Sometimes we will consult with someone and they will ask , can I do this on my own? Usually that’s about cost, more than anything else. And that’s understandable – representation by an attorney can get expensive. But here’s some things to consider before representing yourself:
Pros:
- You can save a lot of money representing yourself. You’ll only be paying in filing fees.
- If your matter is very simple or you and the other party already have an agreement with very limited terms you may be okay representing yourself. However:
Cons:
- You don’t know what you don’t know, and representing yourself can mean making costly mistakes that you end up having to pay a lawyer twice as much to try to fix later — and sometimes it’s not fixable.
- The court is going to require you to follow the same rules so if you aren’t good at figuring out procedures and rules and doing research (just asking ChatGPT will NOT help you, there are even lawyers out there being sanctioned for relying too heavily on that to their detriment) do not go this route.
- You may end up stuck with something you can’t change — if this is about your children or a significant amount of money do NOT take that risk.
Call for a free consult 856-227-7888, Our lawyers will be honest with you about whether this is something you can handle on your own.