what should i do if i can't afford an estate planning attorney?

Here's how to find legal help if you can't afford a lawyer: Contact the city courthouse. Seek free lawyer consultations. Look to legal aid societies. Visit a law school. Contact your county or state bar association. Go to small claims court.

Full Answer

Contemplate Your Options

Before you go to court, consider how confident you are about representing yourself. Many free legal aid organizations can assist you with handling related cases like the Jensen Family Law – Mesa.

Research

You will be entering a world of information during the course of your case. You’ll need to have extensive knowledge of the laws related to child custody and divorce. The more aware you are about what the court is asking you to do, the better prepared you will be.

File a Petition for Custody

To file for child custody, you must fill out a Petition and Order for Custody. You have to state the grounds on which you are seeking custody. Read the petition carefully and check that all boxes are filled correctly to avoid having your case dismissed.

Serve the Other Party

Each party has to serve their spouse with the child custody petition. You will be expected to serve your spouse outside of court on several occasions during your divorce or custody process. Serve them when you can, even if you think it might be risky.

Attend Hearings

When you file for child custody, you ask the judge to enter an order that will determine your rights to see your children. That means attending hearings is essential in the process. Attend court hearings even if you are not there representing yourself.

Be Prepared

Bring detailed notes about any meetings with your spouse and other adults involved in your case and work closely with everyone involved during these conferences. Be sure to mention in your notes any inconsistencies or inaccuracies in what they say. It most definitely won’t be an easy process, especially when you’re representing yourself.

Phillip William Gunthert

Very sorry for your loss and the passing of your mother,please accept my condolences at this difficult time. You will want to contact a Florida Probate Attorney and some will work with you based on your circumstances and needs.

Michael B Cosentino

First, I am sorry for your loss. Second, I would suggest that you go to the clerk's office of the probate court where you live to seek assistance. Most courts have what is know as the "lawyer for the day." They will be happy to assist you.#N#More

Howard Marshall Rosenblatt

Ms. Foster has given you excellent advice. Contact legal aid in your county and they should be able to help you.

Hollyn June Foster

First and foremost you need to start the probate right away so that the homestead exemption stays on the property. If you wait you will lose the homestead exemption.

Thomas Allen Neil

You don't have options. There are no free lawyers because lawyers can't make a living working for free and they would soon be out business if they did. Which would help no one.

Heidi Sue Frankel

The first thing you might want to do is contact the local courthouse and see if they have a family law facilitator. Many of the courts have a free service which will help you at no charge. Some of the Courts also have several programs where family law attorneys volunteer their time and offer free advice. check this out.

Paul Anthony Eads

Every county should have a legal aid or a self help center for low income or indigent people filing for custody etc.

Brenda J. Russo

Unfortunately you are correct, there are very few pro bono services available in this area. I can assure you that we lawyers hate it as much as pro per litigants. That being said, you can ask the court to award you attorney fees from your ex-husband if he has funds available that you do not.