Has anyone settled a divorce/child custody WITHOUT a lawyer?

J

Joan

New member
Not going to bore anyone with my story..but has anyone done the divorce papers/legal separation without legal representation? I just don't want to get screwed is all. TIA!
Great! Thanks! We have divided our assests and are currently discussing the child custody. I spoke with a lawyer already and he told me about filing myself. Just curious if anyone had much success with that one. Thanks.
 
Yes, it is certainly possible. It requires that both sides be reasonable and keep only the best interest of the child(ren) at heart. It can be done. The final agreement should be vetted by separate attorneys to make sure the terms are fair and equitable.
 
I know someone who used a mediator. It was a stupid decision on her part. The guy had saved up 18k of their money in a hidden account, all the while telling her she was spending too much of the money. He then purchased a new car and told her she could have the older one, told her that he suddenly discovered that they owed 34k in taxes on their house and that the money would have to be deducted from the equity of the home and yet couldn't produce, etc.

What seemed like a good idea to her at the time, she thought all the money would go to the lawyers and if they used a mediator they would both win, ended up being a fiasco. The whole time she kept saying that she had no idea he was so sneaky and devious. When it comes to divorce it is only then when you really see the dark side of a person come out.

The guy was a stingy skin flint when they met and it only got worse when they divorced. If you are going to try and go the lawyer free route, be careful.
 
i guess i would say if there are no assets to divide and there are no kids.... knock yourself out..

otherwise.. never.
 
I have filed for divorce and provided the form from a Legal software program. And toward the end you do want to get an attorney because of the separation of everything and the custody. It will cost much less if you file it yourself.
 
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