When do you need a lawyer's help? Sometimes it's a no-brainer. If you're filing for divorce, hit with a lawsuit, or charged with a crime, you probably need a lawyer — and fast. Other times it's not so obvious. But be advised: You don't have to be involved in a civil or criminal conflict or controversy to benefit from legal counsel. People hire lawyers for advice and expertise all of the time, in all kinds of situations.

Here's the first thing to ask yourself in deciding if you should consult an attorney: 1) "What's at stake?" When your finances or liberties are in serious jeopardy, get legal help. What is serious? An ordinary parking summons is a brush with the law, but you need not consult with an attorney to pay the fine or even to fight it. However, if you've accumulated a hundred unpaid parking tickets and a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you may want to hire a lawyer who can help you best resolve the situation, and perhaps save you money or even keep you out of jail.

You don't have to be in trouble to call a lawyer, and you don't have to be mad at someone or at the end of your financial rope either. In non-adversarial situations, use common sense and a little bit of business savvy in deciding if you might benefit from good advice of counsel.

In good times as well as bad, with a lawyer's help, individuals and businesses understand and secure their legal rights and financial interests. Lawyers help clients with estate planning, business negotiations, strategies and transactions. With good legal advice, clients comply with and swiftly navigate through, the complex mazes of federal and state regulations. And everybody can rest easily after consulting experienced lawyers for important undertakings such as tax and estate planning, drafting wills and trusts, creating business partnerships and adopting children.

It's easy to call a lawyer when you're injured, angry, or threatened. But a lawyer is not just a rainy day advisor. Your counselor at law will help you keep the sun shining on your business and finances. So don't hesitate — proactive! Practice preventive legal planning to improve your quality of life and get a lawyer's advice to avoid conflicts and legal hardship later.

2) What should you consider before you look for a lawyer?

You have a problem and think you want a lawyer to represent you. First, think about if you can resolve the situation to your satisfaction without hiring an attorney. The answer is yes, you can. Many companies and public utilities offer customer service departments that effectively address consumer problems and complaints. If you think you've been ripped off in the marketplace, make a phone call or send a letter or email to the offending party or business before you contact a lawyer. Many state attorney general offices provide consumer protection departments.

If you have a problem with a regulated industry such as banking or insurance, contact the agency in your state responsible for overseeing that industry. Also, many community groups such as elder associations, civil rights groups and other organizations offer free legal help and information. For Union Plus benefits programs, you can also complete a customer feedback form online.

Some disputes may be resolved by using increasingly popular litigation alternatives such as mediation or arbitration. Businesses and individuals might agree to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) rather than court action to resolve legal conflicts.

3) How quickly should you consult a lawyer?

Sometimes you have lots of time to consider your alternatives. In other situations, you need to act fast. If prosecutors have accused you of a crime, or law enforcement authorities are questioning you about your involvement in a serious criminal matter, consult a lawyer immediately. Similarly, if you receive a summons and complaint naming you as a defendant in a lawsuit, don't delay.

Keep in mind that if you've been injured in an accident, there are time limits on your right to file a lawsuit. These "statutes of limitation" vary greatly from state to state and depend upon the fact and type of each case. In some instances the law requires a claimant to notify potential defendants about any injury within an extremely short period of time — as little as a few weeks or months.

In certain cases if you sit on your rights, you could lose them. You might have been angry for years over your neighbor's fence encroaching on part of your property. But if you wait too long without objecting or taking some legal action, the law might give your neighbor the right to leave the fence there permanently.

4) What are you trying to achieve?

This is an easy question to answer if you find yourself a defendant in a civil suit or charged with a crime. In these cases, your goal is to keep your money out of your adversary's pocket, or avoid criminal sanctions. In other situations, your objective may be less clear. If you feel your employer unlawfully fired you, you might want to get your job back. If you suffered an injury from a defective product, you might wish to recover money damages. Before you hire a lawyer, think about what you want to achieve.

Many people decide to sue, expecting to win huge verdicts. But any lawyer will tell you that in litigation, there are few guarantees. Unlike on television or in the news, multi-million dollar verdicts are the exceptions. Be realistic about your chances of winning and what your case is worth.

If you aren't sure what your legal rights are, you can use the Union Plus Legal Service free initial consultation of 30 minutes to retain a lawyer to evaluate your situation and advise you on alternative courses of action. This consultation with an attorney could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

5) What type of lawyer do you need?

Many attorneys specialize in one type of law. Other lawyers handle a wide range of matters. You want to hire an attorney with expertise in your type of case or matter. If your company is going belly-up, consult a bankruptcy lawyer. For advice on estate planning, hire an attorney experienced in estate law.

Knowing a bit about the law will help you become a smarter legal consumer. From agricultural law to zoning and land use — from family law to taxation and more, the Union Plus Legal Service provides the legal contacts you need.

To find a lawyer in your area, union members can complete the online form.

Source: National Resource Center for Consumers of Legal Services.