Is it worth it to pay an Attorney and/or Mediator?

Should I hire an attorney and/or mediator?

One of the biggest – and most often cited – expenses related to litigation, divorce and/or contested judicial matters is the attorney and/or mediator. There is a perpetual debate over the value of services provided by professionals, attorney and/or mediator. In the legal practice this controversy is sometimes confronted head-on by judicial system itself. After all, going “pro se” (individuals representing themselves) requires greater resources to be allocated by the State and Federal Government than individuals or businesses with the assistance of legal counsel who can navigate their way throughout the process.

In this blog we’ll examine the underlying factors that come into play when involved in a lawsuit, litigation or general dispute with – or without – an attorney and/or mediator, so that you can make your own informed decisions about the subject. After all, it’s your money, your property, your children or the like and most of all your choice.

Representing yourself, or “pro se” is worthy of consideration, and can save you an initial expenditure of funds to hire an attorney but you must consider not just the present but your future obligations both direct and indirect. To represent yourself, you will need to understand the legal and judicial process, and let alone the laws and statutes they may impact your ability to obtain the relief that you are seeking. But many people decide to represent themselves instead of hiring attorneys and/or mediators during the initial process and only involve an attorney after the fact i.e. judgment had entered, and for that reason it is a reasonable and common practice to hire your advocate before the process potentially may impact your future advocates ability to undo what occurs during the initial proceedings.

You will be forced to deal with many issues when involved in litigation. There may be depositions, court dates, hearings, trials or a process you don’t know about, or an issue that you are too involved with to view with objective eyes. You might need experienced advice to assist you in examining your options when faced with a fork in the road. Without quick and professional resolution of these types of problems, you could face serious consequences, both financially and emotionally.

For these reasons, the most overlooked, underrated, and valuable justification for hiring an attorney and/or mediator is that it gives you the opportunity to negotiate through a professional, experienced, and emotionally objective third party who has your best interest in mind.

Because the attorney will be negotiating/advocating on your behalf, it is essential that you hire someone you can trust, communicate with, and rely upon. Many parties feel most confident when they are able to choose an attorney from their own community who understands their needs.

The decision to hire an attorney and/or mediator or go it alone as a “pro se” is a complicated and important one, and there are many variables to take into consideration.

If I can be of any assistance to you when your situation requires legal counsel please contact me mfasanojr@duffyandfasano.com. My name is Michael A. Fasano Jr. and I am with Duffy & Fasano, attorneys and counselors at law. I service the New Haven County area, Litchfield County Area with a focus on Waterbury, Litchfield and the beautiful Northwest Hills.