Choose your lawyer

Similar to how illnesses often necessitate the treatment of a doctor, legal issues often require the expertise and guidance of an attorney. Like medicine, law is complex, specialized and constantly evolving. Understanding laws, as well as legal systems and processes, not only takes years of studying and an advanced degree. It requires continuing education to ensure that attorneys are aware of new laws and stay abreast of changes to existing laws.

Although the increasing availability of legal services on the internet has made it easier to access basic legal information, these services are no substitute for the expert advice of a licensed, local attorney. Typically, online legal services offer only national perspectives, whereas local attorneys are able to provide clients with court-specific, regional insight and the personalized guidance needed to resolve a particular legal issue.

While self-representation in family law matters may work for some, studies show that representing yourself, or “Pro Se” (the official term for legal self-representation), can result in costly mistakes and unfavorable outcomes. Consider these findings:

• Studies examining family law cases have shown that individuals who have no legal representation often give up claims for important resources such as maintenance and child support.
• One study focusing primarily on custody and divorce cases showed that legal representation was associated with an increase in the odds that alimony and/or sole custody would be awarded to the represented parent.
• Among Coloradans who file pro se on divorce cases, two out of three must return to court due to clerical errors.