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In some cases, you obviously need to find an attorney, but more times than not, it’s a genuine question as to whether you do, as many people are able to settle their disputes civilly or out of court, without any need for outside help.
No matter how small the case, though, asking yourself whether or not you need to find an attorney is still worth doing, especially when the case involves divorce, child custody, and/or even domestic violence.
To help you decide whether or not you should find an attorney, here are a few considerations you need to take into account.
What’s at Stake in the Case?
One of the most important things to consider is what’s at stake. If your freedom, safety, children, or finances are on the line, then you more than likely need to find an attorney. However, if you have a speeding ticket, and the only thing that’s on the line is a few points on your license and the fee, then you might consider opting to represent yourself if you don’t want to find a lawyer to represent you.
Can the Case Be Solved in an Alternative Way?
Depending on the dispute, increasingly popular litigation alternatives such as mediation can be used in cases where the individuals agree to resolve things outside of court. Mediation allows two people to negotiate with each other through a mediator, helping the two decide on an agreement that’s fair to each. Many couples like to find an attorney to act as a mediator because it saves time, money, and heartache.
How Complicated Is the Case?
Some cases are black and white, and others are muddled shades of gray. You may want to find an attorney simply because of how many issues there are in your case, and how complicated the situation is. Say for example that your case is one of the two divorces that happen every minute in the United States, and you’re one of the 29% of fathers who want primary custody of their children. You want to receive a support award, but know that only 29.6% of custodial fathers receive one as opposed to the 79.6% of women who do. Since your case is rather tricky, you may want to a divorce attorney.
If your case has a lot at stake, is complicated, or cannot be solved outside of court — as many family law cases are — then you may want to seek out legal counsel. If you have any questions about finding a divorce lawyer, finding a child custody attorney, or finding a domestic violence attorney, feel free to ask in the comments.
