With so many different types of attorneys available it can become overwhelming to find the right one that suits your specific needs. Featured below is a list of the most common attorneys, along with what they practice.
Family Law Practice
A family law practice handles every aspect of the family. It covers all areas of a divorce proceeding from start to finish. This includes but is not limited to the dividing of assets, liability of the accumulated debt and child custody, visitation and child support and alimony payments. It also handles paternity suits, legal guardianship, emancipation, adoption and juvenile delinquency.
Guardian ad Litem
While not an attorney, the Guardian ad Litem is a qualified person selected by the court to act in the best interest of a child along with an attorney to represent a child who is under the legal age. This can be for a number of reasons such as child neglect or suspected abuse cases brought forth by the Department of Social Services.
Personal Injury
A personal injury attorney like Steven Schwartzapfel helps people get compensation for both the physical and the psychological trauma associated with an injury sustained at the hands of another. Known as tort claims, it can involve things like a car accident or a serious slip and fall that as a direct result the person has acquired permanent or extensive injuries. The attorney hired by the innocent party will try to settle the case for negligence and damages. This can include a reduced quality of life, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Medical Malpractice
A subset of the tort law, a medical malpractice attorney files a lawsuit against an establishment such as a nursing home or a hospital and all doctors, nurses and other parties that provided services to the patient for negligence. The injuries sustained can range from the wrong procedure to a death caused by lack of proper care. The attorney prior to filing with the court will interview the client or family of to determine whether the case is something they can prove occurred. Once an attorney accepts the case, the individual they represent will not have to cover any legal fees until the case either settles or goes to trial.
Criminal Defense
A criminal defense attorney represents clients who have criminal charges brought against them either by another individual or law enforcement. The crimes can be either charge of a misdemeanor up to a felony and can include things like a DUI or an OUI, a robbery, a speeding ticket or spousal abuse. A defense lawyer is important to have in order to reduce or eliminate some or all of the charges.
Estate Attorney
An estate attorney is someone who looks after your assets while you are alive and after you pass. He or she will meet with you to draw up a living will, living trust, power of attorney and a health care proxy. The attorney will also make personal recommendations as to where to put money to avoid paying excessive taxes back after the client passes on and offers advice on how to plan for it by giving someone access to the funds so they don’t end up tied up in litigation for years.
Clarity Lawyers says
Great comparison with their differences and I agree that they have different issues to tackle. Thanks for sharing.