Paralegal Services For Consumers
Paralegal services are a form of legal help, where an assistant researches federal and local laws, as well as new laws and tax laws pertaining to your case. It’s the lawyer’s job to construct an argument and represent you in the court of law, but it’s the paralegal’s job to do the behind-the-scenes work and provide attorney advice. If you feel your automobile or your consumer product is a “lemon” or a dud, then you will likely deal with a paralegal most of the time.
Sometimes consumers can avoid the services of a paralegal by hitting up the Better Business Bureau to learn about state laws concerning defective motor vehicles. The BBB Auto Line program has helped more than two million consumers since 1978. First, you can click lemon law on your state page to learn more about qualifying for a refund or trade-in. Then, you can simply file an informal complaint at www.bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws. Once your complaint has been filed, a Better Business Bureau representative will contact you by phone regarding your case. Often times, a reasonable agreement can be reached with the manufacturer or dealer. If not, your proceedings may take you to an informal arbitration, where both sides will then present their views.
Paralegal services are ideal for people who want attorney advice without having to wait a long time for negotiations to take place. Unlike the BBB, a legal assistant will spend extra time and care pouring over the past history of your vehicle and will put pressure on the manufacturer or dealer to act quickly. You may still have to take your car to the repair shop a few more times, but the proceedings tend to happen faster with legal representation. If you are unsatisfied with the offered settlement, the paralegal can then help you litigate.
Paralegal services are optional, but it depends upon your personal preferences. If you have the time to research local laws yourself and the patience to wait through the Better Business Bureau investigation, then you can probably file a complaint on your own. If you’d rather get business taken care of professionally and don’t mind paying a small legal fee from your settlement, then you may want to get attorney advice.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed cure panic attack cures as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medication available at anxietydisordercure.com.