When To Call a Lawyer

Natalie Fraser for The Lawyers Weekly

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Lawyers give expert advice regarding legal issues and the law. Using their training and experience, they help people deal with the complexities of the legal system. By consulting a lawyer, people protect themselves from expensive and devastating errors that can result from a lack of professional advice. While some legal problems don’t require a lawyer’s assistance - for example, most people who get a parking ticket simply pay the fine - most legal issues have a major impact on people’s lives, making a lawyer’s advice essential. Anyone charged with a crime or sued for a large amount of money needs to consult a lawyer in order to resolve the problem with the least serious repercussions. A lawyer’s advice regarding business and real estate transactions ensures compliance with government regulations.

By consulting a lawyer in matters such as separation and divorce, or wills and estates, people receive peace of mind in knowing that nothing has been overlooked. Using a kit to write a will instead of consulting a lawyer may seem like a bargain, but not when compared with the risk of leaving loved ones insufficiently provided for because of complexities not addressed by the kit.

Lawyers use their knowledge and experience to protect their clients’ interests and to ensure their clients effectively solve their legal problems.

Alternatives To Hiring A Lawyer

Trying alternatives before hiring a lawyer may assist in resolving some types of legal problems. For example, after buying a defective product, contacting the salesperson who sold it or the owner of the business from which it was purchased to discuss the problem may bring an offer of compensation. Contacting the customer service department of the business may also assist in resolving the issue. Most businesses recognize the value of a satisfied customer, motivating them to resolve problems before they escalate.

Provincial or federal consumer agencies provide another route for dissatisfied consumers to try. These agencies assist people who wish to file a complaint against a business, and often offer their services through the Internet. As well, community organizations such as associations for the elderly or ratepayers associations can often provide their members with useful resources in resolving legal disputes.

Alternate dispute resolution (ADR) offers another option to resolve legal disputes, as opposed to bringing a court action. Mediation, one kind of ADR, involves hiring a neutral third party who facilitates communications between the disputing parties in order to find a solution satisfactory to both. ADR can encourage creative problem solving and avoid the intensity and expense of litigation.

Although other options can bring positive results, a consultation with a lawyer provides the safest route to resolving serious legal issues.

Limitation Periods

Legal deadlines called limitation periods present a major reason to consult a lawyer quickly regarding serious legal issues. Limitation periods place time limits on filing a lawsuit. For example, legislation may require a party who has suffered property damage due to a municipality’s negligence to notify the municipality of the damage within two weeks. Without notification within the two week time period, the party loses the right to sue the municipality.

Limitation periods vary greatly based on the facts and type of legal action involved, and even vary from province to province. Consulting a lawyer quickly ensures limitation periods aren’t missed and allows clients to preserve essential legal rights.

Natalie Fraser practised law in Whitby, Ontario for seventeen years and is now a freelance legal writer. She often writes for The Lawyers Weekly.