So, here you are. You probably never expected to go to court, but now you’re either facing or filing a civil litigation case, and you don’t know where to start. Before you panic, remember that civil litigation cases spring up all the time. You don’t need to be a criminal to go to court. You’re probably just settling a simple dispute.
That being said, it’s still a good idea to hire a civil law attorney for your case. Attorneys can help you understand the law better and will make sure you don’t accidentally incriminate yourself. They’ll represent you professionally in court and work hard to get you the best outcome possible.
You may be worried about the cost or the hassle, especially when thinking about a civil law attorney salary, but never fear. Hiring a civil lawyer will pay for itself. They can keep other unexpected costs from cropping up in court and will get you the justice and the compensation that you need.
If you don’t know whether you can or should hire a civil law attorney, don’t worry. We’ve put together a quick guide to help you decide when you should hire a civil law attorney. Read on to learn more about the services that civil law attorneys can provide
What Is Civil Law?
Civil law is not the same as criminal law. It does not deal with criminal charges whatsoever. It simply settles disputes between two parties, a plaintiff and a defendant.
Civil litigation cases arise when the plaintiff makes a legal complaint against the defendant. The case is brought to court, and a judge or jury will make the final decision to resolve the issue. Normally, this judgment will involve some kind of financial compensation.
Unlike criminal law, civil law cases can be brought to court by anyone, not just government officials. A civil lawsuit can be between civilians, businesses, or government authorities.
Most civil law attorneys specialize in one or two fields. To get the best civil lawyer possible for your case, make sure you know the specialization of the lawyer you’re considering.
There are a variety of different cases covered under civil law, including:
- Personal injury
- Family matters
- Corporate/business matters
- Real estate law
- Employment law
If your case sounds like it could fit in any of these categories, keep reading to learn more about when you should hire a civil law attorney.
Tort Claims
Tort claims are one of the most common types of civil lawsuits. You would file a tort claim if you want compensation for damages caused by an accident.
These damages aren’t always physical. They can be emotional or mental damages as well. You can claim compensation for pain and suffering, loss of present and future income, caregiving costs, and more.
There are lots of different types of tort claims that you can file according to the type of accident you’ve been involved in. In these situations, a civil law attorney can be a massive help to you. They can make sure you are properly compensated for all the pain you’ve gone through.
Most people hire a civil law attorney to help with personal injury cases. These cases are the most common type of tort claims. Personal injury cases include situations such as:
- Car accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip & fall incidents
- Dog attacks
- Premises liability
Other types of tort claims include:
- Medical malpractice
- Defamation
- Invasion of privacy
- Property damage
- Product liability
- And more
In these situations, you may be legally entitled to compensation for your injuries or other damages. A civil law attorney can help you navigate this so that you can get the best possible outcome for your case.
Breach of Contract
A breached contract is another common reason why people go to civil court. This kind of case occurs when one or more individuals who signed the same contract are unable or are refusing to fulfill it. Usually, this happens when one party doesn’t have the funds to hold up their end of the deal.
This kind of case also applies to business organizations. You may need a civil law attorney if you’re involved in a situation between a business and a customer in which the business fails to provide a service. Or, you may be involved in a case concerning copyright or trademark law, or franchising and licensing contracts.
Real estate cases also can fall under breach of contract issues. This can apply to disputes between landlords and tenants or homeowners and design contractors. Real estate litigation can include:
- Lease reviews
- Evictions
- Commercial real estate
- And more
If you are involved in a case similar to any of the ones listed above, you may want to hire a civil law attorney. In any of these cases and many more, they can help you resolve these issues quickly and painlessly.
Estate Litigation
You don’t always need to go to court to hire a civil law attorney. They can also give you legal advice about estate planning.
When putting together a will and/or a living trust, there are many things that you need to take into consideration. A civil lawyer can help you wade through all the legal jargon and give you professional advice.
If, on the other hand, you are a beneficiary of a will or trust, you may also run into disputes. In this case, it’s also a good idea to have a civil law attorney at hand, as they can bring your case to court and help get you the justice that you deserve.
Divorce Matters
Although some matters of divorce are best settled under family law rather than civil law, it still may be a good idea to hire a civil law attorney for your divorce. Civil lawyers are well-versed in settling disputes and they know how to handle situations where people are at odds with one another.
Hiring a civil law attorney for your divorce case can help you handle issues involving spousal support, child support, and child custody. Divorces can be messy and difficult but the right civil law attorney will get you through it.
Find a Civil Law Attorney Near Me
No matter what your civil lawsuit is about, it’s a good idea to have a civil law attorney at your side. Professional legal advice is invaluable. A civil law attorney will help you get the best possible outcome for your case and bring you to justice.