Legal Advice vs. Legal Information

The legal field is complete with terms and procedures that can be confusing to the untrained legal mind. There are numerous reasons why an individual would seek legal advice: needing to sign a contract, adopting a baby, buying a home, settling an estate, starting a business, getting a divorce, having financial issues, or finding yourself as the victim of discrimination in the workplace, just to name a few. In today’s society many turn to social media for advice when it is in their best interest to actually speak to a professional.

What is legal advice?

Legal advice is any written or oral counsel regarding a legal matter that could impact the responsibilities and rights of the person who receives it. Legal advice typically requires a knowledge of the law and analysis of the ramifications. Giving legal advice is an essential function of a lawyer and requires legal education. Legal advice additionally creates an attorney-client relationship.

What is legal information?

Legal information can be given by anyone who is knowledgeable about the law. Legal information is simply a statement of what the law is, without any application to a circumstance. With the financial impact of legal services, it is very important to know if you need legal advice or legal information.

Do I need legal advice or legal information?

You should seek legal advice when you have a legal problem and you do not know how to proceed. Legal advice is very detailed and tailored to particular situations. You might seek legal advice if you are being sued, or need to file a lawsuit or if you are faced with a contract you do not understand. If you have questions about whether or not something is legal, you should seek legal information without regard to your specific situation. Legal information will be devoid of any application to a specific circumstance.

While some matters do not require full representation, you should always contact a skilled and licensed attorney if you believe your matter does. An attorney can help you navigate the complexity of your legal problem and help you achieve your goals.