How Do I Know What Type of Florida Lawyer I Need?

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 How Do I Know What Kind of Florida Lawyer I Need?

When it comes to choosing the right type of lawyer for your case in Florida, that will depend on your specific legal needs. Florida attorneys often practice in distinct areas of the law. Each practice area requires different expertise and experience.

Examples of common practice areas in Florida include:

  • Family Law Attorneys: Family lawyers handle divorces, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence cases
    • These types of attorneys are essential for navigating Florida’s complex family court system, as well as Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes, which covers family law
  • Personal Injury Lawyers: If you’ve been injured in an accident as a result of another party’s negligent actions or inactions, then you may wish to set up an attorney consultation personal injury attorney who handle cases like car accidents, slip and falls, and medical malpractice
  • Estate Planning Attorneys: These types of attorneys assist clients with wills, trusts, probate matters, guardianships, and planning for future asset distribution
    • Estate planning lawyers often work with both individuals and their families to protect their assets by managing their assets in a way which avoids probate courts and allows them to utilize tax code
  • Criminal Defense Lawyers: If you have been accused of a crime, then it is essential to set up a lawyer appointment to represent you in regards to the charges being brought against you
    • These lawyers represent clients facing criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies
  • Business and Corporate Lawyers: These attorneys represent their clients in business formations, contracts, mergers, acquisitions, and matters of commercial litigation
  • Real Estate Attorneys: These attorneys represent both landlords and tenants, as well as buyers and sellers, in dealing with property transactions, landlord-tenant disputes, and matters related to real estate litigation

The following is a list of recommended actions to assist you in how to choose an attorney for your particularized legal needs:

  • First, you should identify your exact legal issue, as this can allow you to figure out the area of law that covers your issue(s)
  • Next, you should look for a Florida lawyer who has experienced handling cases that fall under the umbrella of the area of law concerning your issues
  • Next, you should check The Florida Bar website for the attorneys credentials and ensure that they are licensed to practice and practice in the area of law you need
  • Next, you should set up a consultation with any potential attorneys in order to meet with them to determine if they are a proper fit to handle your specific legal issues
  • Finally, during your consultation, you should inquire about the attorney’s experience in handling cases similar to you and get an idea for what kind of legal fees you would be paying for their services

What Do Criminal Lawyers Do?

Criminal defense attorneys in Florida represent clients through all stages of criminal proceedings, from arrest through trial or plea negotiations. They ensure their client’s constitutional rights are protected.

Their core duties include defending their clients against criminal charges, analyzing evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and representing their clients at any in person court hearings. Criminal lawyers also have knowledge regarding Rule 3.111 of the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, which outlines the requirements for proper legal representation in criminal cases.

What Do Civil Lawyers Do?

In Florida, civil lawyers represent clients in non criminal legal matters that occur between parties. In a civil dispute, one party seeks money damages or specific actions rather than criminal penalties.

These lawyers handle cases involving contracts, personal injury, property disputes, business conflicts, and family law matters. Civil lawyers assist their clients by guiding them through the litigation process. This includes filing or responding to lawsuits through settlement negotiations or trial, while following the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. They also provide legal counsel to their clients, draft documents, conduct discovery, and represent their clients at any in person mediation or court proceedings.

What Do Family Lawyers Do?

As noted above, family lawyers in Florida handle a variety of different legal matters involving marriage, divorce, child custody, support, adoption, and domestic violence under Chapter 61 of Florida Statutes.

They assist their clients by guiding them through court proceedings, negotiating settlements, drafting legal documents, and representing their clients in mediations and trials. If children are involved, they also assist their clients with negotiating time sharing arrangements (i.e., child custody), establishing or modifying child support and alimony payments, and helping protect their client’s rights regarding property division and parental responsibilities.

What Do Probate Lawyers Do?

Probate lawyers in Florida assist their clients by guiding personal representatives and beneficiaries through the court supervised process of administering a deceased person’s estate under Chapters 731-735 of Florida Statutes.

That process is known as the probate process. They help identify and collect assets, pay creditors and taxes, distribute property to beneficiaries, and ensure compliance with all legal requirements.

What Do Wills, Trusts, and Estate Lawyers Do?

These attorneys assist people in planning their estate, such as by creating properly drafted wills and trusts, and helping their clients manage their assets. Specifically, wills, trusts, and estate lawyers help their clients plan for asset distribution and management under Chapters 731-737 of Florida Statutes.

They do so by drafting essential documents like wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. These attorneys also assist their clients with tax planning, asset protection, guardianship arrangements, and administration of their trusts. By creating comprehensive estate plans, estate lawyers protect their client’s wealth, minimize taxes, and ensure their wishes are carried out while helping them avoid probate when possible.

What Do Real Estate Lawyers Do?

Florida real estate lawyers handle property transactions and disputes under Chapter 475 and Chapter 718 of Florida Statutes. They review and prepare contracts, conduct title searches, resolve boundary disputes, and handle real estate closings.

These attorneys assist their clients with residential and commercial property purchases, sales, leases, and foreclosures, while also representing them in real estate litigation, zoning issues, and landlord tenant disputes. They also ensure proper documentation, compliance with state laws, and protection of their clients’ property rights throughout any real estate transactions.

What Do Business Lawyers Do?

Florida business lawyers help companies navigate legal matters under Chapters 607 and 605 of Florida Statutes, which are the laws on corporations and limited liability companies, respectively. They assist their clients with business formation, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution.

These attorneys assist their clients in drafting and reviewing essential documents, protecting their intellectual property, handling employment issues, and representing the businesses in litigation. They also provide ongoing legal counsel for day-to-day operations, risk management, and assist with strategic business decisions that require legal expertise.

What Do Finance and Bankruptcy Lawyers Do?

Florida bankruptcy lawyers help their clients navigate insolvency under federal bankruptcy code and state exemption laws. Specifically, they guide individuals and businesses through Chapter 7 liquidation or Chapter 13 reorganization processes.

They also assist in negotiating with creditors and protecting their client’s assets using Florida’s homestead and property exemptions. These attorneys also assist with debt restructuring, stopping foreclosures and collections, and filing necessary court documents related to bankruptcy.

What Do Employment Lawyers Do?

Florida employment lawyers represent both employees and employers concerning workplace matters under federal and state labor laws. They handle cases involving discrimination, wrongful termination, wage disputes, harassment, retaliation, and employment contracts.

These attorneys also assist their clients with workplace compliance, negotiate severance agreements, handle workers’ compensation claims, and represent their clients before administrative agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). They can also guide businesses on human resources policies while protecting workers’ rights in areas such as overtime pay, workplace safety, and employee benefits.

What Do Immigration Lawyers Do?

Florida immigration lawyers help their clients navigate federal immigration laws and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) procedures to obtain visas, green cards, and citizenship.

They also assist clients in handling employment visas, providing clients with deportation defense, and handling asylum applications. These attorneys can represent clients before immigration courts and government agencies, help them prepare necessary documentation, and ensure their client’s compliance with immigration regulations.

Where Can I Find the Right Florida Lawyer?

When it comes to where you can find the right Florida lawyer, LegalMatch can assist you in locating and setting up a legal consultation with an experienced attorney in your area that handles the practice area of law who covers the issues you are facing.

Oftentimes, an initial attorney consultation may be free or at a minimum cost. At the initial consultation, you should inquire about the attorney’s experience in handling cases similar to yours, as well as have a conversation regarding the estimated fees to handle your case.

They can also provide you with a roadmap of how you can best approach your legal issue. Finally, if you choose to hire them, they can begin assisting you with your issue by negotiating with the other party, or representing you in court, as needed.

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