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Is justice going to the highest bidder?
by Barbara Jo Truchon
YOU HAVE A PROBLEM (And so could your business!)
Our courts are out of control. Instead of equal justice for all in many cases it seems justice goes to the highest bidder, the client who pays the highest legal bill. Here are three areas where many problems are found and steps to avoid the pitfalls.
Fully 50% of us will need an attorney in the next 12 months but many will not use one due to the cost.
And being your own lawyer is not a do it yourself job.
Have you noticed that there are no "Attorney Depots"? Why? The laws are so complex that sometimes even the lawyers can't make sense of them. And people love to sue. A NEW LAWSUIT IS FILED EVERY 3 SECONDS IN AMERICA! Even volunteers for charitable organizations have risk as volunteers.
THE PERSONAL ARENA
Ever buy a home? Did you read all the fine print in the 5 or 6 inch stack of papers they presented you or did you just sign, eyes glazed over, (about 100 times). Did you comfort yourself with the
good old "It's what everyone HAS to sign"? Sure, you would love an attorney present but ...oops... costs too much. Or a car loan. Who can read all this stuff? Or how about when we get fired from our job, need a contract reviewed, sign a lease or get audited?
Divorce is a double threat since there is the divorce itself and often child support or a property settlement. The list keeps going.
THE BUSINESS ARENA
If you are in business for yourself you need legal help more often than most.
Small business people sign contracts, lease offices, hire and fire employees, are wide open for discrimination lawsuits, and more. Why are we so vulnerable? Because they know that in most cases we don't have the money to defend ourselves.
THE FAMILY ARENA
What does your will say? If you are like most Americans it says "I am a blank piece of paper"! Or maybe you went to the office supply and bought a boilerplate will where you just fill in the blanks. Or you downloaded this cool program that did it all for you? Do you know in your heart that something like that will apply in YOUR state? Not sure? What's the answer? Calling an attorney but at how much per hour? If you want to adopt a child or care for an ailing relative there are risks as well.
WHAT TO DO
Educate yourself. Know when you are taking a risk and weigh risks against benefits. Next, never rely on the advice of non professionals. They won't experience the consequences if they are wrong. You will. Last, don't do it yourself. Even if you are an extremly competent person remember that legal matters are not a "do it yourself" project.
About the Author
Barbara Jo Truchon and her team at Equal Justice
for All can provide prepaid legal services for pennies a day that will give you the peace of mind you deserve. Never let the expense of an attorney stop you from receiving professional advice again. Visit Barbara's website today at http://www.ejfa.com/barbarajo or http://www.prepaidlegal.com/go/barbarajot