NCJ Number
54891
Date Published
1978
Length
406 pages
Annotation
NUMEROUS SITUATIONS ARE DISCUSSED WHERE THE LAY PERSON CAN HANDLE HIS OWN LEGAL PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS SITUATIONS USUALLY REQUIRING PROFESSIONAL COUNSEL. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVING LEGAL AID ARE DISCUSSED ALSO.
Abstract
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS AND GUIDELINES ARE OFFERED TO HELP THE LAY PERSON SAFEGUARD HIS RIGHTS AND SAVE THE EXPENSE OF HIRING LEGAL COUNSEL WHICH COVER THE MAJORITY OF LEGAL DIFFICULTIES CONFRONTING THE AVERAGE PERSON. MATTERS THAT FREQUENTLY INVOLVE AN ATTORNEY, SUCH AS DRAFTING WILLS AND ATTAINING AN UNCOMPLICATED DIVORCE, ARE DISCUSSED FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE INVOLVED PARTIES HANDLING THE AFFAIR. THE LAY PERSON ALSO OFTEN CAN MANAGE HIS LEGAL PROBLEMS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: THE COLLECTION OF JUDGMENTS, DISPUTES BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND TENANTS, STARTING A BUSINESS, COPING WITH A BANKRUPTCY, MAKING A CITIZEN'S ARREST, CHANGING ONE'S NAME, OBTAINING A POWER OF ATTORNEY, WHAT TO DO IF ARRESTED, AND BUYING OR SELLING A HOUSE. THE USE OF LAW FORMS AND LAW LIBRARIES IS ALSO DISCUSSED. THE SITUATIONS THAT WARRANT HIRING AN ATTORNEY ARE EXAMINED WITH EMPHASIS ON FINDING THE PROPER COUNSEL FOR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES. NEGOTIATION OF LEGAL FEES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF PREPAID LEGAL PLANS ARE CONSIDERED ALONG WITH LEGAL AID SERVICES FOR PERSONS WHO QUALIFY. (TWK).