When to Consult a Professional
While you can handle many consumer issues on your own by filing complaints and being persistent, some situations are too complex or involve stakes that are too high to manage alone. Knowing when to seek professional legal help is a critical part of protecting your rights and finances.
Filing a complaint with an agency like the FTC or BBB is about reporting a problem and seeking mediation. Consulting an attorney is about getting personalized legal advice and potentially taking legal action to recover damages or enforce your rights in court.
Scenarios That May Require a Lawyer
Consider seeking a consultation with an attorney if you find yourself in any of the following situations:
- You Have Suffered a Significant Financial Loss: If a scam or fraudulent business practice has cost you thousands of dollars, an attorney can advise you on whether you have a viable case to sue for the recovery of your money.
- The Issue Involves a Complex Contract: Disputes over real estate transactions, reverse mortgages, annuities, or home improvement contracts can be incredibly complex. An attorney can review the documents and determine if your rights were violated.
- A Debt Collector Is Suing You or Illegally Seizing Assets: If you’ve been served with a lawsuit from a debt collector, you must respond. An attorney can help you determine if the debt is valid, if it’s past the statute of limitations, and can represent you in court.
- You Are a Victim of Identity Theft: While you can do much of the recovery process yourself, an attorney can be invaluable if you are having trouble with credit bureaus removing fraudulent information or if creditors are continuing to harass you for debts that aren’t yours.
- You Are Being Pressured into a Decision: If you are feeling pressured to sign a document related to your will, trust, or property, an attorney can provide an independent review and ensure you are not being subjected to undue influence or financial exploitation.
How to Find Qualified and Affordable Legal Help
The cost of hiring an attorney can be a concern for many, especially those on a fixed income. Fortunately, there are resources available that can provide low-cost or free legal assistance.
- Legal Aid Societies: These are non-profit organizations that provide free legal services to low-income people. Every state has a Legal Aid society, and many have specific programs or elder law units dedicated to helping seniors.
- Law School Clinics: Many law schools run free legal clinics where students, supervised by professors, provide legal help to the community. These can be an excellent resource for consumer protection issues.
- State and Local Bar Associations: Your local bar association can provide you with a referral to a qualified attorney who specializes in consumer law or elder law. Some offer low-cost initial consultations.
- National Council on Aging (NCOA): The NCOA and other senior advocacy groups often have directories of legal resources available for older adults.
When you meet with an attorney, be prepared. Bring all the documents you’ve collected: contracts, letters, emails, and your own notes about what happened. The more organized you are, the more effectively the attorney can assess your situation and advise you on the best course of action.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.
