What Happens if You Go to Court Without a Lawyer?

Sure, you can go to court without a lawyer, just like you could do your own root canal. It’s a good idea to go to court yourself only if you know the divorce laws of your state and have enough experience in helping friends and relations out with their divorce, alimony, child custody, child support, and other such family law matters.

But if you do not know divorce laws, and if you decide not to hire a lawyer for your divorce, please know that you will likely mess up your case, and you’ll likely mess up dividing marital property, accurately calculating alimony and child support, creating a parenting plan, deciding on child custody matters and visitation rights, and more.

In simpler terms, if you head to the courts without a lawyer, you are putting your financial, physical, and mental health at great risk. You may save a couple of thousand bucks on legal fees but end up sacrificing extra hundreds of thousands of dollars in property distribution, child support, and alimony – and maybe harm your health in the process.

Then, after you have gotten gamed in the courts – perhaps because the other spouse acted rationally and hired an experienced family law attorney – you may decide to hire a lawyer and pay his fees and hope that he salvages whatever remains of your case.

Working without a family law attorney, in most divorce cases, is a huge risk and a bad idea, and we urge you not to do that.

With that said, there may be cases wherein the conditions are such that you can consider completing your divorce without hiring a lawyer.

Situations that Suggest You Can Skip Hiring a Lawyer (DIY Divorce)

Both spouses are on good terms, are transparent with each other, and have mutually decided to divorce.
Both spouses are in complete agreement regarding every term of the divorce (alimony, child support, child custody, visitation rights, property distribution, etc.).
Both spouses know about the family’s finances and broadly understand divorce laws.
Both spouses are likely to remain friends after the divorce.
Neither spouse is dependent on the other for financial support.

That said, every divorce can have an element of acrimony and bitterness attached to it and the conditions described above may be present only in the rarest of rare cases. Even if there is a 0.1% doubt that the conditions mentioned above will not be fulfilled, the spouses must consider hiring a lawyer.

Now, here are some situations that strongly demand you hire a divorce attorney:

Situations that Suggest You Must Hire a Lawyer

There is some disagreement (no matter how little it may be) regarding the terms of the divorce.
One spouse is not in favor of divorce.
One spouse has a mental health issue.
The marriage was earlier rocked because of substance abuse, misconduct, or domestic violence.
Both spouses do not trust each other.
The marital issues (child custody, property division, etc.) are complex and need expert legal intervention.
One spouse is not aware of the family finances (assets and income).
One spouse will be dependent on the other spouse for financial support after the divorce.
One spouse has already hired a divorce lawyer.
One spouse does not have a broad understanding of how divorce laws work in the state.

If your situation falls somewhere in the middle, then you may have an opinion that you are likely to succeed without hiring a family law attorney. And, as Plato once remarked, “opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.” So, if you are in a 50/50 situation, then too you must consider hiring a divorce attorney.

Finally, remember that while you may try to save on time and money by going in for a DIY divorce, it is a legal matter and therefore needs expert legal opinion and skills.

About the Author: Keith Bruss

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY AND WHY

Check out what some of our real life clients had to say about working with Brown Family Law

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Mack

I would give them 10 stars if I could. Clay was professional and super organized. He took the time to explain everything. I would highly recommend him for any family law needed. Melanie was a godsend. She not only kept me continually informed of the progress, she sent texts of encouragement and support throughout the entire process. I would give her 100 stars for going above and beyond to make this experience less stressful. Her encouragement and genuine caring were comforting and calming. The entire staff at Brown Law are on your side and if you are lucky enough to get Clay and Melanie on your team you will not be disappointed. Thanks! Mack M.

Response from the owner:Wow, thank you so much. Melanie is great. Glad she helped you so well.

Alex Rogers

Nathaniel was an incredible partner throughout the divorce process. He was organized, responsive and respectful of my wishes while simultaneously giving me guidance and advice. I would recommend him to anyone.

Christie Cisneros

I couldn’t have made it through my divorce without Clay and his team! I am forever thankful for the hours and time spent with me to help navigate an extremely difficult time in life. They’re reliable, knowledgeable, and know how to get things moving in an efficient manner. Nothing but good to say here!!

Halie Bates

Working with Daniel Young at Brown Family Law was a truly positive experience during one of the most difficult times of my life. From the start, Daniel was knowledgeable, compassionate, and incredibly responsive.
If you need a family law attorney who combines expertise with empathy, I cannot recommend Daniel Young enough. He is a true advocate and a credit to Brown Family Law.

Jessica Lance

Nathaniel and Carren have been absolutely incredible to work with. They kept me informed and in the loop throughout each step of the process. They always answered every question I had in a very quick and timely manner. I could not recommend them more.

