When an individual in California is wondering how to choose an attorney, it can feel quite overwhelming. There are numerous different types of lawyers who can handle many different types of cases.
There are some issues and cases that can involve multiple legal practice areas. Many California attorneys have experience handling many different types of cases and can help with an individual’s legal needs, even when it involves multiple practice areas.
In most situations, an individual will choose the type of lawyer they need based on their legal issue or question. Some attorneys will handle many different kinds of cases, and some will focus their practice on specific issues.
For more information on the type of cases that a lawyer handles as well as their legal fees, an individual should schedule a lawyer consultation.
What Do Criminal Lawyers Do?
Criminal lawyers, often called criminal defense attorneys, defend individuals who have been charged with a criminal offense. Crimes are conduct that is punishable by imprisonment, criminal fines, or probation.
Criminal laws can also encompass traffic violations, infractions, and local ordinances, which are usually punishable by fines. More serious traffic violations, however, can be classified as crimes and should be handled by a criminal lawyer.
A defendant can hire their own criminal defense lawyer or, if they cannot afford one, the court will appoint one to represent them. Either way, a defendant is entitled to legal representation in a criminal case.
When a defendant is facing serious criminal charges or when the case may affect their immigration status, it is essential to have a lawyer.
What Do Civil Lawyers Do?
Civil lawyers handle issues that are governed by civil laws, such as contract disputes, one individual suing another, and other personal transactional issues. In contrast to criminal cases, civil cases do not involve a determination of innocence or guilt.
Instead, the parties are seeking damages, such as monetary damages, damages in equity, such as an injunction, or punitive damages in some cases. One of the most commonly known types of civil cases is a personal injury lawsuit. These types of cases are filed when an individual is injured due to an accident, defective product, or another’s conduct.
It is important to have a lawyer handling a civil case, as not following the requirements and local court rules may result in monetary sanctions or even the dismissal of a case. A lawyer can help with any type of civil issue, even when there is not a dispute, such as drafting a contract.
A civil lawyer will make sure the contract is valid and enforceable is written to avoid future issues. Civil lawyers can also help clients with purchases, creating trademarks, and copyrights.
For more information on how a civil lawyer can help, it is important to schedule a lawyer appointment with an attorney in the area.
What Do Family Lawyers Do?
Family lawyers handle cases that involve family law issues, such as:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Adoption
- Child support
- Child custody
- Paternity
- Prenuptial agreements
- Postnuptial agreements
The majority of family law issues will arise after two individuals have married. A divorce can be extremely stressful and difficult for all parties involved, especially when children are involved. A family lawyer can help make sure that assets are fairly divided, choices are made in the child’s best interests, and an individual’s parental rights are protected throughout the process.
A family attorney can give an individual advice about what they may be entitled to receive under their state laws. When an individual does not have legal representation in these situations, they may inadvertently waive their right to alimony, visitation with their children, or even custody of their children.
What Do Probate Lawyers Do?
Probate lawyers help individuals with issues such as:
- Probating a will
- Emancipation
- Conservatorship
- Guardianship
Probating a will is the process of distributing a decedent’s property under court supervision. An emancipation is when a minor child is given certain rights as though they were an adult.
In a conservatorship, one adult is appointed by the court to take care of another adult who cannot take care of themselves. A guardianship arises when an adult is appointed by a court to care for a minor child or their property.
A probate attorney will have experience with all of these issues. It is especially important to have legal representation when there are significant amounts of money or property involved.
What Do Wills, Trusts, and Estate Lawyers Do?
Wills, trusts, and estate lawyers help their clients with estate planning. This process involves providing written instructions for how an individual wants their property managed or distributed when they pass away.
Many people think estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly. However, everyone can benefit from having an estate plan.
A comprehensive estate plan can include many issues in addition to personal property and funds, such as:
- How someone wants to receive medical treatment if they become incapacitated and cannot speak for themselves
- Whether they want to be an organ donor
- Who will be authorized to make legal and financial decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated
- Who is authorized to care for their minor children if they become incapacitated or if they pass away
- Who is authorized to take over their business interests
- Their preferred funeral arrangements
- This includes information regarding previously made plans, for example, a purchased burial plot or a prepaid funeral service
A wills, trusts, and estates lawyer will have experience and knowledge about the proper and required language that will have to be included in all of the documents to make them valid and enforceable. A lawyer can also assist an individual who wants to contest a will.
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What Do Real Estate Lawyers Do?
Real estate lawyers can handle any type of real estate issues, whether their client is an individual or a business owner. Real estate attorneys can handle numerous issues, such as:
A lawyer can be helpful for any type of transaction, whether it is simple or complicated.
What Do Business Lawyers Do?
Business attorneys can give their clients assistance and guidance on nearly all aspects of their business, which includes, but is not limited to:
- Corporate law issues
- Business formation
- Compliance
- Disputes related to the sale and acquisition of:
- businesses
- stocks
- securities
- Intellectual property
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Registration of intellectual property, including:
- copyrights
- trademarks
- patents
- Contract or business conflicts
- Business or property cases
- Inappropriate use of guarded data, such as:
- privacy matters
- security breaches
- data governance
- Compliance with business rules and other applicable regulations
- Registration of the business, including federal and state tax identification numbers and any required licenses
- Interstate and global business cases, such as the transportation of goods
What Do Finance and Bankruptcy Lawyers Do?
Finance and bankruptcy lawyers can help their clients with all different types of legal issues that are finance related, including:
- Financial transactions and regulatory compliance
- Financial litigation
- Contract disputes
- Providing advice on regulatory issues
- Negotiating and drafting financial contracts
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Bankruptcy and financial restructuring
- Negotiating with creditors
What Do Employment Lawyers Do?
Employment lawyers can help clients who have work-related issues. They can also assist with issues involving statutes, codes, and laws that govern employment law issues. These types of cases can involve government departments and agencies.
An employment attorney can help their clients outside of court by helping negotiate, draft, and review employment contracts for both employers and employees before the parties sign them. It is important to note that employment laws and immigration laws can overlap. An employment lawyer can help ensure a business is not hiring or exploiting workers in an illegal manner.
What Do Immigration Lawyers Do?
Immigration lawyers can help their clients with many different immigration issues, including:
When someone has any type of question or concern about their immigration status, it is essential that they reach out to a lawyer.
Where Can I Find the Right California Lawyer?
No matter which type of lawyer that you need in California, LegalMatch can help. It provides a quick, confidential, and free process for finding a California lawyer near you.
When you submit your concern on the website, LegalMatch will help you determine which type of lawyer you need as well as help you find one in your area who can help. It will only take you about 15 minutes to take advantage of LegalMatch’s lawyer matching services to find your California lawyer today.
