Every day Americans make purchasing, contractual and everyday decisions that can have dire consequences on their financial, mental and physical well-being. But how can you tell if certain situations require legal consultation?

There are many decisions you may not recognize as legal situations. For example, have you ever bought a cell phone? This normal situation may seem arbitrary, but you are signing a legal document that not only grants you a cellular plan, but it protects the interest of the cell phone provider…so it might be helpful to decode all the fine print. Hidden fees, payment options, insurance disputes…all these possible conflicts can be prevented if you have an attorney review the contract before signing.

The common misconception is that you only need to visit an attorney when you are in trouble; that is not always the case. Here are the top ten other reasons you may need to consult an attorney (in no particular order):

1. You decide to buy, lease or sell a car.
2. You own your own small business or are starting one.
For startups, it is wise to consult an attorney before opening so they can review your business structure, legal ramifications and other issues that can protect the growth of your business.
3. You are buying or renting a home or you receive a foreclosure notice from your bank after a late mortgage payment.
4. A neighbor’s dog bites one of your children.
5. You are claimed in a job-related or civil lawsuit against you.
6. You’ve received a motor vehicle violation such as a ticket or police want to unlawfully search your car. Even minor violations can be handled more effectively with legal counsel.
7. You open a bank account. There can be hidden fees and stipulations which you may not recognize.
8. You want to draw up a Living Will or revise your current Will.
9. Creditors are constantly contacting and harassing you.
10. You are in a custody battle with your children.

Before the situation gets heated, you may want to consult an attorney so you don’t make unwise decisions which could affect the final outcome.