First, if you have no experience handling such works, then you should hire a lawyer that specializes in IP right away. The first thing they will do is perform an IP audit, which is, they will try and organize all the intellectual property you have and own and try to make sense of it. If you have a list of IP and everything is organized, then great, you may not need an IP audit! However, if you don’t have any experience with IP you will still need a professional. Different types of IP have different needs. Thing like patents and copyrights may have to be renewed or at least registered properly every few years. Then there’s the job of actually having to enforce your IP rights. Of course, your ultimate goal would be to make money from the IP you own. IP lawyers can help you find the best way of making money off your intellectual property through selling them or licensing them.