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Why You Are Reluctant to Obtain the Legal Assistance You Need

By: Bob Sherman


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Many people would benefit from legal help about once a year. Unfortunately, many people don’t request legal guidance when these situations arise.

In 2001-2002 the American Bar Association commissioned a survey of the public perceptions of lawyers to be conducted by Leo J. Shapior & Associates. This study had some interesting conclusions that can help us grasp the reasons for the disinclination of the average person to get legal assistance.

The study established that many Americans think lawyers are capable of navigating through the complicated legal system and the majority of those who had experience with lawyers were pleased with the service they received. Nevertheless, lots of Americans also believe lawyers can be materialistic, even corrupt. Americans do not feel at ease with the connections lawyers have with politicians, the courts, and big business. They also believe that the practice of law is not self policing.

Many Americans feel reluctant to use lawyers since they fell they cannot tell a good lawyer from a poor one. And, most people are uncertain about exactly what a lawyer can do for them or how much that service will cost.

Because of these perceptions and suspicions many people who would benefit from a lawyer don’t contact one. The Shapior survey discovered that about 70% of households in any given year encounter a situation for which contact with a lawyer would be beneficial. But, most people stated they still wouldn't use a lawyer.

Compare this to visiting your family doctor. If you have medical insurance, as soon as you or your children become sick you do not think twice about seeing your doctor. If you have several children, you might visit your physician's office 5 or 10 times in a single year. You are familiar with your physician, the office, and possibly even members of the nursing staff. You've seen your doctor work with your children and know the concern that he or she has for you and your family's health.

Contrast your visits to your doctor with seeing a lawyer. You likely never visited a lawyer's office. Perhaps you've searched through the Yellow Pages and haven't the slightest idea which lawyer would be best for you. Plus, to top it off, you don't possess legal insurance that will pay for a lot of of the cost of your office visit. No surprise you are hesitant to talk with a lawyer.

It seems apparent that the common citizen is not familiar with individual lawyers. Watching Boston Legal, Law and Order or reruns of LA Law or Perry Mason isn't going to get the average person to visit a lawyer even if they could benefit from their help. Likely the best tool to encourage more contact with legal professionals is legal insurance. By becoming familiar with a lawyer in minor matters, anyone can have a greater degree of comfort about using a lawyer for more significant situations.

You might already have a legal plan available as a benefit from your employer. If not, there are various providers that offer prepaid legal plans.

Prepaid legal plans normally cover the costs for you to communicate with your lawyer by phone any time you have a potential legal situation arise. In addition, you can normally visit your lawyer to have a will drawn up, or modifications to your will on an annual basis. You may also have your lawyer examine legal forms you need to sign to make sure that everything is in order.

When you do need extensive legal help, your plan may include a number of hours of your lawyer's time for pre-trial and trial activities. Beyond the time provided by your plan, you will normally receive further support at a discount.

If a year goes by and you do not need legal help you can deem yourself fortunate. One day, similar to fire insurance on your residence, your prepaid legal plan may come in real handy,

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