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Why It Is Risky To Represent Yourself In A Family Case

by Gene Vasquez

When you must go to court to fight for custody or to represent yourself in divorce proceedings, you might be tempted to represent yourself. After all, you might feel that you understand your case better than anyone else. However, there are several reasons why this can be a huge mistake. 

You May Lose The Case

When you try to represent yourself in court, the biggest risk is that you will lose the case. This can happen when you fail to meet the technical requirements of the case or if you do not follow the required court procedures. Simply not knowing the correct court procedures will not be seen as an adequate excuse. 

You Must Spend Time Preparing

You will need to spend time learning about family law. This can be difficult if you are also busy earning a living and if you do not feel naturally inclined toward the study of law. You will have to follow all of the same court laws and rules as an attorney. You will also need to make sure that all of your documents arrive in a timely manner. If you live a busy life, you may not be able to make this happen.

The Discovery Process Is Difficult

One of the most difficult steps in handling a family law case is the discovery process. This is where you uncover all of the documents that are relevant to your case. You will also need to find all of the documents that are relevant to your case as well as all witnesses. If you do not have a document or witness available that the court would expect you to have, you will be more likely to lose your case.

You May Struggle To Maintain Composure

Even if you come to a court case properly prepared, a lack of experience can make it more difficult to win your case. It is easy to become nervous during such an important part of your life. You may also feel a lot of hostility toward the other party or toward the courtroom itself. However, you must not let this hostility show. If you are hostile or rude, the attorney will bring this to the attention of the judge and this can hurt your case. Fortunately, there are family law services are experienced with family law cases and will be able to properly conduct themselves with composure in a manner that will increase your chances of winning.

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