I Need Legal Help

If You Need a Form or Filing Information

You may not need a lawyer if there’s no dispute and you only need the current form or filing instructions.

Start with the court, state agency, county office, or program that handles the matter.

Ask:

“Is this the current form, where does it go, and what happens after I submit it?”

Follow the instructions for witnesses, notarization, filing, fees, and deadlines.

Keep a copy of what you submit and proof that it was received.

For documents that record medical wishes or name someone to make health care decisions, use I Need Advance Directive Forms →

Ask Before Doing Something Hard to Undo

Get legal advice before taking an action you don’t understand that could affect:

• who has authority to make decisions
• money or property
• housing
• benefits
• long-term care
• guardianship
• inheritance

That may include signing a power of attorney, deed, admission agreement, settlement, estate document, or other contract.

If someone suggests guardianship, ask whether a less restrictive option, such as a power of attorney or supported decision-making, could solve the problem first. Guardianship can limit or remove important decision-making rights.

If you’re helping someone with money or bills, see I Need to Manage Someone Else’s Money →

If someone may have signed because of pressure, confusion, or an inability to understand the decision, get legal advice promptly.

If someone may be taking advantage of them, also see I Think Someone Is Being Abused, Neglected, or Exploited →

If You Have Children Under 18

If you’re seriously ill and have children under 18, you can write down who you’d want to raise them. You can usually name your preference in a will or another document recognized by your state.

A court generally makes the final decision based on the child’s best interests, but your written choice can be important. Without it, the court may not know whom you would have chosen.

This is easier to do while you’re still able. Legal aid or a lawyer can help you do it correctly where you live.

Find the Right Kind of Legal Help

You need someone who handles this kind of problem.

Say:

“I need help with a guardianship / probate / Medicaid / power-of-attorney / nursing-home / housing / benefits problem. Does your office handle that?”

Ask:

• Do you handle this type of problem?
• Do you practice in the state and county involved?
• Can someone speak with me before the deadline?
• If you can’t help, who should I call next?

Before you rely on the office, confirm that they’ve agreed to help and who’s watching any deadline.

An intake call or referral doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve taken the case.

If the First Place Can’t Help

Ask:

“If you don’t handle this, who does?”

Ask whether they can help with just the urgent part or one part of the problem instead of the whole case.

Also ask about legal aid, reduced fees, payment arrangements, lawyer-referral programs, or court self-help.

Before You Transfer Money or Property

If Medicaid may be needed for long-term care, don’t give away, transfer, or retitle money or property before getting advice about the rules that apply.

A transfer that seems harmless can affect eligibility later.

Ask:

“Could this transfer affect Medicaid eligibility, and who can review it before we do anything?”

Before You Call

Have what you can:

• notices or court papers
• anything someone has been asked to sign
• deadlines
• names of the people and organizations involved
• a short timeline
• existing legal documents

Don’t put off the first call because something is missing.

Ask:

“What do you need from me now, and what can I send later?”