makes suggestions for a peaceful resolution. But a good attorney will fight for you and guide you through the legal process as you attend Friend of the Court hearings, child custody hearings and the final hearings in the divorce case. Find someone you feel comfortable with and will go the extra mile for you to help you get what you want out of your divorce and child custody situation.
Wills and Estates
Toward middle age and the golden years as well, is a good time to reflect on protecting all that you’ve worked for over the years. Meeting with a probate attorney or legal office who can go over your assets, financial records and designate how you want your estate to be divided when you pass away is important. A lawyer that will draw up a fair and detailed will and explain to you how everything will be carried out is important. Don’t wait until you’re unable to make decisions about your financial future or estate, draw up legal documents now so they are in place for the rest of your life and thereafter.
There are several different times in your life when you need a good attorney. Choose one that fits your needs and your budget.
