When Do You Actually Need a Lawyer? 6 Scenarios Most People Overlook

To some people, going to see a lawyer is a last resort, a step to be taken only when all else fails. You do it when things get nasty or worrying. But here's the thing: a lawyer can help avoid such situations. They can show you what to do and what not to do in certain situations.

The legal world can be seen as a minefield. However, a minefield is only hazardous if you tread incorrectly. What you need is someone who understands where the mines are – and that's precisely what a good lawyer provides: a guide to keep you out of trouble or help you navigate through it if you're already stuck there.

Here are six examples of how a lawyer can save you a world of problems and worries.

Formalising Partnerships

When two or more people go into business together, there is optimism in the air. It may be a combination of strengths, with one the expert in the area the enterprise specialises in and the other taking care of the administration or the financial side. Whatever the blend of talents involved, and regardless of friendships and mutual respect, there may be difficult times ahead, and it is important to have contingency plans so that all concerned are aware of how things may work out and the responsibilities and liabilities. Put these formalities in place while you're still friends, and if the business does run into trouble, animosity can be kept to a minimum.

Embarking on a New Venture

Having an idea for a new business venture can be very exciting, and the tendency is to think of all the great things that could happen. We all focus on the potential for growth and profit, or perhaps the increased ability to help people.

But what if something goes wrong? You may need insurance, and it is certainly something you should look into, making sure you're adequately but not unnecessarily covered.

What about the legal implications of what you're planning? Without wishing to pour cold water over the whole thing, it is better to be aware of potential problems, and anyway, you need a law firm on your team, just as you need an accountant. Discussing the idea with a good law firm at an early stage can be an eye-opener, and it can have positive results as well as prepare you for negative ones. Your lawyer will look at things from the legal perspective and may see possible benefits and opportunities that you hadn't considered. It's worth looking at the venture from all angles.

Avoiding Property Pitfalls

The obvious professional you need when buying or selling property is an estate agent, because they are used to the process and can make sure you go about it the right way. But a realtor is not a lawyer, and there are potential issues they are not aware of. Talking to a good property lawyer can help avoid stumbling into a deal with hidden problems, and with a large amount of money at stake, it pays to have someone keeping an eye on things from your point of view.

Getting Yourself Out of a Jam

Sometimes, even the most conservative, sensible, respectable people find themselves in a situation where they could end up in court. It could be a motoring offence or something financial where you have inadvertently broken the law, and while it may be nothing major, it still raises the possibility of creating a stigma that will be with you till your dying day.

In such a situation, don't just hold your hands up and accept your fate. A skilled lawyer may be able to solve the issues using the letter of the law, because that's what law is all about: small print, technicalities and therefore potential loopholes. This isn't cheating, it is using the law to your advantage, perfectly legitimately.

Getting What is Rightfully Yours

While it may not be in your nature to grab what you can out of any deal you find yourself involved in, there is nothing wrong with receiving what you're due. A good lawyer can do that for you in any arena: business matters, family matters, property dealings or anything else. Having a professional relationship with a lawyer means having someone looking out for you with an eye for nuances and incredibly detailed knowledge of what is potentially up for grabs. Just because you're an easy-going type, that doesn't mean the rest of the world is going to treat you fairly, and if someone else has a lawyer looking into an issue that involves you, you need to fight fire with fire.

Often, fairness can be achieved simply by both parties being aware of what is at stake, and if you are in danger of being "ripped off", all it may take is for the other party to be politely informed that you're not going to stand for it. This is not being petty or greedy; it is standing up for yourself, and it comes from having legal expertise on your side.

Taking the Sting Out of Family Breakups

The world is full of love songs about how people are going to live happily ever after, now that they have met this wonderful person. But there are just as many songs that deal with failed relationships. It happens, and it doesn't make you a bad person. It doesn't necessarily make the other person a bad person either. But it can make the two of you adversaries, both intent on achieving "justice", and when other people get involved – friends, relatives or professionals with your best interests at heart – reason can fly out of the window.

Mediation can be the answer. This is a process of discussion aimed at coming to an amicable solution, and it is chaired by a trained mediator. Where will you find such a person? In a law practice, that's where, although in theory anyone can become a mediator, it is a skill requiring a lot of training in addition to a certain kind of character.

That's another time when you need a lawyer.