question about court.

imleeann

so i have a  court date coming up and i do not have a lawyer..

long story short:
basically i dont talk to the sperm donor at all. im going to court to get full custody on paper. i doubt he is going to show up anyways since he didnt show up for the paternity test and makes no effort to talk to me, i really dont evem think he knows his own sons name or birthday.. i havent told him because he hasnt asked so why tell him? 
im just nervous as what to expect when i go. i no i should get a lawyer.

 so for my question..

Q1: what happends if you dont have a lawyer

when it comes to court related things im completly lost.

thanks !!

ShanJosh777

First of all, your son is adorable!

Second, nothing will really "happen" if you don't have a lawyer. I'm sure a lot of people don't. Like everything, I'm sure it varies by state, but the first time X and I went, we just met with a mediator and I didn't even take my lawyer (although I had discussed everything with her in detail) because X and I had an agreement and we were basically just going to make it official. I guess it was a little risky because technically he could have changed his tune when we got there, but my attorney felt I would be okay and she was trying to save me her $200/hour rate for her to basically sit there and watch the mediator type up our agreement, her travel time, etc. which I appreciated her being honest with me about. It all worked out. So if your state works that way, and you meet with a mediator first, and your child's father doesn't show anyway, I think you will be fine without a lawyer if you can't afford one.

However, I would still recommend calling around for an attorney. My attorney offered a consultation for I believe $100, which she then applied to my retainer when I decided to hire her. But even if I wouldn't have, I got so much information from that initial consult, it was well worth the money. 

imleeann

ShanJosh777:

First of all, your son is adorable!

Second, nothing will really "happen" if you don't have a lawyer. I'm sure a lot of people don't. Like everything, I'm sure it varies by state, but the first time X and I went, we just met with a mediator and I didn't even take my lawyer (although I had discussed everything with her in detail) because X and I had an agreement and we were basically just going to make it official. I guess it was a little risky because technically he could have changed his tune when we got there, but my attorney felt I would be okay and she was trying to save me her $200/hour rate for her to basically sit there and watch the mediator type up our agreement, her travel time, etc. which I appreciated her being honest with me about. It all worked out. So if your state works that way, and you meet with a mediator first, and your child's father doesn't show anyway, I think you will be fine without a lawyer if you can't afford one.

However, I would still recommend calling around for an attorney. My attorney offered a consultation for I believe $100, which she then applied to my retainer when I decided to hire her. But even if I wouldn't have, I got so much information from that initial consult, it was well worth the money. 

 

 

thank you very much!

well i guess depending on how it goes ill look into getting a lawyer.

but thank you for the information!