At some point, as time goes on, you may be faced with a major or minor legal issue. Early on, it can be difficult to determine on your own just how serious a given situation is. No one knows how an issue is going to develop and what the possible ramifications or impact will be on their lives. That’s why it’s important to consult with an attorney immediately. Don’t assume you know what the law requires or even that the law is dictated by common sense. The law can be very complicated.
It can be imperative to have a legal consultation right away to afford yourself the time needed to deal with a developing situation properly and with the benefit of counsel moving forward. Avoid procrastination about seeing a lawyer. A quick consult can save you a lot of heartache, time and money in the long run. Innocent or seemingly innocuous mistakes can be avoided. The chances for a more successful outcome increase significantly when you have the benefit of legal counsel. Sometimes attorneys can’t go back in time and correct unknowing mistakes. This is a time when common-sense thinking about a situation may not be enough. There’s a danger in not knowing the proper procedure or what is required under the law and what should or should not be done.
For example, the initial application for social security disability benefits is done without legal counsel. Here’s an example – when you apply for Social Security benefits, legal counsel doesn’t become applicable unless benefits are denied and an appeal needs to be taken. You have 60 days from the date on the letter from social security to file an appeal. If you consult with an attorney before the initial application, you will be better prepared to handle the application and have a better chance of success. The attorney will advise you to include all medical conditions as well as perhaps vision, hearing, weight and other medical conditions that you may not realize are included. Initial applications are, however, sometimes denied.
If you had consulted with an attorney who handles social security disability cases before the initial application, that same attorney would be prepared to handle the appeal. The consultation with an attorney does increase your chances for a successful initial application.
The moral of the story is to consult with an attorney sooner rather than later. Chances are it could save you time and money in the long run.
