More American Divorcees are Choosing to Represent Themselves

In Omaha, Nebraska, Danielle Nitzel was distraught when her three-year old marriage was coming to an end.  She knew that divorce was the only recourse.  However, she felt hesitant when she realized that it would cost her at least $1,000 to hire a divorce attorney.  So, she did what many Americans are choosing to do these days, she decided to represent herself in court.

"I looked online and just tried to figure out how to write out the paperwork," said Nitzel, a nursing student who at the time had little money and a pile of education loans. "I think it cost us $100 to file it ourselves."

Statistics indicate that more and more people throughout the United States are choosing to represent themselves during their divorces.  Legal specialists say that the number of people serving as their own lawyers is on the rise and the cases are no longer limited to small claims and uncontested divorces.  Now, people are even representing themselves during child custody cases, lawsuits, bankruptcies and other complicated legal matters. 

  
"It's not just that poor people can't afford lawyers. This is really a middle-class phenomenon," said Sue Talia, a judge from Danville, California.

But, is representing yourself a good choice?  Legal specialist would argue "no."  In fact, the court systems have become clogged from the growing amount of people serving as their own attorneys.  The systems have slowed because people who are unfamiliar with the legal system, process and paperwork are now taking matters into their own hands.  Additionally, some pro se litigants are making expensive mistakes that result in complicated, long-term consequences. 

Paul Merritt, a district judge in Lancaster County, Nebraska, said he knows of cases in which parents lost custody disputes because they were unfamiliar with such legal standards as burden of proof.

So, while lawyers may charge large fees for their services, they are in fact professionals who are capable of obtaining the best outcomes possible for their clients.  This is why people who are going through family law matters should always obtain the services of an experienced family lawyer instead of trying to go it alone and making serious, life-altering mistakes.

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