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DO I REALLY NEED A LAWYER?

6/29/2020

18 Comments

 
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Do I really need a lawyer? Couldn't I just do this myself? I mean, I watch a lot of Law and Order. It can't be that hard, with the assistance of a google search-bar. These are all thoughts that cross the minds of many people when considering whether or not they need a lawyer. Many times the question of whether or not a person really needs a lawyer is crossing their mind due to finances. Sometimes, people might truly assume they'll be fine without one. And sometimes you may not actually need a lawyer. This post will provide some guidance on things to consider when making this very important decision, resources for legal help if you can't afford an attorney, and resources for times when you might be going at it alone.
 
Deciding if you need a lawyer:
  1. Consider calling around or doing a quick google search and finding lawyers who offer free consultations. It never hurts to set up a free consult, meet with the attorney, and decide if you need assistance or if you can go at it alone. Many lawyers offer free consults, and will provide 30+ minutes of time to make this important decision. 
  2. If you are facing criminal charges, the general rule is yes, you need a lawyer. Criminal charges are important, and come with serious collateral consequences that are often overlooked. If you find yourself looking at a criminal charge, it is important to know what you are facing, including the consequences that may not be so obvious. 
  3. If you are dealing with other legal issues, think about how much time you have to commit to the issue. Legal work is time-consuming, and can be confusing. If you simply don't have the time or energy, it may be worthwhile to find a lawyer for some help.
Deciding which lawyer to hire:
  1. When you meet with a lawyer, you should feel comfortable talking about personal matters, and feel comfortable with your lawyer's communication. Communication is one of the most important pieces of a lawyer-client relationship, and if you don't communicate well at the first meeting, you probably shouldn't work with each other. This is when the "free consultations" become important. 
  2. Feel free to ask about the lawyer's experiences with your particular issue, inside and outside of the courtroom, and even personal case experience. Most lawyers are happy to share their expertise with you, and let you know whether or not they are comfortable taking on your case. 
  3. Ask around, if possible. If you know others who have used the lawyer, ask about their experience. If you know people who work in the justice system or with the Courts, ask about their experience. 
  4. Consider that lawyers are a personal fit. You should feel comfortable with your lawyer, and confident in the representation, but most importantly, you should trust your lawyer. 
I decided I don't need a lawyer - now what?
  1. If you are going to court, dress like you are going to church. Show the Judge you are taking it seriously, wear your nice clothes, and talk respectfully. Judges want to know that you take all matters in the legal system seriously, and dressing the part is the first step in showing you are serious.
  2. If you are going to file something with the Court, write with professionalism and be courteous to everyone involved. Most people in the Courts and other parts of the legal system are more than willing to help, with a little kindness. 
  3. If you are talking to a Judge, show respect. "Your Honor" is the way to address the Judge, at all times. This shows the Judge that you know the roles of the parties, you have done your homework, and you came to court ready to handle your matter with professionalism. 
Resources:
  1. Check in with lawyers in your community about pro bono work. This means the lawyer would represent you for free. Many lawyers do a certain amount of pro bono cases or hours per year, and yours could be considered. Many lawyers will also consider reduced rates, payment plans, or other affordable options. 
  2. If you have been charged with a crime, and you can't afford an attorney, contact the Office of Public Defense for the State of Montana. Their contact information can be found here: http://publicdefender.mt.gov. 
  3. If you need legal assistance that does not involve being charged with a crime, contact the Montana Legal Services Association. Their contact information can be found here: https://www.mtlsa.org.
  4. If you are looking to represent yourself, but just need some guidance on getting started, the Montana Supreme Court website provides forms for many areas of the law here: https://courts.mt.gov/Forms.

If you have any further questions about legal representation, or representing yourself, please feel free to reach out to our office for additional guidance or a Free Consultation. 

-Jill


18 Comments
Eli Richardson link
2/23/2021 07:46:04 am

It's great that you mentioned it's important to check the past client's reviews of a lawyer before hiring them. One of my uncles wants to file a legal complaint against his son's school. His son has a disability, and in his school, the teachers are not treating him like they should. We all think it's time to file a legal complaint against them, so we want to help him out, and I think this information will help us find the right lawyer for us. Thanks for the tips about what to consider when you're selecting a lawyer to work with.

