The basic answer, unfortunately, is that when it's apparent that you need an attorney, you almost always needed to have one yesterday. Anything you expect to

The basic answer, unfortunately, is that when it's apparent that you need an attorney, you almost always needed to have one yesterday. Anything you expect to be legally binding, or that might wind up being dealt with in court someday -- such as incorporation, contracts, partnership agreements -- should be looked over by a lawyer. You'll most likely save yourself time and money in the long run if you meet a lawyer and develop a relationship long before you think you need to -- because that way, when you do need a lawyer, you'll know who to turn to and your lawyer will have some idea of who you are.