i have a P.O.S of a husband who has landed himself in prison (has been there since Aug 06 until Aug 08) and i tried to work things out but i just can't do it anymore, i have finally got the courage to leave a mentally and phyically abusive relationship... i have two kids with him, one being almost 6 and the other almost 1 1/2, i am a single mom trying to just make ends meet right now, so the cheapest way to get a divorce would be to do it myself, because the cheepest lawyer around here is $900 (uncontested divorce of course) plus the filling fees for our county is $260 which is a GREAT price and if i could afford it i would do it but i can't afford it... so my question is do you think it would be wise to do it myself?? has anyone else filled for divorce themselves??
2007-09-12 08:13:16 · 13 answers · asked by Michelle 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
i did my divorce myself.... but my situation was much different... we didn't have any children..... it was mutual.... and he was very busy and didn't mind me handling it because his time wouldn't have been compromised.... i do suggest you get a lawyer or some type of legal advise... because in my divorce i asked for alimony and he defaulted... so i would have gotten it.... but i didn't know how to follow up... in the end i just left it alone and took the divorce as being reward enough cause i could support myself... but you have children... so it is a lot more confusing.... i don't know how it is in your state but here(nevada) if children are involved you have to go through extensive steps... so if i had children i would have definitely gotten a lawyer.... try making a savings account where you can set aside money for this matter.... in the mean time try researching a do it yourself legal separation.... good luck and sorry for your misfortune....
2007-09-12 08:40:07 · answer #1 · answered by chrysteena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should shop around a little but you need legal representation especially since there are kids involved and there will be custody issues and child support issues. You can probably get the attorney to let you pay the fees over time. Also a lot of areas have free legal aid, check your listing to see if you have that in your area and also some firms do a certain amount of pro bono work and you sound like a good case for them to do that with. Ask, all they can say is no and those are not the cheaper firms, they are the more expensive ones.
2007-09-12 19:42:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legal aid or save up to get a lawyer. $900 bucks!!!!! is a total shock must be something to do with the fact of serving him his papers in prison or the kids because that is an @ssload of money for an uncontested divorce.
I'd hate to go through all the work only to find out years down the road that I did something wrong and I'm still married to the jerk.
2007-09-12 15:36:22 · answer #3 · answered by gypsy g 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have never been through this before, but I would assume that you want to get a lawyer. What happens when he gets out of prison and trys to fight to get the kids back or something? Hopefully all of that could be fixed beforehand by getting a lawyer.
As expensive as it is it would pay off in the long run to get a lawyer so you do not have to worry about the fight. I am really sorry you are going through this and hope it all goes well...Good Luck!
2007-09-12 15:30:57 · answer #4 · answered by mom2abigsis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way here is to do yourself. Your husband seems unfit father and you have uncontested divorce at hand which may require one signature. It would probably cost you $300. to complete all the divorce procedure and come out with a divorce degree. You know one thing with the lawyer is that hey ask too much money for something that is already ready solved and one they get that money they do absolutely nothing specifically important that you wouldn't do it yourself. There is nothing here to worry about and do it yourself.
2007-09-12 15:26:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you are willing to do the leg work and research the laws you can do it yourself. i did my own custody issue (and it ruled in my favor, everything i requested). you have to read all the forms, front to back and get yourself familiar with the wordings. do you know any friends who have had their own divorces, request to look at their papers. that's how i learned to do mine. your local library should have some self help books as well. keep in mind the $260 is just the filing fee. the response will also be $260. then you have the OSC hearing fees, process serving fees as well. so look into filing a fee waiver. you may be required to pay a percentage, but then you might qualify to pay nothing.
it takes a lot of hard work on your part, but it's worth it. and do keep in mind, because he is in jail there may be a different set of process serving rules.
good luck
2007-09-12 16:08:25 · answer #6 · answered by Isabella S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to women's resource center and ask if pro bono legal aid is available. As for the filing costs, if you have no money the court is required by law to let you file at no cost. Am surprised to hear they didn't tell you about this option. You fill out a form for no fee filing is all.
2007-09-12 15:43:43 · answer #7 · answered by acmeraven 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's not going to contest it do it yourself. There are lots of great sites online that will prepare the paper work for you and it won't cost you a arm and a leg. If he's going to contest it not sure how since he's in jail but if he does then you'll definitely want a lawyers.
2007-09-12 15:22:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I did my own divorce, I came home to my wife in bed with another man....walked out, went to the library and filed for divorce the next day........didn't have a problem, so if you are careful....it can be done
2007-09-12 15:49:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer they know better than us
coz they been handling our case many many times
2007-09-12 15:18:51 · answer #10 · answered by NY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