It is best to get high-quality information about the results and consequences of an action before we take that action.  If we are talking about a legal situation then the source of that high-quality information is an experienced attorney.  Contacting your attorney beforehand  is taking preventive action before a situation can become a legal situation.  This is what the rich do everyday.  They call their attorney who specializes in that area of the law and learn the law and their rights for their particular situation.  That is what everyone is entitled to do if justice is for all.

There are several common ways you and your attorney can help prevent a negative legal issue:

1. Call your specialized attorney to ask questions on an unlimited number of issues (and to have the attorney call you back promptly!)
2. Have your attorney make a phone call or write a letter on your behalf (Your attorney’s credentials and stationery are more compelling than yours!)
3. Have your attorney review any contract before you sign it and tell you if there is any part that is not good for you (and you can say “My attorney has to review it first and mean it!)
4. Have your attorney prepare your last will , living will and medical directive, also for your spouse (and then sleep very well knowing you’ve protected your family!)

Taking any and all of these preventive actions will give you peace of mind and the knowledge of your legal rights so you can make an informed decision.

Most of us have not used an attorney for items #1 -3, though we know we need to for item #4 if we haven’t already.    If we have the ability to use an attorney for items #1-3 without paying the high hourly rate, most of us would discover many situations where involving the experienced and specialized attorney would help.  In fact, it would become our normal first action especially if a prior use of your attorney was very beneficial to you.  We would begin to feel rich in regards to our easy access to our own attorney in times of need.

Here’s some situations when many people have used the services of items #1-3:

• Family members challenge your parent’s will
• You are buying or selling your home
• Your dry-cleaner wrecks your shirt and refuses to compensate you
• Your landlord raises rent in violation of your verbal agreement
• Your teenager is accused of shoplifting
• Creditors threaten to take action against you for your ex-spouse’s debts
• A neighbor or school reports you for child abuse
• A friend or neighbor is injured on your property
• You need child support enforced
• A friend owes you money and files bankruptcy
• A hairdresser damages your hair with harsh chemicals
• You are called to jury duty
• Your son is injured in a football game

Click Here to See All 101 Reasons

About 70% of all Americans do not have a prepared will or living will in place.

If that 70%  had the ability to have their will prepared without paying an attorney’s regular billing rate, that high percentage would come down substantially.  It is sad that so many families are unprotected mostly because an attorney is unaffordable.  For families that have young children, the lack of a will at that time of need would most likely result in their children becoming wards of the state, at least temporarily.  That is a scary thought.

If you have a will is it still valid if you have moved?

We came to Florida with both of us having a Michigan will (Dawn’s boss was an attorney and prepared it free of charge, thank goodness!) and for five years we thought our girls were protected, but we were wrong.  A last will and testament is governed by state law.  Therefore, you need a new will prepared when you change your state of residence.