Disclaimer: not legal advice, just money-saving advice.
Did you know that it’s possible to do many basic legal tasks without the help of an attorney in many states?
We recently completed our daughter’s re-adoption, pro se (a Latin term meaning “done myself” or something like that). Estimates to hire an attorney to do this ranged from $800 to $5,000. Instead, we elected to find the county’s required forms and complete the process without an attorney.
We filled in the blanks on the adoption decree in adobe reader and the docket order, and walked them in to the county courthouse with a check for the required amount (side note: we also elected to file in a different county that had lower overall expenses for the process).
This can be done with a number of legal actions such as a quit-claim deed, adoption or even bankruptcy.
It’s been said that “he who represents himself in court has an idiot for an attorney” but I can’t figure out who said that. Perhaps an attorney who’d rather be paid than have others represent themselves? Perhaps by a judge who’s seen one too many legal processes fouled up by pro se amateurs?
The keys to success with pro se legal representation:
- The forms: Most common legal transactions are form-based. The proper paperwork will get you far. Many legal forms are available in office supply stores, or online at websites like www.legalzoom.com.
- The process: County court, state court, superior court, small claims court? Filing pro se isn’t a process for someone who is impatient or not willing to research, but if you are, it might pay off!
What do you think? Would you proceed in legal transactions without the advice or an attorney? I’m happy with how our adoption proceedings went, but I can see how in many circumstances I might not be so eager to self-represent.
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