Reply
Jill
2/23/2021 09:20:34 am

Happy to provide you some guidance, and wish you luck on finding the right lawyer for your family’s needs. Thank you for reading.
- Jill

Reply
Tez link
8/23/2021 04:48:48 pm

You make a great point about finding lawyers that work well with your personality. I need a lawyer who can help my sister divorce her abusive husband. She needs someone who can understand her emotional needs.

Reply
Jill
8/24/2021 07:04:47 am

Thank you for reading! I am glad this information could be helpful to you.

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kate hansen link
8/26/2021 03:05:13 pm

It was helpful when you said to find one that has free consultations. My sister was wanting to learn more about hiring a lawyer for adoption. I'll make sure to pass these tips along to her as she searches for an attorney.

Reply
Chance Cook link
8/30/2021 09:31:52 am

My brother is facing criminal charges. So thanks for clarifying that he needs a lawyer. There is no way he could do it on his own.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
10/7/2021 08:34:29 pm

I do appreciate that this post shared that when looking for an attorney, it is important we keep in mind their qualifications. It makes sense as in doing so, we will be under expert counsel. I will definitely keep this information in mind for future references.

Reply
Best Divorce Attorneys In Orange County link
6/18/2022 11:23:29 am

Most people in the courts and other parts of the legal system are more than willing to help with a little kindness. Thank you, amazing post!

Reply
Divorce Attorney Irvine, Ca link
6/18/2022 12:28:53 pm

Criminal charges are important and come with serious collateral consequences that are often overlooked. Thank you for the beautiful post!

Reply
Henry Killingsworth link
8/3/2022 11:43:00 am

It was interesting when you talked about people need a lawyer if they are facing criminal charges. With that in mind, it seems like it would be a good idea to find a lawyer that has experience with the type of charge you have. An experienced lawyer will do everything in their power to help your case.

Reply
Pearland Washing Machine Repair link
9/12/2022 06:41:40 pm

This was great to reaad

Reply
Tex Hooper link
10/6/2022 05:01:15 pm

You make a great point about how you absolutely need a lawyer if you are facing criminal charges. I'll have to hire a lawyer for my sister Clara. She is being charged with grand theft auto.

Reply
Peter Good link
12/20/2022 07:19:36 am

My comment on "Do I Really Need a Lawyer?" is an emphatic yes. While it may be tempting to try to handle legal matters on your own, especially when armed with information from Law and Order episodes and a google search bar, the reality is that without professional legal advice you could be putting yourself in significant risk.

Reply
Jessie Holloway link
12/28/2022 02:46:23 pm

I love how you point out that talking to a lawyer never hurts your case. My partner's uncle recently got into some legal trouble and he's been looking to find a lawyer to represent his case. We've been looking to help him find the right one that he can work well with the present his best case in court.

Reply
Lisa White link
1/3/2023 09:36:48 am

Overall, whether or not you decide that hiring a lawyer is necessary ultimately comes down to your unique circumstances and personal comfort level when dealing with potentially complicated matters involving the law.

Reply
Tex Hooper link
1/16/2023 04:04:55 pm

Great tip about making sure you are comfortable with your lawyer. My current lawyer makes me feel a little judged. I'll have to consider getting a divorce attorney act as a reliable replacement.

Reply
Thomas Clarence link
2/13/2023 02:27:34 pm

I found it interesting when you talked about how many lawyers offer free consultations. My brother is wanting to find a social security disability attorney to work with because he sustained an injury that made it so that he can't work. My brother is tight on money right now, so he will definitely need to look for lawyers that offer free consultations.

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Iris Smith link
3/13/2023 10:18:52 pm

I appreciate you saying to question people you know who have used a lawyer about their experience. My friend has been caught driving while intoxicated. I'll advise her to get a criminal defense lawyer with experience handling drunk driving cases.

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