Family Court: How To Represent Yourself | 5 Tips

[@bellum99]

Really .. just have a lawyer .. if she has a lawyer then you will lose .. there a bias against pro se

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

We agree. Choose a lawyer who is qualified, and someone you can trust.

[@angelavalencia5632]

If you don't have a lawyer your screwed you think this is a hearing and you are told that you will end up in jail or never see your kids if you don't agree that day ! Then when you finally learn that you didn't have to agree well things are so screwed kids are adults and now you can't take it back to court screwed forever !

[@deedunn1989]

Chances are the other party won’t have a lawyer either if it’s family court. But if they do, you need one. If not, just make sure you’re more prepared than the other party

[@BudgetFilmmaking]

This isn't necessarily true. Although you're always better off having representation in any court, not having it doesn't guarantee a loss. My child's mother has taken me to court 3 times citing various claims and once seeking incarnation. All 3 times she had representation and I didn't. And all 3 times I won. Just be sure to be honest, logical, have evidence of every key claim, and don't speak unless spoken to.

[@takamusic2242]

@@BudgetFilmmakingmy brother Thankyou so much for writing this. I’m thinking of representing myself in court also. Next month

[@joanofarc1470]

I had a friend who represented herself. She had previously paid a lawyer 10,000 got no where. She went in prepared and won full custody, child support ect. The kids didn’t even have to visit if they didn’t want to. Her ex husband even married a lawyer and she wasn’t able to help him get leverage. I think it’s rare but if your are intelligent and articulate and prepared you can do it

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thank you for sharing this story! We agree that the contributions of the "party" can make a difference. We have witnessed some really great "pro se" people get it done. We also love working with clients that understand they have a role in the outcome. We view our relationship with a client as a partnership - each has their unique role that must be executed on to get the desired outcome.

[@TIOLIOfficial]

Courts are HIGHLY biased towards women. This would have been impressive if the person in case was a man who won the custody of the children. So it's highly unlikely that she won the case because she was very skilled and well versed, but because the system is rigged against men.

[@desigonzalez2570]

I feel confident I can represent myself I just need info alot of info

[@happytrailsgaming]

My best friend just got through a nasty custody battle and she was very close to getting rid of her lawyer because it seemed almost blatantly obvious that both lawyers wanted to hit a certain quota from their clients with doing least amount of drama free work as possible and avoiding court like the plague no matter how serious some of the accusations were (even with proof). Luckily my friend stayed strong through it all and didn’t budge on what she wanted. Over time the other eventually came to agreement but that’s solely because my friend never took the lawyers advice 😂 She was also was awarded an OP from ex’s neighbor who was spying on her and she took that upon herself, representing herself because her divorce lawyer tried to minimize the potential risk or whatever. I feel like when you a clear case, representing yourself properly, a good judge respects that and sees that as someone willing to go to any lengths to receive justice etc. My friend was very respectful, polite throughout, and the court was very patient/helpful to her when guiding her along like what she needed to say (lingo) explain or show etc I know there’s a few bad apples but for the most part I believe this too be true!

[@marksshelfspacecollectibles]

This is about to be me, bro. $20k deep and very little to show except liquidation of assets to live. It’s disgusting.

[@martygt3357]

This advice only works in an honest Court with an honest family court Judge. That is a rare animal!

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thanks for watching the video and adding to the conversation. Can you explain any the experiences you have had with the Court system? Did you run into a judge that was dishonest?

