This system is so busted. My heart breaks for those on here going down the court road for the first time. Don't do it if you can avoid it.
I know I have posted this before but I am thinking of going it alone again. I don't qualify for LA (despite a very low income). I have self-repped on one matter and was quite successful but my ex was also self-repped.
In a nutshell, I have paid upwards of 5K and have not been to court yet. For somebody like me, this is an insane amount of money. This despite pushing my lawyer, giving her all the ammo she needs and being really focused and well-organized. I am in a worse position now vis a vis the status quo than I was six months ago when I started. My lawyer agrees to every delay by opposing counsel, won't call them out on conflict of interest, won't ask them in writing for anything, and I just feel (correct me if I'm wrong) that they collude to suck up all the equity in your house. Nothing has been done in what I would call a timely fashion and I am not given any strategic advice on which to base my decisions. Furthurmore ex's family is paying his bill.
I feel like this money would be better spent enjoying the time I have with my kids and I am robbing them of that... I just want to move on. I am tired of telling my kids I can't afford this and I can't afford that. I know what probable outcomes would be and my "worst case scenario" isn't that bad. Duty counsel is very helpful and I am competent enough to deal with non-procedural matters.
I am just very frustrated and based on talking to others I know and on this forum I have come to the conclusion that those who settled w/out a lawyer in court or out have moved on with their lives, are less stressed, and have less debt than those who went to court with a lawyer, despite "winning".
Those who self-repped, what is the level of success
and what percentage of your time did it take up ?
Is it possible to find a lawyer who will just advise on "courthouse" stuff and not require you to take him/her to court or communicate with opposing counsel? If so, how would you deal with that kind of relationship on court documents? Would a judge look askance on that?
I would just like to add that this forum and its "regulars" are the best! Because you offer what people in this situation need....hope! I hope someday when I am settled to help out too. Right now I will do my best but feel like I am just flailing around myself....
I know I have posted this before but I am thinking of going it alone again. I don't qualify for LA (despite a very low income). I have self-repped on one matter and was quite successful but my ex was also self-repped.
In a nutshell, I have paid upwards of 5K and have not been to court yet. For somebody like me, this is an insane amount of money. This despite pushing my lawyer, giving her all the ammo she needs and being really focused and well-organized. I am in a worse position now vis a vis the status quo than I was six months ago when I started. My lawyer agrees to every delay by opposing counsel, won't call them out on conflict of interest, won't ask them in writing for anything, and I just feel (correct me if I'm wrong) that they collude to suck up all the equity in your house. Nothing has been done in what I would call a timely fashion and I am not given any strategic advice on which to base my decisions. Furthurmore ex's family is paying his bill.
I feel like this money would be better spent enjoying the time I have with my kids and I am robbing them of that... I just want to move on. I am tired of telling my kids I can't afford this and I can't afford that. I know what probable outcomes would be and my "worst case scenario" isn't that bad. Duty counsel is very helpful and I am competent enough to deal with non-procedural matters.
I am just very frustrated and based on talking to others I know and on this forum I have come to the conclusion that those who settled w/out a lawyer in court or out have moved on with their lives, are less stressed, and have less debt than those who went to court with a lawyer, despite "winning".
Those who self-repped, what is the level of success
and what percentage of your time did it take up ?
Is it possible to find a lawyer who will just advise on "courthouse" stuff and not require you to take him/her to court or communicate with opposing counsel? If so, how would you deal with that kind of relationship on court documents? Would a judge look askance on that?
I would just like to add that this forum and its "regulars" are the best! Because you offer what people in this situation need....hope! I hope someday when I am settled to help out too. Right now I will do my best but feel like I am just flailing around myself....
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