My husband & I seperated in July & I could not at the time get my son to leave with me. He's 6 & his dad is verbally abusive to the female's in our family - me included. My older son is picking this up & is verbally abusive already at 11. I really need to get my younger son away from this environment, but I am not sure what to do. I have a small disability check each month to live on & legal aid said it would be 3 to 4 weeks before they would even process my app to know if they even COULD help...My situation feels hopeless, yet I love my little boy with all my heart & want him with me!
Are there papers I could file on my own without a lawyer, or can you be your own lawyer (that's scary, but it"s a thought!)
Or what are the legal helpers that help out attorneys - - starts with a "P" - - how would I find one of those that may work cheaper?
Any help or ideas out there?
Thank You!
2006-10-27 05:18:08 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Hmmm, in the UK, unless a court has ruled otherwise, you both have joint custody - and as such, you are as entitled to collect the child and take him home from school just as much as he is.
HOWEVER
On a more practical note, the hassles and unpleasantness that this may involve - and the fact it will impact on your children, might make this a most unwise way forward.
Are you wanting to take the child away from the father completely? Are you planning on equal access? controlled access?
You could certainly do worse than contact the Citizens Advice Bureau, they may be able to refer you to solicitors that WILL give a faster respons re: legal aid - and may even give you an appointment with a solicitor who would give you a half hour meeting for little/nothing. (Used to be a scheme like this, not sure if it still runs).
You may then be in a position to decide what you wish to do. There may indeed by things you can do without legal representation BUT this may prove most unwise if you end up in a "me - v them" situation.
2006-10-27 05:29:50 · answer #1 · answered by Mark T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pro bono. I think that's the type of "p" lawyer you are thinking about. It's the kind of lawyer that takes a case for little or no pay, "pro bono" meaning, "for the good of the public" or something like that.
You can petition the courts for custody of your son without a lawyer. You can go to court representing yourself as your own attorney.
My best advice then, is go to the courts, ask them for the form to petition for custody, and document the crap out of everything with your soon to be ex-husband. Make a huge documentary of things he has said and done to you and/or your children that you believe is abusive in one way or another. Make a huge list of why you should have custody of your son and not the father. You might want to make it a point to the court that you might not necessarily mean take the kid away from his father completely, but that you should have more of the physical custody.
You don't have to have an attorney. Just go to the court in your area and ask them for the form to file for custody and represent yourself. If you can make a case for yourself and prove to the judge that you are the better parent, chances are you will win with or without an attorney.
2006-10-27 05:22:42 · answer #2 · answered by jennnnn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The P you are referring to would be a paralegal and yes you can find one that may work for you. I had a friend who recently went through the same thing with her husband and I will tell you what she did. She represented herself. She got a library card, checked out some books on child custody and legal matters, studied every night, put together a speech for the judge and walked out of court with her children. So anythings possible. If you think you can't do that, then keep looking for that paralegal. I wish you all the best and good luck.
2006-10-27 05:28:12 · answer #3 · answered by Concerned 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is a law school in your area, they should have a legal aid service. Also, there are pro bono attorneys (they work for free). Call your county Bar Association and ask them for information about getting one.
Please don't delay. The longer your child is with his father, the harder it is going to be to convince the Court that there is a need to modify custody.
Be sure to spend as much time with your son as possible and make records of these visits.
A paralegal can prepare the paperwork for you but cannot represent you in Court. DON'T TRY TO REPRESENT YOURSELF. That would be a terrible mistake.
2006-10-27 11:22:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
honey i am in almost the exact same spot! my ex is verbaly and emotionaly abusive to me and my son. he is neglectful, cruel and selfish. we seperated and i hit a rough spot with work and a new b/f who was also abusive...i fell into drinking and such and my ex took my sweet gorgeous baby. i cant afford a lawyer but i can afford a paralegal who knows all the legalese and the best way to handle all of the paperwork. they are about 1/3 to 1/4 the price of a lawyer. also call your local bar association and find out if the have attorneys who do work for people who do not make much money (reduced means)....they have reduced fees and such!
2006-10-27 05:26:47 · answer #5 · answered by christine a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you are looking for is called a pro bono. They help usually based on your income. If it's low enough you can recieve their help for free. You also might want to check around with lawyers too. Some will do pro bono work as well. Others will help you with the fact that they can put in the case work that your ex would have to pay for all the court costs. Not you. Expecially if you can prove that his fianaces are more stable than yours. Good luck to you and your son.
2006-10-27 05:21:56 · answer #6 · answered by mshellrosie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the Bar association, sometimes lawyers will do cases on Pro bono. and then their are some lawyers who will do cases on a sliding scale. Yes you can represent your self, in court. You need proof, tape recording of how abusive your husband is, would work. or some kind of proof. You are thinking of a paralegal, that does work for lawyers!
2006-10-27 05:26:18 · answer #7 · answered by roseannetb@verizon.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do not understand who informed you that you may want to no longer get legal help. you need to bypass to legal help and/or The kinfolk court your self and ask for suggestion. asking for suggestion is loose. i'm no longer particular if being "Sued for Custody" is the ultimate legal terminology both -- right here that's termed "Residency Order" ie. who the youngster lives with, and who's given important Parental responsibility. quite regularly that's the mummy searching on how old the youngster is. If a newborn is 12yrs or older, distinctly a son, then that's even as the courts would evaluate the daddy, searching on the daddy's circumstances and the youngster's desires. the important aspect is - do not panic! and get your self some moral help (from kinfolk and acquaintances), and sound legal suggestion. don't be hectic away or sense intimidated!
2016-10-16 06:40:04 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cost of Court application plus low income legal aid. Maybe the court can waved the application fees.
Without any lawyer no chance to win.
For free privet attorney???- up to him, good luck .
2006-10-27 05:25:16 · answer #9 · answered by Toto 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their called, Paralegals. Their cheaper, but your best way is to let Legal aid help.
Can you go to Social Services and have them do visits to your hubby's? Let them do an evaluation on him and the home and etc.
Have you got proof it's a bad enviroment for him to be at his fathers? Don't waste time, get ALL your evidence in order, before it's called for, so there isn't court hold ups.
2006-10-27 05:24:03 · answer #10 · answered by peggin_beast 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