7 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer in Tampa Bay

There are dozens of situations we come across in life when we wish we had someone with more professional experience to help. Perhaps you were injured at work, your pet died on someone else’s watch, or you got into a car accident.

Let’s take a look at some examples of when you might want to consider hiring a lawyer in Tampa Bay.

1. Major Car Accidents

While some minor car accidents can be settled amongst the people involved, there are certain circumstances when it may be beneficial to hire a car accident attorney.

Tampa Bay is known for extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain during hurricane season. If you’ve been in an accident, there may be a discrepancy with fault. Only a lawyer can assist with determining fault in these cases.

2. Criminal Defense

There are several legal circumstances where we find ourselves way over our heads. If there is a potential for you to go to jail, you’ll want to hire a lawyer to represent you.

Anything from a DUI, unpaid parking tickets, or even domestic violence are all viable reasons why you’d need help from a professional.

3. Complicated Divorce

As much as we’d love to think that all divorces can be handled gracefully, most often it requires the assistance of a lawyer. Yes, there are options for a dissolution, which is an amicable divorce that does not require a lawyer.

But that’s only if you can both agree upon how all assets will be allocated. If things seem to be getting a little messy or convoluted, hiring an attorney is going to be your best bet.

4. Elder Law

As we get older, there are many monetary factors to consider. Say, for instance, you’re in search of an assisted living facility for yourself or a family member.

Medicare is a complicated process and can impact your other means of income such as pension or social security. It’s important to hire an attorney who specializes in elder law to ensure you have everything from your will to power of attorney legally addressed.

5. The Other Party Has an Attorney

No matter the situation, if the other party involved has hired an attorney, it’s in your best interest to do the same. Trying to represent yourself isn’t going to serve you, and could ultimately have you lose an enormous amount of money and time.

When your opponent is lawyered up, make sure you’re properly equipped by having a qualified lawyer on your team.

6. You Need an Advocate

Lawyers aren’t just legal representatives, they’re an advocate for their clients. If you’ve found yourself in a legal situation where you feel like you need a professional to speak up on your behalf, a lawyer can do just that.

Do your due diligence when searching for the best lawyer. Have a list of questions ready and always find out what their specialties are along with how many cases they’ve won in regards to similar cases as your own. You need an advocate who has a history of success.

7. Legal Contracts

Legally binding contracts should always be looked over by a lawyer. For example, if you’re a landlord and need to create a lease agreement, a lawyer can help draw them up. This is to ensure that both you, your property, and the tenant are protected.

People often try to download free copies of legal documents online. However, there are specific laws, rules, and regulations that need to be addressed depending on the type of document you’re creating.

A lawyer can help alleviate any loopholes the other party may find throughout and ensure your documents meet the legal requirements necessary.

Conclusion

There’s no way around it. Any situation where you require a lawyer isn’t going to be the most pleasant experience. But it’s the job of the lawyer you hire to make it as seamless and easy to understand as possible.

This list is only the beginning when trying to decide when to hire a lawyer. If you’re uncertain, many lawyers offer free consultations to allow you to find out if your circumstances require one.