Are there times some inventors should just file an application?
Yes. A professional, who works in the field of the invention full-time follows the work of competitors very closely, can usually produce a full description of an invention that is accurate and will not be be subject to later revisions. They, however, are reluctant to use the rule because of first inventorship issues. But there are times, such as when it is financially or technologically impossible to wait or the competitive climate will not allow time for reduction to practice. There is also situations where an inventor must file because of a statutory bar date, such as the publication of the idea in trade journal, nearly one year earlier. It is in these types of situations that a patent attornet is the most valuable. Only a professional can prepare and file an application on very short notice. Also note that while the U.S. has a one year grace period, many foreign countries have none at all.
