Pro-Se representation

[rjones2008]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

My ex boyfriend and I are in a cutsody battle for our 9 yr old daughter. We both are going Pro-Se. This isn't the first time we have been to court battling for custody. This has been going on for about 3 years now. We both at one time had lawyers and then I chose to go Pro-Se this time and then so did he. His previous lawyer dropped him the last day of our trial stating she was no longer representing him. She and I went round and round and she definately took a personal dislike to me as I was tough on her verbally. Now my ex is filing motions pro-se that don't look anything like his one previous motion (document) his motions (documents) consist of lots of legal terms and formatting. I as a layman can tell the difference in his first document and now the current ones. At a pre trial last week we were asked if we were being represented and we both answered no. I then left the court house and saw him going into and coming out of his previous lawyers office which is across the street from the courthouse! Can he actually get legal assistance and have them type up his motions then he pick them up and sign off on them and file them as if they were his own work (Pro-Se)? Please I really need help on this so I know if I need to go and actually hire another lawyer.

[FlyingRon]

Just because you go pro se doesn't mean your ex can't get legal assistance.
Just because he appears pro se during court/hearings doesn't mean he can't get legal assistance in preparation. This isn't high school where you get in trouble for having someone write your term papers for you. Legal filings are not scholarly work and I'm sure the lawyer got paid for their efforts.

As to whether you need a lawyer, that would all depend on the issues involved. I'd at least consult with one (as your ex wisely did) even if you choose not to have him represent you before the judge.

[rjones2008]

Thanks for your much needed response. I really appreciate you taking your time out to get me an answer.

rjones2008