It’s no secret that hiring a lawyer is expensive, so a proper lawyer may be out of reach for some people. This doesn’t even include court fees and other expenses. For many people, the costs incurred from legal issues can often lead to financial ruin. While most legal issues are pricey, there are few resources that can assist you in paying fees and legal expenses. If you find yourself in legal trouble and are trying not to break the bank, keep reading for a little advice to help you salvage your financial future and resolve your legal problems.
Legal Aid
Legal aid is any free or discounted legal services available to those who need it. You can usually find legal clinics funded by Legal Services Corporation grants. These services are free for those who qualify. Research online and at your local courthouse to see if you can find any lawyers offering legal aid who could help you. Depending on a clinic’s qualification standards, you might need to shop around before finding someone who can help you.
Legal Clinics
If you need some legal help, but don’t necessarily need a lawyer to represent you in court, check out free legal clinics. Lawyers at these self-help clinics can help you fill out paperwork and answer other legal questions. This may be a good place to start for your legal needs, especially if your legal problems are limited, or on a smaller scale. Many people pay a lawyer for legal advice when there are many resources that can provide help for free.
Insurance
Sometimes, liability or umbrella insurance will cover lawyer costs. Depending on what you’re going to court for, you may be able to use this insurance for legal counsel. Talk to your insurance provider, and even sit down with an agent to get a better idea of what types of legal circumstances your insurance covers.
Union
Unions are happy to help with work-related legal issues. If you are working on a personal injury case, harassment case, or other work issue, talk to your union. They may be able to provide legal representation at little or no cost to you.
Contingency Fee
Some lawyers will work for a contingency fee, meaning you only pay them if you win a settlement in court. You usually are responsible for legal fees, and then your lawyer will charge about 20-40% of your settlement. If you can’t afford a lawyer up front, but think you have a good case that would include a cash payment, talk to your lawyer about working for a contingency fee.
Pay Attention to Billing
No matter what you decide to do, make sure you ask lots of questions about your billing. Many times, people agree on a flat fee with their lawyer that they can afford, but then don’t take into account court fees or overhead costs. Ask your lawyer what you will need to pay for in addition to his or her fee. Make sure you know what everything will cost you before you get started, and you can be financially responsible while resolving your legal troubles.
Legal difficulties don’t have to break the bank. When you think outside the box and use the resources readily available to you, you’ll find a way to pay without ending up in serious debt (or worse.) Do research about legal help in your area—there might be a viable option that you never knew you had. The information for this article was provided by Rod Gregory, a criminal Lawyer in Edmonton.
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