Harry Guilmont asked:


My sister’s husband is going to initiate divorce proceeding’s against her. Can she contest the divorce without the services of
an attorney?

OLIVE

12 Responses to “Is it possible to contest a divorce without an attorney?”

1. Mr. Brightside on September 21st, 2008 6:27 pm

   Yes but her odds of winning are not going to be in her favor.. especially if he has an attorney already.

2. mahrye on September 24th, 2008 1:36 pm

   absolutely. You don’t need a lawyer to go through with a divorce.

   I didn’t have an attorney, and I ‘won’. It probably didn’t help him that he showed up to court drunk, but a win is a win, right?

   Attorney’s are only necessary (and that’s still debateable) when extremely large amounts of money/assets are being fought over. But, for all of the normal people, all lawyers do is drain you more - put you further into debt.

3. KittyNyc on September 27th, 2008 9:20 am

   Why are u trying to force him to stay with somebody he doesnt want to be with.
   Thats weird..let the guy leave if he isnt happy

4. hotmoma on September 30th, 2008 2:22 am

   Yes she can she needs to go to the court house to fill out the necessary paperwork. Although I would recommend getting an attorney especially if there are assets, debts, and kids in the picture.

5. RetroRanch on September 30th, 2008 5:17 am

   Sure it is. She’ll lose.

6. TG on September 30th, 2008 11:22 pm

   You never have to have an attorney. I would never handle anything legal on my own though…whos going to do a better job? Me, who has no legal experience or an attorney that does this kind of thing daily as a job and has years of schooling?

   I’ve never heard of contesting a divorce…if one person wants a divorce then there really isn’t any stopping it. The only real way to stop a divorce is to get the person wanting the divorce to not want a divorce anymore…I guess I don’t get how you “contest” it…

7. rrm38 on October 2nd, 2008 12:04 pm

   Yes, but she really does need someone working with her who is familiar with the divorce laws in her state. She could really get messed over if she doesn’t fully understand everything. If it’s a matter of the cost, she should contact the legal aid department in the family court in her area. Even if she doesn’t qualify for them to represent her in court, they can and most often will sit down and help her to understand the documents and guide her in completing what she needs to do on her end.

   Really, the only thing she can contest is the terms of the divorce. If she’s trying to stop it altogether, she’s better off not spinning her wheels. If he files, it will eventually be granted.

8. shrekster2 on October 3rd, 2008 12:53 pm

   My divorce was 8 years ago.I had an attorney and my ex wife didn’t.She left with what she owned.I kept the house and the kids…Hope that helps a little.

9. Sue B on October 6th, 2008 9:52 am

   yes she can. There will be instructions for her to do as for a response.

   if there’s alot or any property to settle, she’s better off getting an attorney. if there’s no property then it should be ok.

10. rhsaunders on October 8th, 2008 5:41 pm

    In general, it is no longer possible to contest a divorce at all. The partners may squabble over the settlement (and legal help can be useful here), but if either wants out, the marriage is history.

11. tony_le12 on October 11th, 2008 9:02 pm

    IN the eye of the law you Entitle to representing yourself in court.

    Question: What make she think she know the law better than an educated and practice lawyer? Because, she will go again his lawyer.

12. Lela A on October 15th, 2008 5:16 am

    Yes, she can do it on her own with assistance from court staff, check at a law library and learn how to do it online.