I am going to go to court, in Pro Per?

Question

Is there any advice on how to conduct myself? I am 2 and a half years sober, I am asking for more rights with my 2 children, last year I was grantes supervised visits, The visits went extremely well. I am now asking for unsupervised with joint legal custody. They live out of state . Thank you

Answer 1

First, congrats on working hard to improve your relationship with your children. I am assuming you had regular visits with the kids. You want to show the judge how the visits went. If you can have some wittnesses who supervised the visits talk about them as well it would be helpful. You need to address the judge's concerns that led to supervised visits in the first place. If it was your drinking, then show him how you are staying sober (if you go to meetings tell what meetings and how often, if you have a mentor maybe they can testify on your behalf.)

Getting joint legal custody should not be a problem unless you have a history of not being able to work with your ex in the interest of the children. Joint legal custody means the two of you have to work together on major issues involving the children. If there was any abuse or any issues like that - you may not be able to get joint legal.

Unsupervised visits in another state make judges nervous because there is a total lack of control. You need to show that you have a stable living situation, that you have surrounded yourself with good, responsible people. Most importantly you need to demonstrate that your children are safe with you. It might be good to take or at least enroll in some parenting classes to show the judge how hard you are working to make this happen.

Most importantly - be honest. Nothing will make a judge rule against you faster than the judge thinking you have lied to her. If you had problems in the past, own up to them without getting defensive. Don't attack the other side no matter how attacked you feel. The judge will see through it all.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Congrats on sobriety. The best thing you can do is dress well and be confident and controlled.Honesty is a must in court. The judge will see that and your sincerity.You have a little issue with the 2 states but if all the visits went well as you said then you may have a good chance.Good luck.

Answer 3

Not an easy situation youre in especially if it involves two states. Just act calm and in controlor else the judge will see right thru you. Have the person who helped you with your supervised visits with you as a character witness for you. Explain the situation to the judge and pray for the best. How you represent yourself and your case to the judge is going to determine his decision. In other words youre going to have to impress the judge. He may grant your wish in steps but take with gratitude what the judge gives you as eventually leading to what you want. This may not happen overnight so be prepared to be in this for some time. Glad to hear youre kicking your problem and wish you all the best in court