Most people hope they never have to hire an attorney, but there are times when you must. Don’t let these five common myths about lawyers you should know stop you from hiring a lawyer when you need one.
Myth 1: Lawyers Will Prolong Disputes To Make More Money
All attorneys have an ethical obligation to serve the best interests of their clients. Delaying or prolonging legal proceedings without reason is unethical, and courts look at such behavior very critically.
Some legal disputes last a long time, and at times it’s in the client’s best interest to fight until the last appeal is exhausted. However, in most situations, lawyers will seek a solution that serves their client’s needs without unnecessarily prolonging legal proceedings.
Myth 2: You Don’t Need a Lawyer for a Will, Real Estate Closing, or Uncontested Divorce
Attorneys know things that you don’t, even when you are able to find common legal forms online. Laws are different in every state, and lawyers licensed in your state will know the proper form for legal documents. They can also help you avoid the pitfalls of supposedly “simple” things like wills, buying a house, or getting a divorce.
With wills, trusts, and divorces, division of property can become a contentious issue, even if you don’t expect it to be. Lawyers who specialize in the division of property can guide you toward the best possible result in your individual situation.
Myth 3: An Aggressive Lawyer Is Always the Best Lawyer
Aggressive lawyers can irritate their professional colleagues and judges alike, which isn’t good for their clients. A lawyer should be passionate about your case but also detached enough to remain calm and collected during negotiations and proceedings.
A lawyer should know and assert applicable laws, regulations, and court decisions to make the best argument on behalf of their clients. That said, a lawyer who yells at, accuses, or insults the other side will get no sympathy from the court or their opponent.
Myth 4: Lawyers Spend Most of Their Time in Court
By far, the greatest percentage of a lawyer’s time is spent in the law library doing legal research, not standing up and arguing a case in court. Lawyers must be good communicators, but their primary communication tool is writing. Most civil disputes resolve without going to trial, so the television-induced idea that lawyering is a glamorous pursuit is a myth.
Myth 5: Any Lawyer Can Handle Your Case
In the same way that chefs specialize in certain cuisines and doctors specialize in specific systems of the body, lawyers specialize in different areas of the law. When you need to prepare a will, you go to an estates and trusts lawyer. When someone accuses you of a crime, you go to a criminal defense lawyer. And, in the unfortunate event that your marriage fails, you see a divorce lawyer such as the Chicago divorce lawyer.
Understanding five common myths about lawyers should help you know when to seek legal counsel and what type of lawyer to contact.