As a single mom, it can be very tempting to avoid the expense of an attorney. A single mom might hate the thought of handing all that money over to a lawyer you will only see for a handful of minutes every few months, when you happen to show up in court together. Do you really have to pay the cost of an attorney to handle child support payments, alimony, or other issues that might come up with your child’s father? Or can you handle the single mom legal issues on your own?
The question of single moms representing themselves in court is a tricky one. If you have access to mediation services, those might be your best bet, as they are meant to help you through the process while avoiding a long and expensive court battle. But if you do have to go to court, and you decide to go it alone, the best thing you can do is educate yourself. Choose a few basic law books that explain court procedure in layman’s terms. Look to court clerks for advice on which forms you might need and why. If you have the opportunity to talk to a law student, ask for their advice on what you should do, and on how to handle court procedure. Explain to them that you are a single mom who needs legal help, and they will point you in the right direction.
Keep in mind that many judges will understand your desire to represent yourself, and they will provide a bit of leeway for you in the courtroom, but not much. Other judges might not be so kind. So it is very important to have all your facts straight and know exactly what you are fighting for in the court system, especially if you are a single mom going up against an ex with a high-powered attorney.
If you do want to handle your legal woes yourself, keep in mind that you might not have to go to court at all. If you are very good at negotiating, you might be one of the 80% of cases that winds up being settled out of court. However, be sure that all the fine print of your settlement is crystal clear, and that there are no loopholes. Even if you do choose to go it without an attorney, this might be the point where you choose to hire an attorney to simply look over the paperwork, which can cost much less than actual court representation.
Single moms can cut corners here and there, but if the situation pertains to custody of your children, it’s best to bring in a legal expert. When you are dealing with child support, alimony, and things that involve money, you might be able to negotiate a settlement or an agreement, but when it comes to custody, the welfare of your children is at stake in a way that it wasn’t before. Custody cases should always be brought before a judge by an attorney who is ready and willing to fight on your behalf, and knows all the ins and outs of the law. If you can’t afford an attorney, talk to the legal aid office about what they offer for cash-strapped single moms.
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