Amy Christensen

This 5-star review is for Nathaniel Garrabrandt at Brown Family Law. Nathaniel was just what we needed. He helped guide us with a level of professionalism, efficiency, and genuine care that made a real difference during a challenging time. He is always thoughtful and respectful, and he never makes you feel like just another case. His communication was clear (with regular check-ins), his advice was solid and uncomplicated, and I always felt that he had his client's best interest at heart as he made suggestions. I’m grateful to have had such a capable and compassionate attorney to work with. You hope you never need these kind of services, but when you do, you want the best... and someone with high integrity. Nathaniel truly deserves all 5 of these stars, in every way.

Kenzie Murphy

Russell Yauney was my attorney at Brown Family Law. Throughout the process, Russell and his paralegal Conor, were extremely helpful and patient. They were highly responsive, thorough, and most importantly: did not make me feel insignificant or embarrassed for asking clarifying questions. Russell made himself available and whenever he wasn't, Conor was. The Friday Phone Calls were reliable and I knew I could expect an update each week. The firm's texting abilities also made it easy to send a quick question/concern if I ever needed it. Russell was a fantastic attorney and guide to have throughout my situation. I highly recommend this firm.

Denney Watson

This law firm went above and beyond for me and my case. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing a good lawyer for custody issues.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Denney. So glad we could help.

Madison

Carren is absolutely amazing! Made things easy and always was helpful explaining.

Heather Kirby

Shout out to Carlos! Very nice, and knows the value of good legal representation.

Jesse Jensen

Jennifer and Dani did a wonderful job handling my case. The communication and accessibility were top notch.

Kim Rees

Brown Family Law is very professional. They use their phenomenal expertise to manage every case with care. I would highly recommend them.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Kim. Glad we could help.

Marsha Cumming

Very thorough and on top of dates and timing for various documents.

Brandon Roush

My attorney Andrew Christensen was great! He was very helpful while being realistic and upfront with me at the initial consultation. He did a great job of guiding me and answering any questions I had throughout the whole process. My paralegal Carren Leavitt was also very helpful. I appreciated her weekly check-ins, for the aid she provided, and the questions answered.

Sam Scholes

Clay Randle provided exceptional support and counsel. He was patient, knowledgeable, and thoughtfully addressed my many questions and concerns. Thank you very much!

Suzy Scheuermann (Suzy)

Paul and Dani were incredibly communicative, educational, willing to work with our unique circumstances, and took the whole process from complicated and overwhelming to simple. Highly recommend!!

Jared Stensrud

Nathaniel was very personable and listened. He is also incredibly knowledgeable, effective, and efficient. Brown Family Law is a pinnacle of law firms.

bjenness79

I highly recommend Nathaniel Garrabrandt and Brown Family Law. If you are going through a divorce and your parental rights are being falsely challenged they are a great option. Nathaniel and Brown family law are professional, very knowledgeable, and know how to navigate within the broken and biased Utah family law court system. They were highly communicative throughout the process. They can potentially save you a lot of time and money if lawfare is being waged against you.

Barbara Thayer

Could not help with my case but referred me to someone who could .

Trisha Caldwell

Clay Randle was great and I would highly recommend him for an attorney.

Danny Caine

Russell was my Lawyer at Brown Family Law. He helped me through my multiple cases after my divorce. He was very responsive whenever I had questions about my cases or understanding how the law works. Russell was respectful of how he used my retainer and always gave me good sound advice even if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I highly recommend his services if you’re looking for a top notch Family lawyer! 5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Joseph Hutto

I recently engaged Andrew to review my divorce decree that was finalized in another state. He gave me excellent advice. I did not feel pressured to proceed one way or another. Instead, he gave me very reasonable scenarios to consider and allowed me to proceed down the path that felt most comfortable to me.

Natalie Warner

Clay Randle with Brown Family Law was excellent! I love the way the procedures with this company are organized. The attorney calls every Friday to check in with you so there’s no phone tag. Questions are answered very timely every week. Clay was very prompt in responding to emails. He was also great to “read the room” or the situation rather. Throughout the divorce, where grace was extended and healthy negotiation prevailed, he appeared to navigate the process in a calm and skillful way. I could see how he definitely had the capacity to respond in a more contentious, emotionally charged way if needed. He encouraged healthy boundaries with the splitting of assets and he understood both sides of what could happen if asking for a specific thing in the divorce. During a painful situation, Clay was able to crack some (tasteful) jokes and tried to keep a heavy situation feel a little less heavy. Couples seeking a divorce would be wise to choose Brown Family Law. They will be in great hands.

Dusty Boyer

I wholeheartedly recommend Andrew Christensen to anyone facing a divorce or custody battle. His passion and thoroughness as a divorce and custody attorney are truly exceptional. You’d think his name was on the firm’s door with the way he handles business—pouring his heart and expertise into every detail, even though it’s not his firm! From our first meeting, Andrew went far beyond a typical consultation, taking the time to listen, understand my situation, and craft a strategy that led to a successful outcome in my custody case. His dedication, compassion, and meticulous approach make him stand out. If you need an attorney who will fight for you like it’s personal, Andrew is the one to call!

