Most lawyers provide advice and legal opinions, negotiate settlements, and draft documents rather than appear in court. Trial lawyers, also called litigators, are those who do represent clients in court. A lawyer may be needed for situations like buying a home, starting a business, divorce, adoption, writing a will, signing a large contract, dealing with accidents, criminal charges, or being a victim of discrimination. If unsure if a lawyer is needed, people can call their local bar association for guidance. Lawyers can be found through referrals, yellow pages, legal directories, or advertisements. Those who cannot afford a lawyer may qualify for assistance from legal aid in civil cases or a public defender in criminal cases. Lawyers typically charge hourly fees