The New Year is upon us and you may be contemplating a resolution for 2016. Resolutions are generally about making our life better, getting healthier, saving money or reaching a goal. One of the goals you might want to consider making this year is finding and hiring an attorney and taking care of various legal needs. Hiring an attorney to take care of legal matters you’ve been putting off will put your mind at ease about your future, your finances or your business. Here are a few legal resolutions you might consider for the upcoming year:

1. Find an attorney
   The first step to taking care of any legal issues is to find the right attorney for you. Look for an attorney that’s in your hometown. Small firms are great, because you will get individualized attention, but make sure there are attorneys on staff that specialize in all the areas you may need assistance with including estates, business, personal, real estate family and criminal law.
2. Write that Will!
   Many of us put off writing our Last Will and Testament because it seems morbid or it seems like something we don’t need to do until we’re old. The truth is, your family members and loved ones need to be protected by a Will at any point in your life. None of us knows how long we will live, so having a Will prepared by a qualified attorney can put your mind at ease.
3. Protect Your Assets.
   Protect your assets by creating a Trust while reducing the amount of work and time required for end-of-life legal issues.  A Trust can save your estate thousands of dollars in administrative fees and ensure that all of your assets are distributed exactly as you’d like, and nothing is left up to probate.
4. Cover Your Business
   If you own a business, it’s always good to have an attorney you trust on call to review contracts, employee complaints, business transactions and partnerships. Not having an attorney in any of these situations could cost you a lot of money or even your business down the line.
5. Make the Most of Your Real Estate.
   Whether you’re buying a home, selling a home, renting out property you own or taking on a commercial lease, you’ll need an attorney who is experienced in real estate law to help you through the process of closings, writing or negotiating leases. Whether you’re the buyer, seller, landlord or tenant, an attorney can ensure that you are protected and covered under your state’s real estate laws.

Don’t let another year go by without getting your legal needs in order. A good attorney can help make this year your best yet.