cant afford a family law attorney?
Lauren L asked:
My spouse left me abruptly and I was a stay at home mother, so, I have no money to call my own. we have a 2 1/2 yr. old. I need to know if I hired an attorney, would he legally have to pay the bill for the attorney? he has a great family attorney that is well payed and He said if I had a states attorney or even an outside attorney that since he pays his attorney so much Ill get “screwed”. (his words) what advice does anyone have.
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My spouse left me abruptly and I was a stay at home mother, so, I have no money to call my own. we have a 2 1/2 yr. old. I need to know if I hired an attorney, would he legally have to pay the bill for the attorney? he has a great family attorney that is well payed and He said if I had a states attorney or even an outside attorney that since he pays his attorney so much Ill get “screwed”. (his words) what advice does anyone have.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:26 am
There should be a Legal Aid in your County. Find them and call them.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:42 am
represent yourself
June 1st, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Of course your spouse is going to try and intimidate you into not getting an Attorney. However, I seriously doubt he will be looking after your interests if you listen to him and decide not to get one.
You should contact a Family Law Attorney in your area immediately. Many Attorneys will agree to a consultation meeting. In this meeting you can discuss the possibility of filing paperwork with the court that would obligate him to pay your legal fees.
Whether or not you have any chance of achieving such a thing depends heavily on the specific laws in your state as well as the specifics of your individual case - which is why you need the consultation.
However, be prepared for the possibility that you might be able to ask for attorney’s fees and be denied; be prepared as well for the *probability* that you would have to pay some kind of fee ‘up front’ to retain your Attorney in the event that your request was denied.
Again, though, remember that your spouse’s threats are predictable and laughable. As well, remember that a considerable amount of ‘his’ assets are actually community property - as well as a portion of whatever income he is currently using - so eventually you WILL have some money with which to pay an Attorney. If you are in any position to borrow any money (family, friends) or even put it on a credit card, it will likely be well worth your time to get professional representation.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 pm
If there is disparity in your income, the Court can make him pay your attorney fees. Call your state bar and get into their lawyer referral program. Do NOT let him talk you out of an attorney with these threats.