[@martygt3357]

@@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485 !st day in Court with lawyer Judge sets temp. custody and temp. support. I lost my wife's income, the kids, and the judge gave her !05% of my actual income and told me to keep paying the mortgage + expenses. He spent 155% of my pay check. and they called it an agreed order but omitted the agreed wording so I wouldn't know. Judge is friend of ex-father in law. As is States Atty for county. After 5 years of dishonesty I became pro-se and they falsify Reports of Proceedings, lose over 100 pages of pleadings, lose offer/and accepted trial exhibits and all of it recorded in court room but they refuse to follow Illinois S.C.R. 323 c Giving me access to recordings for bystanders report. Brady v Maryland violation If the appellate court heard the truth, they would be in big trouble. The Clerk, and Court reporter are forced to be dishonest by the judges because they serve at the pleasure of the Judge. Ex-wife jurisdiction shopped by leaving county of the entire 9 year marriage to her home town and filed there 3 weeks later. (BUT 6 month residence law to qualify in a new Jurisdiction.) My complaints are not with any laws, It is with Court breaking all of the written ones.

[@martygt3357]

@@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485 Yes, I ran into a courthouse full of dishonest Judges and the few that were honest did not pile on, but they didn't undo any damage. They destroy the record on Appeal, lose trial exhibits both entered and denied, objections gone (so no preserved error) Continous objection harassment, Violated rules of evidence for only 1 party, supreme court rules about discovery, appellate record, and all of the outrageous judicial behavyer wonderfully recorded in an unalterable, encripted recording. (BUT withheld S.C.R. Illinois 323 (c) Brady vs Maryland)

[@ParentalRights.Alabama]

Exactly

[@refinedinfluencephotography]

Paid my lawyer 8k in the last 6 months. They’ve not even got the case on schedule and didn’t accomplish anything. Fired them last night. In my “preparing stage” haha.

[@CruceEntertainment]

I just did the same. Wish me luck.

[@obits3]

The most important thing to remember in any court appearance: The courts are overloaded and the judge is likely going to be in a rush. The bias against pro se is largely because people representing themselves tend to waste the court’s time from the perspective of the judiciary. Lookup the rules of how your judge runs his or her court room. Stick to key legal arguments and the facts behind them. Listen when the judge speaks and keep your emotions suppressed. If you want to be your own lawyer, you gotta act like one to get and maintain the respect of the judge. That said, going to court without a lawyer is like doing a major car repair yourself under a strict timeline. If you can afford it, legal council is the way to go.

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thank you Tom - great contribution!

[@susanphillips-t4z]

This legal system is doomed. AI is in. Bye bye lawyers

[@stingray0033]

Legal counsel seems the way to go but then do many people end up paying thousands and getting almost nowhere. Being charged $195 just for an attorney to send an email to opposing counsel is robbery and an additional stressor. I've had two and now I'm considering going on my own bc I'm just losing money and this is just to get a settlement agreement. I cannot imagine having to appear in court

[@Hz-432Hz]

I wish to God that you were available for Legal representation here in the UK. Thank you for this video, it is of essential help to me. I'm having to represent myself due to not being able to source a Solicitor and I am not at all sure how to go about this.

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thank you so much for your kind comments. We are not aware of any legal representatives in your area, but we hope you can find help!

[@futurehopes]

I liked your points and hope I will keep camb and lichen to the juge and understand the judge. Thank you.

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thank you for watching

[@nicholecornes1915]

Thank you thank you

[@allaynawright8586]

My dad’s going after me for child support and my court date in is 5 days didn’t know I needed an attorney until today and now I’m gonna have to represent myself.

[@XavierP333]

How did your court hearing go?

[@lacarpetronpinkerton9114]

Thank you

[@futurehopes]

I do not have any lawyar, I donot have money to pay. My wife has a lawyar and squsing me as she can? but I love my kids and will leave any things I will have my side for them. pray for me, I am a God fair /respect person. Still I love my ex as much? I love my kids, everyday we talk about the boys. I have a court tomorrow, I just known today. Nothing I prepaied, just documents I submitted by email to court. It is a higher court I feel scared but God will help me. God is my solicitor. God bless us all.

[@idopiseakpanudo4180]

I feel for you bro. How did it go. I am going thru same thing, first hearing on thursday. Wanna share some tips..

