| most people understand that an attorney is the best | | | | attorney. You should also get one if one of you has |
| way to go, sometimes there are reasons that you | | | | worked during the marriage while the other one |
| can't employ the services of one. Perhaps you can't | | | | stayed at home to take care of the children, go to |
| afford to pay an attorney and need to decide | | | | school, etc. The attorney helps to fight for your |
| whether you can just represent yourself. If you're | | | | rights and without one, you may not be able to |
| trying to make your decision about representing | | | | prove your case well enough to receive your fair |
| yourself or hiring an attorney, use the tips and | | | | share. |
| suggestions below to help you decide. | | | | If there have been any other problems, such as |
| What Kind of Cases Are Best to Represent Yourself | | | | abandonment, child abuse or neglect, refusal to help |
| In? | | | | monetarily or similar problems, you will also need to |
| There are a few different cases that don't actually | | | | hire an attorney. It's an old saying that the man who |
| require an attorney. For instance, if you and your | | | | represents himself has a fool for a client. This can be |
| spouse were only married for a short time and you | | | | true in cases where disputes will need to be solved, |
| both have comparable salaries. Also, it's best if the | | | | compensation will need to be pursued and child |
| two of you have accumulated little during your | | | | custody will need to be determined. In these cases, |
| marriage, or you've already decided who gets to | | | | try your hardest to obtain a lawyer. |
| keep what. On top of this, it's even better if the two | | | | What to Do If You Can't Afford a Lawyer |
| of you have no children together or have absolutely | | | | Ask your court clerk for information on lawyers who |
| no problem with the other parent staying involved in | | | | operate pro-bono. He or she may be able to provide |
| the child's life. Often times this sort of situation can | | | | you with further resources on how to obtain a |
| be taken care of quickly as there will be a limited | | | | lawyer even when you can't afford to pay. There |
| amount of conflict or disputes. | | | | are other organizations that help individuals obtain a |
| When Is It a Bad Idea to Represent Yourself? | | | | lawyer too, such as Legal Aid. Find this organization or |
| The general rule with this is if you and your spouse | | | | similar ones in your state and call them. They may be |
| will have conflicts or disputes, you will probably need | | | | able to help you get a lawyer to represent you in |
| an attorney. If you have been married for a while, | | | | your divorce. |
| accumulated many things during the course of your | | | | Use the tips and tricks above to help you determine |
| marriage or you have children and will not agree on | | | | whether you should represent yourself or find a way |
| child custody matters, you will definitely need an | | | | to get an attorney. |