Many people go through life thinking they alone can solve their problems independently. And while resilience is a nice trait, the truth is no single individual is always going to be equipped to deal with life’s wide array of curveballs.
With life’s dynamic nature, you’ll at some point need outside help to achieve the things or outcomes you want. Friends, family, and colleagues can offer help in their actions or provide different perspectives as a way to support you.
But in some drastic cases, consulting a professional is the better course of action. After all, you can’t get an aircraft to take off without having a pilot on board who knows his way around the cockpit.
In a similar vein, if you find yourself needing to navigate legal complexities, having a lawyer by your side can give you assurance and expertise within arm’s reach.
But this begs the question: When exactly is the right time to employ legal services? Are there specific circumstances that call for the need for legal expertise?
If you find yourself at the crossroads of deciding whether to employ legal services or not, then you’re in the right place. This article will give you insights into common scenarios where specialised legal expertise is crucial for your personal or business well-being.
Let’s take a look at these specific scenarios in greater detail.
When You’re Facing or Pushing For Domestic Abuse Charges
If you or a loved one is a victim of domestic abuse and harassment, it’s important to speak up and act on it with the help of a legal professional.
Australia has many laws that protect victims from all forms of abuse, whether it’s physical or verbal. There are also domestic violence lawyers from reputable law firms like Astor Legal who can protect those wrongfully accused of domestic abuse charges and help dismiss accusatory cases quickly and with little consequence.
That said, the process of accusing and defending domestic abuse cases needs to be conducted through a legal representative to ensure that any subsequent action is grounded on a legal foundation. This is something only a licensed lawyer is capable of doing for their client, as they’re sworn in to uphold the law of the land.
That said, if you’re the victim of domestic abuse, then a lawyer can help you gather evidence and organise it all in a mini-brief. They’ll also advocate on your behalf and help ensure that justice is served, whether it be by pushing the accused for jail time or establishing an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) on your behalf.
Whether you’re a victim of family violence or stalking, or being accused of these violations, lawyers can advocate and advise you on the best thing to do to protect your dignity and liberty. This is particularly true if you’ve hired a competent, speciality lawyer who’s familiar and updated with the region’s laws on a deeper level.
When You’re Dealing With Custody Disputes
The same rule applies to disputes involving child custody. If you’re fighting for the right to see or care for your child, then you need to have ample legal support to give you the best chances of getting the most favourable outcome.
Having family lawyers on call can help you navigate parenting arrangements and ensure that the discussion involving parental arrangements is underscored with a legal basis. These lawyers can help fight for a fair outcome that upholds the child’s welfare and dignity. They’ll also help parents navigate custody and relocation needs through an unbiased lens.
Due to the emotional and high-stakes nature of child custody, a lawyer can act as the child’s advocate while simultaneously protecting your rights as a parent. This, in turn, can help provide the best chances for you and your child to be reunited or, at the very least, achieve an outcome that’s fair for everyone involved.
When You’re Dealing with Employment Disputes
Another scenario when hiring a lawyer should be considered is when the matter concerns your employment or business rights.
Australia has a plethora of labour laws that protect the rights of businesses and workers, and the sheer number of laws surrounding this matter can be quite difficult to keep track of.
Not to mention, when the matter concerns your livelihood and main source of income, it’s essential to have legal representation at your beck and call to ensure that your rights are adequately protected.
Cases involving a lack of due process—such as unlawful termination, unpaid wages, contract violations, or workplace harassment—are best addressed with the help of a lawyer who specialises in employment or labour law.
For instance, if you’ve been unlawfully terminated because you’ve reported a valid safety concern, then you can fight for unlawful dismissal under Australian law. Similarly, if your employees are fighting for a cause that negatively frames your business, then you can hire a labour lawyer to defend you against such claims.
In any case, seeking the aid of a legal professional ensures that you can navigate matters that involve legal consequences more effectively and with less stress. This ensures that you won’t be taken advantage of by the other party and that your rights are protected and dignified.
When You’re Facing Criminal Charges
A classic example of a time when it’s ideal to hire legal services is when you’re facing criminal charges.
Being accused of a crime in Australia can have dire consequences for your freedom and livelihood. Not only does a successful criminal charge deprive you of liberty for some time, but it also taints your name when applying for work, loans, and other important matters.
As such, you’d want to have an expert legal defence on your side if you’re being accused of a crime. These lawyers will defend your case and can potentially reduce your sentencing or get your charges dropped outright, depending on the type of charge you’re facing.
Beyond their actions on court, criminal lawyers can also advise you on how to interact with prosecutors, police, and other persons of authority.
This can drastically affect your case outcome by limiting the evidence these parties can use against you, which can be the difference maker in your liberty, your fine amount, and the length of potential jail time.
When You Want to File a Lawsuit
On the other side of the spectrum, you should also employ legal representatives if you want to file a lawsuit against another party.
If you’ve suffered damages of any form, whether it’s physical, emotional, or financial, hiring a lawyer to sue the party responsible for it is a necessary course of action.
Lawyers can help validate the case and provide you with the proper assistance to file, gather evidence, and help you navigate court proceedings.
Without a lawyer, you’ll be prone to mishaps and make a lot of crucial mistakes in presenting your case. Even if the proof and evidence against the other party is sufficient, if you fail to present it properly, then the court could favour the defendant or minimise charges against them.
To ensure that justice is served, hire a lawyer who’s adept at the particular practice. This way, you can proceed with the trial (or settle out of court) and increase your chances of success in this particular case.
When You’re Starting or Restructuring a Business
Hiring a corporate or commercial lawyer can be beneficial in ensuring your business venture launches smoothly.
Starting a business in Australia requires you to gather a lot of documents and choose a legal structure. This can be complicated to handle for first-timers, and mismanaging it can lead to spending more on taxes and other liabilities.
With a lawyer around, you can have the confidence to set the right foundation for your new business. In particular, they can help you register your business name, draft contracts, and create and understand supplier and stakeholder agreements.
If you’re absorbing another company (or being absorbed by one), then an Australian lawyer can also help you navigate this change of ownership shift smoothly and within legal grounds. They have the expertise to know how to comply with company structural changes, ensuring that your decisions are legally compliant and that your and your employees’ interests are protected.
We hope these tips will inform you on the best times to hire legal services. Best of luck!