[@michaelgoodwolf6117]

I have to go to court next month. I only got the notice last week and I had to pay some money to legal aid. They contacted one lawyer who decided not to represent me due to not being enough time before the date of the trial. Legal aid said they are still searching to find someone to represent me despite what the lawyer from last week. SO either way I feel like I am being taken advantage of.

[@FatherX2022]

I think settling out of the court is almost always the best option. But it's important to settle for something that is in the best interests of the child. If a judge is rubber stamping the mother for temporary custody without regard to the best interest of the child, it makes it very difficult to mediate with the mother because she won't give up her superior position granted by the court. So in those cases you may have to stick to your guns and go to trial for an outcome in the best interests of the child, where you become the primary caregiver. Mediation becomes difficult when the court gives the mother all the leverage. It happened to me.

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

We agree that goals sometimes can only be reached by having a judge make the decision.

[@TheJessehart05]

Thank you.

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thanks for watching!

[@JermaineReid-w7n]

Hi I'm Tony very good information and very appreciated now i have a question on what grounds can the biological father non-custodial parent get his visitation Rights petition from family court in New York Bronx to Bronx Supreme Court if he has not had visitation address before custody was decided and he was mislead that the visitation petition trial would be virtual but was changed to in person without his knowledge and he didn't receive notice in writing and he did a motion under statute (5015)(a) for excusable neglect or mistaken and the family court judge have deny the motion to set aside the dismissal for nonappearenc and grant relief to recalender his visitation petition to be Heard does this rise to due process or procedural violation if the biological father has not have any visitation in over 2 years and the ex baby mother is clearly cause alienation of the minor child

[@MikeStarr-lw5ol]

There is a lot of pressure to represent youself. There is only one day in court and if you screw up or say the wrong thing for some reason then you will lose. Especially if the judge is yelling at you,, shaming you and being biased and acting friendly to the opposing lawyer as if they know each other real well. Its not fair to go in without a lawyer. I went in without a lawyer, I paid my contribution to legal aid but still dont have a lawyer. I asked for it to be adjourned and next thing they are trying to force me to pay child support after it got agreed upon to adjourn the case until I have a lawyer. I didnt even know we would still have a trial after I asked for a adjournement. I am screwed up because of this. The mother is already withholding my child from me and the judge approves it. The judge said they wouldnt look at my affidavit that I prepared myself. I got treated like garbage and I didnt have any comfort trying to speak my mind to the judge.

[@ost_biglosoyt3121]

Hey I can’t afford a lawyer just wanna see my son .. I’m going fight the best I can

[@brandonbeach8943]

I feel you....

[@chrisom4699]

Should I put emphasis on the "H" when saying "your Honour" ??

[@John_Wood_]

just call them "you Clown", it normally gets a chuckle from them and disarms them...

[@joannthomases9304]

What if you are an american or a non-civilian...i am not non commisioned officer as any civilian nor in the armed forces.

[@MikeStarr-lw5ol]

The judge wants me to communicate to the other lawyer to see my daughtwer and I have to tell them who I want to be the third party to watch us and the lawyer would then communicate it to the mother. Its fucked up in the sense that I can be legally be around anyone without supervision except for my daughter and I always felt like my daughter had love for me in the past but now I cant even see her without supervision, but anyone else without supervision its ok for me to be around them.

[@JustinSwimberlake5236]

Designed to demoralize and castrate us as men/fathers. This system is horrendous.

[@BuBoNiCcHrOnIc91]

helpful advice thanks

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thanks for watching!

[@fffrfrw]

Do you not think that the legal system that you are trying to respect is flawed?

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thank you for your comment. The legal system is not perfect, but it is the only legal system. What things in the legal system would you like to see improved upon?

[@preamstream]

@@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485 can you file a complaint against a judge In family court who you think Is Bias and not handling your case correctly

[@rickrick3545]

@@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485 how about the way family court judges aren't held accountable decide based on whatever they want and have no oversight like a jury trial court

[@r0ngasm]

@@preamstreamI think you can.

