When it comes to the legal system, what you don't know can definitely hurt you. Consequently, there are times during your home-based business venture when you should consult a lawyer before proceeding. Think of legal advice as a tool that will help to minimize the risk inherent in running your own business: After all, the upfront costs of hiring a lawyer on a consulting basis will likely be far less than hiring one to extricate yourself from a legal conflict after the fact.