REPRESENTING YOURSELF AND SUICIDE
What do they have in common?

There are a growing number of websites offering folks involved in divorce, child custody cases, and false allegations cases various "kits" to help them represent themselves. Some contain books; some have audio or video packages that come with them. Some even offer T-shirts, caps and coffee mugs. Some of them are offered by fringe dweller lawyers with failing law practices, some by disbarred lawyers and others by plain scam artists. All of them are a prescription for disaster. Whether they are offered for $9.95, $19.95, or something higher, folks you need a real LAWYER! Any advice to the contrary is bad advice.

The law varies greatly from state to state. The law varies from time to time, what was law in your state last week may be changed today. Representing yourself in a matter as important as a divorce, a child custody dispute or a false allegation cases is beyond mere idiocy. It is world class stupidity. These issues are complex enough that not just any lawyer will do, much less somebody completely ignorant of the law and legal procedures such as the typical lay person. Tips are fine, but that is all they are, tips.

What we offer on this web site should never be taken to replace the advice of a competent licensed attorney. Every case is unique and needs to be reviewed by a lawyer. Even the advice alone from a lawyer isn't enough. You need that lawyer with you through the entire legal process. The "tips" we offer here are meant only to prompt both you and your lawyer to go in the right direction on your legal matter. We need something more than a simple disclaimer here; we need you to understand that a little knowledge can be disastrous. The information here is intended to be used by an expert lawyer, what we want you, the lay person to know, is what should be being done in your case. But lawyers must exercise independent professional judgment.

You need to know that in these cases representing yourself is akin to suicide. Nothing you could do could be as bad. Even a bad lawyer is preferable. No kit no matter how gifted the author should ever be considered to replace expert legal representation. The ideal is a "Team" approach but in every case, please seek out the help of a real lawyer. Contact the county bar association where you live and if you can't afford a lawyer, they can help you find a free lawyer from their Pro Bono panel. But please don't try brain surgery on yourself. If you can, hire the A-Team. If you can't afford the A-Team try to find a lawyer you can afford but please don't fall for any cheap kits or boiler plate form scams. Even if offered by somebody representing themselves as a lawyer. Some have been disbarred for good reasons. Protect yourself; make sure that those who advise you are really qualified to do so.

Credentials matter. Certification matters.