Five Times It’s Worth The Expense To Hire A Lawyer

by Maryam Shaikh Blogger by Passion

We’re all crunching numbers these days, with inflation rates soaring. From gas to groceries, our daily expenses are quickly outpacing our salary increases. It’s reasonable then to find yourself asking where you can save yourself a bit of cash.

Getting professional legal advice is one of those notoriously expensive-sounding things that you might think you can avoid paying for, but we took a deeper look to find out when hiring the best lawyer Edmonton should be a priority. The law is complex and overwhelming, and if you find yourself facing legal trouble, failing to seek representation from a skilled lawyer might actually cost you significantly more in the long run.

Sure, you could opt to use a will kit and avoid some unnecessary expenses, but if you find yourself in one of these five situations, make sure you get professional legal advice. If you really can’t afford it, take the time to look for options through legal aid. Here’s when we highly recommend you splurge on legal support:

1. You’re starting your own business.

Starting your own business is an exciting time, but there’s also a lot of work involved. Getting legal advice on your first steps can prevent you from making mistakes or omissions that could prove costly later on.

Whether it’s structuring the business, determining how you’ll be paid, or capitalizing on tax incentives, lawyers can help you formulate a plan and refine your business strategies to position you for success. Will you incorporate, create a partnership, or operate as a professional corporation? You may need to register and licence your business and you’ll certainly want to ensure that you meet all employment standards. Additionally, you might require advice on insurance, share certificates, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate organizational documents.

Even if you resort to cost-cutting by using online templates, seeking legal advice can help you understand the terms to which you are agreeing. It’s a good idea to keep a small legal budget at all times as a business owner. You can always opt to use a consultation to prioritize your needs and focus your available funds on specific issues.

2. You’re dealing with family law issues and your ex has representation.

A lot of family law cases involve litigants without lawyers, and there’s actually an upward trend of self-representation in family law. However, if you’re dealing with particularly complex issues or facing a battle with an ex who has retained a lawyer, getting legal advice might be in your best interest in order to avoid an unfavourable outcome.

A lawyer can help you navigate the confusing terminology and jargon and provide you with a strong advocate if you’re forced to go to court. In this case, being self-represented could actually end up being very costly. You’ll be held to the same standard as professional lawyers and could end up being forced to pay the legal bill of your opposing party, negating any savings in opting out of legal representation yourself.

Additionally, especially in contentious family law files, emotions are heightened and can impact your objectivity. In these cases, having an objective professional perspective may lead to better outcomes.

3. You’re facing a criminal charge.

While you may never expect to be in this position, there were more than 2 million police-reported Criminal Code incidents in 2021. If you’ve been charged with an offence, it’s essential that you seek legal advice to protect your rights.

You may be familiar with your right to remain silent. Having a lawyer represent you as soon as possible in the proceedings will ensure that you do not share information unnecessarily that could undermine your case. Criminal lawyers Edmonton are skilled at holding the Crown responsible for proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They can advocate from the moment of your arrest, through the bail proceedings that determine whether you’ll be held or released into the community, and during the trial process. They’re experts at presenting evidence and calling witnesses to put forth a strong case in your defence.

Even a simple DUI can impact your life enormously, particularly if it involves injury or loss of life. A skilled lawyer may be able to help.

4. You’ve suffered a personal injury.

If you’ve been injured, you might be able to hold a negligent party accountable. A personal injury lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve so that you can get your life back on track after an accident.

You may require financial support for you and your family to survive, especially if you’re unable to work. Personal injury lawyers offer skilled support to seek an equitable resolution and can advocate for disability rights.

You may require help making an insurance claim or understanding your options if you’re denied. In both cases, personal injury lawyers are skilled at providing compassionate advice to help you get the compensation or settlement you deserve. Often, consultations are free and will give you an opportunity to understand your options, ask questions, and take the first step in having your lawyer manage the stress of your personal injury claim so that you can focus on your health and your family.

5. Your will or power of attorney arrangement is complex.

Will kits are widely available these days and offer an attractive alternative to paying for legal advice. In some cases, they may be a suitable option, but if your will is complicated or if you’re not disciplined enough to complete the process unassisted, it’s essential that you get good advice on this vital legal document.

Having a will allows you to make decisions about what will happen to your assets after you die. It alleviates the stress on your loved ones, who may otherwise be forced to deal with your estate during a time of immense grief. Additionally, if you have dependents, making an emergency plan for their care and financial security through your will can give you peace of mind that they will be cared for should you die unexpectedly.

An estate lawyer will ensure that you comply with applicable laws and provide you with a will that’s error-free and avoids ambiguities that may otherwise lead to unfortunate legal battles. It’s especially important to seek legal advice on your will if it involves any complexities, like creating a trust, disinheriting a spouse, or any international issues. A lawyer may even save you money by employing creative strategies to reduce your tax burden and probate fees.

Only about half of Canadians have a will (and fewer than 25% of younger adults do), which means that courts will have to use provincial laws to distribute assets, appoint an executor, and name guardians for any minors. Retain control over your estate and ensure that your wishes are followed by getting legal advice on this important legal document.

You might also want to consider seeking advice on a Power of Attorney. This legal document can give someone else the power to perform general or specific acts in relation to the care of your person or property. Although you don’t require a lawyer to create a Power of Attorney, this isn’t an area where you’ll want to make errors, and particularly if you have complex wishes, legal advice might be worth it.

Ultimately, the job of a lawyer is to protect and advocate for your rights and interests. While their fees may at times seem expensive, there are definitely instances in which professional legal advice can be invaluable. If you find yourself in one of these five situations, or any other predicament in which you feel you’ll benefit from legal advice, find out how a lawyer can help by booking a consultation.