Unemployed Father seeking legal help

[Sparkle52682]

Currently seeking help/direction in how to proceed with divorce. The ex withdrew from mediation. She contacted an attorney and drew up divorce papers but will not file. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place not sure where to turn. I need an attorney but am unemployed and can't afford it. South Jersey Legal services won't help, law schools aren't doing pro-bono work and the courthouse doesn't have any blank forms. I don't know how to proceed from here because she doesn't want to file. What do I do?

 

[army judge]

Currently seeking help/direction in how to proceed with divorce. The ex withdrew from mediation. She contacted an attorney and drew up divorce papers but will not file. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place not sure where to turn. I need an attorney but am unemployed and can't afford it. South Jersey Legal services won't help, law schools aren't doing pro-bono work and the courthouse doesn't have any blank forms. I don't know how to proceed from here because she doesn't want to file. What do I do?

I'm not sure what you're asking.

You said she has an attorney, the attorney drafted divorce proceedinsg, but refuses to file them.

Then how could an attorney help you?

Do you want a divorce and she doesn't want one?

Find out what court serves your couty, an dGoogle your state and county.

You locate that, you locate the court and their website.

The online website should provide pro se legal templates.

Here are a couple pro se NJ divorce sites.

They might be helpful.

The first one is your NJ official court information site.

http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/prose/

http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/nj/njdivexpln.htm

http://www.njdivorceonline.com/

 

[Sparkle52682]

Short version....

"Wife" and I were going to mediation but she withdrew.

She has told everyone she HAS filed but when I ask her directly she says she hasn't filed yet. I know she has an attorney and has a draft in her possession going on a month now (she told me this) and hasn't yet filed.

I need representation and the avenues I thought existed don't. South Jersey Legal Services both verbally on the phone and in-person last week told me they no longer handle civil matters.

She is going to contest custody, I can not afford an attorney. I have 3 written statements giving me full custody of the kids and a court order which she signed also giving me custody via a filed court case (4 total giving me custody).

I need help. I can pay what I can pay which isn't much but I know without an attorney I'm going to end up getting myself into trouble and will improperly use what I have, say something stupid or wrong and be ignorant of what to file and how to file it.

I was looking for direction, in the form of legal aid or an assistance program, where I can get advice either by actually representing me, or consultation advice to point me in the right directions to be "smart" about being pro se.

 

[army judge]

Short version....

"Wife" and I were going to mediation but she withdrew.

She has told everyone she HAS filed but when I ask her directly she says she hasn't filed yet. I know she has an attorney and has a draft in her possession going on a month now (she told me this) and hasn't yet filed.

I need representation and the avenues I thought existed don't. South Jersey Legal Services both verbally on the phone and in-person last week told me they no longer handle civil matters.

She is going to contest custody, I can not afford an attorney. I have 3 written statements giving me full custody of the kids and a court order which she signed also giving me custody via a filed court case (4 total giving me custody).

I need help. I can pay what I can pay which isn't much but I know without an attorney I'm going to end up getting myself into trouble and will improperly use what I have, say something stupid or wrong and be ignorant of what to file and how to file it.

I was looking for direction, in the form of legal aid or an assistance program, where I can get advice either by actually representing me, or consultation advice to point me in the right directions to be "smart" about being pro se.

These are tough economic times.

Legal assistance funds (for civil matters) were limited before this depression we are experiencing.

The first website might be of value.

Otherwise, keep searching for legal help.

You were exploring the right avenues (law schools, legal clinics, etc...).

No one is required to attend mediation.

Everyone is entitled to their day in court.

Most legal assistance is for criminal defendants, landlord tenant matters, and some help for senior citizens.

There are very few lawyers that represent divorce litigants.

Some lawyers will do it pro bono, but they don't advertise that fact.

These sites MIGHT be helpful:

http://www.probononj.org/agencydetails.aspx?SponsorID=1

http://www.njsba.com/probono/

http://www.probono.net/oppsguide/organization.135677-Legal_Services_Of_New_Jersey

http://www.militaryprobono.org/new_cases/