Studies show that many people are caught up every year in situations that could result in a court case. However, because most people don't possess a prepaid legal plan or other prepaid legal service contracts they will not seek legal assistance. In a legal situation your initial consideration ought to be "What are my legal rights?" Unless you understand your legal rights, you may lose income, time, or your property.

There are various events in our life when we have to consult with an attorney. Prior to even examining the questions you may put to any legal| professional and before contracting for their assistance there will be one question it's worthwhile to ask yourself first, "Do I need an attorney?"

It's possible that the current situation you might be dealing with could be resolved without the need for a lawyer and the prudent use of communication and common sense will be able to handle many differences when your first instinct is to open the phone book and search for an attorney.

For example, a situation with a neighbor over a boundary fence, excessive noise or the myriad of problems that arise every now and then with neighbors can be more positively addressed by speaking to your neighbor directly or through a third party such as a mediator.

Other cases that you might address yourself include the small claims procedure in your state that is set up to allow individuals to handle their conflicts without the burden of costly legal bills. Court staffs are usually very useful in answering any questions that you may have and will furnish you with the right forms to fill out and the correct procedure to follow.

A necessary feature you should consider before hiring an attorney is this: the lay litigant, that is the ordinary person without legal representation, in my experience, almost always gets a good deal from the court and the reason for this is the premise on which our laws are constructed.

As you think of the justice system and its laws, a symbol you will always picture are the scales of justice. This represents a balancing of the rights of everyone in a legal dispute on which a judge will pass judgment. Judges are quite conscious of the need to make sure that when faced with a choice that they really are keeping those scales balanced. Whenever a judge is faced with a lay litigant on the one hand and an experienced legal professional on the other side of the dispute the judge will always ensure that the scales are kept in balance by being very helpful and courteous towards the lay litigant to make sure that his rights aren't trodden underfoot by a polished, experienced lawyer.

For that reason you could think about representing yourself in minor matters and where the cost of hiring an attorney is prohibitive or where you may simply lacking in financial resources. Nevertheless you should think long and hard prior to acting as your own attorney because it can prove extremely costly in the end.