Natalie Sorensen

I absolutely believe that Brown Family Law is the best divorce attorney law firm in Utah. Attorney Ray Hingson did a fantastic job for me in a complicated divorce. He was there to guide me through the entire process. Ray touched base with me every week AND every time I called with worries or concerns. He handled things confidently and professionally. He took time to meet with me and explain everything so I could understand it. I felt like he really cared and wanted to do his best for me. His paralegal, Carren Leavitt, was also extremely helpful. All I had to do was pick up the phone and call her and she arranged a time for Ray to call me right back. She was always prompt and caring. I couldn't be happier!

natalie schaat

Anne and Josh are Fantastic!!

Libbie Duarte

I couldn’t have done it without Nathaniel Garrabrandt and the Brown Family Law truly the best experience and people to work with thank you!!

craig layton

Brown Family Law is likely the most outstanding Family Law office in Utah. They care deeply about each client, responds quickly to every client question and concerns. If anyone is in a situation of divorce and/or child custody, I highly recommend this office to assist you with your rights. They stand firmly behind their clients.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Craig.

Jeremy Newman

I can’t say enough good things about Clay Randle and Katrina Redd. They were both incredibly professional, responsive, and knowledgeable throughout my case. Their experience and advice were invaluable, and I truly appreciated their support every step of the way.

Gary Mackelprang

Daniel was patient, efficient, professional, and kind. Brown Family Law was easy to work with and very competent. Highly recommend.

Manuel Yauri

Muchas gracias, professionales. Me ayudaron con mi caso, gracias.

Taylor Sink

Leilani Whitmer was my attorney for mediation day at the provo 4th district court on May 9th and absolutely knocked it out of the park. She made the process so smooth and easy I'd recommend her for any family law issue you could possibly fathom.

Anna Lynch

Clay Randle is absolutely amazing, well educated, knowledgeable lawyer. He’s approached, always makes sure you’re on the top of the situation and very helpful. I’ve had a pleasure working with him and I recommend him as your top notch attorney.

Ron Hales

Brown Family Law has been wonderful to work with! Extremely knowledgeable and professional. Clay went the extra effort in everything he did for us. Couldn’t be more pleased!! I highly recommend their services.

Luke Switzer

Marco is beyond insightful!

Daniel Tafur

Great support, Russell and Connor were amazing and got my case dismissed in only 2 months. Great communication with weekly calls. Easy to work with and were very conscious on not overspending my budget. Great team.

Response from the owner:Daniel, thank you for the kind words, and happy Russell and Connor did well for you.

heather saris

Anne Greyson long was great to work with she really listens and fights for her clients thank you so much for all your hard work

Response from the owner:Thank you, Heather. Glad Anne-Greyson helped you so well.

Chris Porter

You get what you pay for, and the Brown Family team is worth every penny. We truly appreciated their team-based approach, making sure that every detail of our case was thoughtfully handled. They were incredibly easy to work with, kept us informed throughout the process, and made sure no question ever went unanswered. By far the best family attorneys I’ve worked with, and the only ones I’ll call if I ever need legal help again.

Response from the owner:Chris, thank you. Glad we were able to guide you through your process.

Joselyn Cortes

Andrew made the whole process smooth and quick! Kept me updated on any changes, and followed up with me constantly!

Made me feel at ease throughout the whole process and made sure I felt seen/ heard!

Response from the owner:Joselyn, thank you for the kind words.

Suzanne Stevens

David Handy is my attorney and he is excellent. He understands my cases and is well informed to defend my needs and the needs of my kids. He is supportive and compassionate. Telling me how things are and what to expect. He does very well with my high conflict cases (protective order and divorce). I highly recommend him and the Brown Family Law firm. Everyone I have talked to is helpful. Especially Conor Schetzel who is currently the paralegal on my cases.

Response from the owner:Suzanne, thank you and glad David has taken care of you.

Jaren Harmon

Nathaniel Garrabrandt and Brown Family Law is where I send people who are seeking Divorce. Highly professional and compassionate. Thank you!

Response from the owner:Jaren, thank you for the referrals.

Meghann Christensen

I cannot say enough good about my experience with Brown Family Law. Ray Hingson and paralegal Carren did an excellent job with my case. I will definitely use this firm again for any legal issues.

Response from the owner:Meghann, so glad Ray and Carren took good care of you.

Monica Cooper

I have worked with Andrew Christensen many times in a variety of situations. I am very impressed with his friendly demeanor in a difficult situation. I would highly recommend him to you without any reservations.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Monica.

What Happens if You Go to Court Without a Lawyer?

Situations that Suggest You Can Skip Hiring a Lawyer (DIY Divorce)

Situations that Suggest You Must Hire a Lawyer

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY AND WHY

Check out what some of our real life clients had to say about working with Brown Family Law

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