If you are faced with a situation that needs legal attention, you basically have two options: handle the matter yourself or seek professional legal help.
Representing yourself in a legal proceeding may hold some initial appeal due to the cost of hiring a lawyer or your interest in taking control of the situation. Before you decide to handle a legal matter yourself, however, review the section on Representing Yourself to assess whether you are ready to handle the matter and whether you have access to the resources you will need to succeed.
If you are considering handling the matter yourself, be forewarned that a seemingly simple issue can quickly grow complex. In most situations you will be better off hiring a lawyer, who will assess the merits of your case, explain your options, and help you achieve the best result.
If you decide to seek professional legal help, you can hire a lawyer directly or, depending on your situation, request legal assistance from a nonprofit legal assistance organization such as Legal Aid or the Citizen Media Law Project. See the sections on Hiring a Lawyer or Nonprofit Legal Assistance for more information.
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