You need a lawyer when the judgment of a lawyer will be of assistance to you in making decisions that have legal implications. In this era of free material available to allegedly assist you in drafting a will or preparing a contract, many people forget the true value that a lawyer brings to a situation – the lawyer's judgment and experience. In our judgment this is what you are paying for.

Lawyers can be an invaluable resource when you are faced with a situation about which you require advice and judgment. If you have been terminated from your employment or have been the victim of a breach of a contract, you would be well advised to seek professional advice about how to proceed.  Likewise, if you have been in an accident or have been wronged by another, a lawyer can discuss the critical issues with you and offer practical assistance.

Another area of the law about which individuals often have limited understanding of their rights is in the area of family or divorce law. Frequently parties who have limited knowledge misunderstand issues around pensions, 401(k) plans and child custody, visitation and the support guidelines. Lawyers can effectively advise you of your rights and on how to handle these issues and others.

Many individuals have, as the result of years of effort, accumulated significant assets. The choices you make regarding the arrangements and vehicles to pass on your assets to future generations are very important.  These decisions can have a significant effect on the ease with which your heirs will inherit your hard-earned assets as well as the amount of taxes the estate may have to pay. The making and reviewing of these decisions is but one example of how a lawyer can be of assistance to you. Although a software program may include an acceptable form, it is less likely to question poor judgment or an inappropriate approach to your particular situation than a lawyer.

As is the case with good health care, the most effective lawyering is often preventive. Whether it is the careful drafting of a contract that foresees and addresses potential future problems or the giving of proper advice to a family-held corporation about generational transfers, this type of legal counsel can prevent long and difficult litigation cases.

People often come to lawyers in times of great crisis and grief. Faced with divorce and the issues raised by it, people seek out an attorney for accurate legal information tailored to fit their particular situation.   Victims of serious personal injury actions seek legal counsel to assist them in the difficult and time-consuming process of dealing with compensation for their injuries, either through the insurance companies’ policies or through alternate avenues of recovery. Lawyers offer their judgment based on their experience with prior cases, the applicable law and the courts. This is experience that the average citizen simply does not have and information that can never be found in a book.

You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that lawyers can provide assistance to you and answers to your questions for a reasonable fee. Attorneys at Hamblett & Kerrigan are encouraged to offer practical, simple advice when possible for limited fees. Please consider utilizing our services and thank you for your interest.