Finding yourself in need of a lawyer can be a scary prospect, for many different reasons. The uncertainty of the outcome, the potential impact on your future, the stigma of having been involved in a legal proceeding, on either side… and of course, the all-pervading worry about the bill when everything is said and done. If you are hesitant to seek legal advice or representation because you don’t think you can afford it, here are some options you should know.
- On the Internet.%3Cbr%3EYou can find a number of sites that offer free legal help online. These forums are staffed and moderated by attorneys and lawyers who give sensible, easy-to-understand answers to frequently-asked questions from everyday people like you. Online legal help can be a great place to start if you’re not sure whether or not you have reason to seek out a lawyer in the first place.
- In the Community.%3Cbr%3EA growing number of towns, cities, and states are providing community legal services aimed at serving the economically underprivileged. These organizations are able to operate through grants, legal trust funds, donations, and a veritable army of volunteer workers, to offer representation and litigation advice for free to those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it.
- In the Lawyers’ Offices.%3Cbr%3EMany law firms offer free attorney consultations. This serves not only the potential client, who may be unsure how a lawyer could really help them in their situation, but also the attorneys themselves, who can inform a potential client as to the extent of the expected proceedings and project an estimated cost. Knowing the facts up front makes the decision easier for everyone involved, and help to avoid difficult situations down the road.
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Legal matters are serious affairs, and require serious and professional help. Get all the facts you can before you take action, whether it’s through free legal help online or in person with an attorney, and take some of the uncertainty out of an already difficult situation.