[@tomsannicolas2443]

Compromise…that took place in the Garden of Eden. See how that ended up. But, yes I do see compassion and fairness is important and on the other hand, is God’s Word and Will.

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Thank you for sharing. Yes, compromise can be tricky. In some cases, you do have to look at "the long game". Here are some important questions to ask. What goals is one trying to achieve, and does this "intermediate compromise" help to achieve that long term vision?

[@ClaudBol]

I did hire an attorney and he screwed me. He saw a case were he could could just milk me for money

[@Made_in_Rome]

That's exactly what I'm going through. Unfortunately I'm going to have to represent myself in court... im in the hole 15k and got nowhere

[@buenam8778]

Same here. I had 2 attorneys already for my current dirvoce case and all the did was scan papers and charged me about 6k each. Now I have to represent myself to court while my ex has an attorney. Don't know what to do.

[@CruceEntertainment]

Our stories are all the same

[@De-tw7by]

Most attorneys screw the case and make it worse. Mostly they use divide and rule technique.

[@CruceEntertainment]

Absolutely, more money that way,

[@owljamandcreate]

I'm at poverty level income and cannot afford a lawyer for representation. My situation is complex but the opposing side has the money to pay for a lawyer who is using gaslighting and manipulative tactics knowing I do not know all of the laws and procedures of the court in my state. I don't believe in a JUST system anymore. I believe winning is paid for, not earned. It's not good vs evil, right vs wrong; It's MONEY vs NO MONEY. It's truly sad!!!!! Just to add another little note: I've been observing other court hearings trying to best equip myself. I'm noticing the chatty banter between the entire community of lawyers and judges. It doesn't sit well with me and I am wondering who else feels the same about this system.....

[@basicprogrammer6147]

My wife got an order of protection against me because I blocked her mother's phone number from calling our home phone because it rang out loud, and she (her mother) refused to use cell phones. The judge granted my wife a 1 year order. The year is coming up. Will the judge automatically grant my wife's request to extend the order?

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

If you did not have an attorney represent you in that matter, you may want to consult with an attorney in your location to see if the order of protection can be "reviewed".

[@FatherX2022]

Wow...if they hand out orders of protection for that...we are all in trouble.

[@MikeStarr-lw5ol]

Its hard to represent yourself. The judge will scream at you and be in acahoots and friendly with the lawyer. They will eat you alive even though you dont have a law degree or experience in this.

[@grunthostheflatulent2613]

ANYONE who represents themself in court has a fool for a client..!

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

Needed this laugh, thank you!

[@WTGingam]

I did better. I paid over 100,000 on lawyers and it didn’t matter because the family court system is corrupted and side with mothers.

[@Hashim-G]

This was a waste to watch nothing tangible at all

[@FatherX2022]

Are you still in the middle of a custody trial, too?

[@hawleykaufmankautzersclaw5485]

We do appreciate the feedback! It helps us to give better value in a new video.

[@basicprogrammer6147]

As part of the divorce settlement, we both agreed to sell the marital home and she would have sole possession until it was sold. Now, neither of us wants to sell it. Could I move back home? Christ has abandonded me. I was a bad person. We have two very good, healthy, and smart children. My daughter scored a 29 on her ACT and is Phi Theta Kappa at a major university in her freshman year. My son is a 3 sport athlete and honors student in high school. He speaks, reads, and writes latin and plays the cello. My ex wife is a beloved school teacher. I am nothing. I have no savings. I want to reconcile, but I am an underemployed loser. I do not want to be here anymore. I wish that I could vanish and no one would remember I was here. I am thinking of a very large forest. I do not know what to do. I wish that I had been a better person. I do not know why Christ has abandonded me. I am going to hell forever.

[@CruceEntertainment]

If you love your children, make sure you let them know. They will forgive you, Christ will too, and then you can forgive you. Do not worry if your ex wife forgives you. Who cares if she does. She is history.

[@JustinSwimberlake5236]

I hope you are well. Please reach out to someone for help.