Appearance shouldn’t matter when it comes to parenting, but it does. The judge might have only 10 minutes or less to make a decision about your and your child’s future. The judge wants you in court so you can be visually observed, so how you look matters.
You researched the forms, the law, and the procedure, and you filed a Petition, or were served with one. Now its time to prepare for the conference, hearing, and/or trial. In preparing your case, ask yourself 3 questions:
1) What do I want the judge to order?
2) Why should the judge give it to me; and
3) How am I going to prove it.
You are getting divorced from your ex, or you’re unmarried with a child, and you’re getting separated. When do you need, and when do you NOT need a lawyer? Are mediators helpful?
The cold hard truth is that if you’re going to court alone and the other side has a lawyer, you’re at a serious disadvantage. Statistics show that the odds are stacked against you and the side with an attorney has a better chance of winning. What can you do to improve your chances and even up the odds? The best way to improve your chances in court is to prepare.
If you can’t afford a lawyer, you’re not alone. The vast majority of people in family court can’t either, and don’t have lawyers – they go it alone. Depending upon where you live or who you ask, the number of self reps can range anywhere from two-thirds to 90 percent. The first thing to ask yourself before you decide to go without you, is will it hurt you? Can you do it?
