The bottom line is this: Call us at the outset. A few dollars spent early on could save thousands of dollars later. People often wonder, "When do I need a lawyer?" The initial impulse is to wait and see, but this decision could be cost you dearly. We lawyers do our best work before you have taken any action.
For example, are you thinking about writing your own contract to save money? A well-written contract should be airtight and contain standard legal clauses. If you invest your money at the outset and have a lawyer draft the contract, it could save you thousands of dollars in litigation fees later if the contract falls through. Similarly, are you about to sign a contract? Do you know what all that legalese means? A good legal review before you sign will help you decide whether you really want to agree to the terms the other party has put in front of you. If you don't agree with something in the contract, DON'T SIGN IT! We can't get you out of it later, when things fall apart, if you have already signed on the dotted line. The time to object to terms of a contract is before you sign it, not after. Are you wondering whether what you are about to do is in compliance with the law or an agreement? Don't do it! Instead, talk to an attorney first. If you have already taken action, it is much more difficult and costly to deal with the consequences of your actions if they turn out to violate the law or an agreement. The good news is that any good lawyer will also tell you when you DON'T need a lawyer. For example, a client may call asking whether she needs representation for a speeding ticket. In many jurisdictions, the prosecution will make an initial plea bargain offer at the first appearance. As long as the stakes are low, you can often go to that first appearance without an attorney and take the offer (if it is a good one). But at other times, your driver's license might be at risk from too many points, or the risk of criminal charges may be high, and your attorney may advise you to take counsel with you to the court date. The bottom line is this: Call us at the outset. A few dollars spent early on could save thousands of dollars later.
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GWYN AYERSGwyn Ayers is an attorney in Boulder, Colorado. ArchivesCategories |