Who needs an attorney? Most likely it is you. You are looking for advice about a legal problem. This is likely why you are reading this page. In some cases, you may be able to solve your problem yourself --- given sufficient time, effort, and prior knowledge.

Whether or not to hire an attorney may be one of most difficult question to answer. When my clients feel that they have foolishly stumbled into a legal problem, I have often told them in consolation that one often has to be a lawyer before they would know when to hire a lawyer.

We all want to save money and attorneys cost money (though it is often less than people expect). Legal difficulties are not like medical problems or mechanical problems with your car. People often make serious legal mistakes without knowing it. The legal problems may arise years later. Some people prepare their own forms from a kit without actually knowing the law behind the forms and without actually knowing that the forms are effective in the state that they live in. I have seen many forms from internet firms that cannot be used in South Carolina or that are incomplete. If this happens to you, you may have no recourse against the internet company even if it is still on the web in six months.

The laws are enacted by the legislature and are complicated. Even though you and I may disagree with the laws, the laws must be followed or people suffer the consequences. If people do not take the appropriate precautions, they cannot blame the law. Remember that ignorance of the law is almost never an adequate defense. You will be punished or suffer the consequences for failing to follow the law no matter how obscure the law is and whether or not you feel you were adequately notified of the law.

In most case, we meet with clients in the initial interview for free. This gives me the opportunity to decide whether I can help the prospective client, and it gives you the opportunity to see if you want to hire my services. Even if you do not hire the attorney that you meet with you will almost certainly know more than before you spoke with him or her.