getting a court appointed attorney

[KAMIAKI1]

What is the name of your state? Washington State

If one has been served with papers regarding child support and all that that goes with it in the beginning stages of divorce, is there a way to get a court appointed attorney when you see the judge?

My friend is a low income mother of 4 youngs ones. Her ex is slamming her with these ruthless declarations. She has called CLEAR for legal questions but they are not of much assistance to a person that needs a hand to hold thru this mess!

She has court on the 30th and is walking in there alone. Does she also need to do a notice of appearance?

Thanks so much

 

[Star43]

mediator in the courts

In MA, you cannot use a court appointed attorney for a divorce, only criminal charges. She should of probably tried to get legal help through legal aid although they are usually bombarded with cases...........When she goes to court there is usually a mediator that will help you to agree on issues before you go in front of the judge, The judge wants everything agreed to as much as possible before you go in front of him. If they have children, she can go in to court herself, file for child support, if he has a stable job, she can show what he makes, they can take it right out of his paycheck by wage assignement. I did all of this and more by myself, then hired a lawyer to put together an agreement, yeah it cost me $4000, he never had a lawyer. But, I got physical custody, child support etc on my own. Right now, we are still waiting to go to court as my husband cannot make it to the court ordered parenting classes. My lawyer is doing something about this now as we speak. Good luck......Ma is a good state for women and children.....I think she should make a few calls before court.

 

[KAMIAKI1]

Thanks for your reply. I was just thinking about a thing I read on line for Washington yesterday. It was in regards to the For Kids Sake class. Not sure if it has the same name where you are! But over here only one parents needs to go thru with the class to get a divorce. Both are suppose to but it won't hold up your divorce as long as one of you go to it. You should check that out. You may be paying your lawyer for unneccessary actions.
See my ex was able to get a court appointed attorney but that was because he failed to pay child support and they were trying to get him on contempt charges. So I wasn't sure how it works.
Again, thanks for responding! At least someone did ha ha ha!!

 

[VeronicaGia]

Contempt of court can be a criminal charge if someone has high arrears. She will not be able to get a court appointed divorce attorney.