I attended a seminar recently where a panel of judges discussed the biggest challenges facing the courts. They all agreed that their biggest problem is pro se litigants, which are people who represent themselves in court without a lawyer. This has been common for quite some time in small claims court where the amount of money involved does not justify the expense of attorney fees. No one wants to pay an attorney $1000.00 to collect $500.00. However, it is occurring more and more in many areas of the law where there is a significant issue at stake and judges feel uncomfortable because it is not their job to act as an attorney and they can't give litigants legal advice when they are in court.
Over the years I have told a number of people that they should handle a legal matter on their own because of the costs involved in hiring a lawyer. However, even then I caution them that there are many pitfalls which they may not anticipate. This becomes even more likely when the stakes increase, from the amount of money involved to losing custody of a child to being punished through a criminal proceeding.
The internet has made all of us experts. We think we can look up anything and understand what needs to be done. You can buy a will online or organize a business for a few bucks. We go to health sites and try to diagnose the aching pain in our gut so we can skip the doctor. However, there are times when a doctor is needed to treat you and there are times when a lawyer is needed to diagnose your problem and tell you how to address it.
Most attorneys will provide an initial consultation free, and if not they will probably charge you an hourly rate for the amount of time they speak with you. I would recommend that if you have a legal matter that is important to you that you take at least this first step with an attorney before proceeding. I have had at least two people call me in the last few months who wanted me to help them with a case they already took to court and lost. That is too late. There is little that can be done once a judge has received evidence and made a decision. I also spoke with a person during that time who had done their own will and had just realized that it did not cover certain assets that had a beneficiary designation. To be safe you should talk to a lawyer.
Over the years I have told a number of people that they should handle a legal matter on their own because of the costs involved in hiring a lawyer. However, even then I caution them that there are many pitfalls which they may not anticipate. This becomes even more likely when the stakes increase, from the amount of money involved to losing custody of a child to being punished through a criminal proceeding.
The internet has made all of us experts. We think we can look up anything and understand what needs to be done. You can buy a will online or organize a business for a few bucks. We go to health sites and try to diagnose the aching pain in our gut so we can skip the doctor. However, there are times when a doctor is needed to treat you and there are times when a lawyer is needed to diagnose your problem and tell you how to address it.
Most attorneys will provide an initial consultation free, and if not they will probably charge you an hourly rate for the amount of time they speak with you. I would recommend that if you have a legal matter that is important to you that you take at least this first step with an attorney before proceeding. I have had at least two people call me in the last few months who wanted me to help them with a case they already took to court and lost. That is too late. There is little that can be done once a judge has received evidence and made a decision. I also spoke with a person during that time who had done their own will and had just realized that it did not cover certain assets that had a beneficiary designation. To be safe you should talk to a lawyer.