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

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I’ve had the privilege of working with Mr. Schwarz on various projects and would be confident in recommending him for any legal services. As a colleague, he displayed respect, integrity and loyalty to his partners. As a professional, he demonstrated incredible competence, skill and mastery of his field. He cares for his clients and their vision and works tirelessly for them to achieve it. Highly recommend.

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Truly so grateful for the care and expertise of Brown Family Law. (Specifically Carren and Daniel) I’ve been going through a really difficult time, and having legal support met with such kindness and understanding meant the world to me. They not only provided excellent guidance, but also made me feel seen and supported. I will always refer people here and am so grateful for the compassion I experienced.

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I cannot recommend Attorney Nicholas Schwarz highly enough! He is extremely professional, responsive, and truly dedicated to his clients. What sets Nick apart is not only his deep knowledge of the law, but also the genuine care and compassion he shows for his clients. He takes the time to explain everything clearly, answer questions promptly, and make you feel supported throughout the entire process. If you’re looking for someone who will fight for you while keeping your best interests at heart, Nick is your person!

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Nick is an exceptional attorney—sharp, reliable, and truly client-focused. He makes complex legal matters easy to understand, responds quickly, and consistently goes the extra mile to deliver results. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of outstanding legal representation.

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I've had the pleasure of being consulted by Attorney Nick Schwartz on a few issues I was having and was very impressed by his knack for breaking down difficult ideas into layman terms for me to understand my options better and make the best moves. He's a hard worker, and seems to really love what he's doing. I really enjoyed his positive attitude and candor while we were strategizing.

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I highly recommend Nick Schwarz as Counsel. He has helped me with multiple legal issues over the years and has never disappointed. He is thorough and communicative. And, most importantly, he truly cares about his clients.

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I had the privilege of working with Nick and his law firm, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. Nicholas Schwarz is professional, knowledgeable, and truly committed to his clients. He took the time to explain every step of the process clearly, kept communication open, and always made me feel like my case was a priority. His attention to detail and dedication gave me a lot of confidence, and the outcome exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for an attorney who combines expertise with genuine care, Nick and his team are the ones to call.

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Attorney Nicholas Schwarz is very personable, passionate, and a great advocate for his clients. Mr. Schwarz has that "grit" to get the job done and is very approachable. His personality and work ethic are truly one of a kind. He is a great lawyer and colleague. I highly a recommend his services if you want competent representation and someone willing to go above and beyond for your case.

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Josh McPherron

Clay Randle at Brown Family Law is a master of clarity in the midst of complexity.

I hired Clay to help me navigate a divorce involving contested marital and premarital properties spread across multiple states. The legal terrain was anything but simple. Valuation disputes, and emotionally charged negotiations. Clay handled it all with precision, professionalism, and a calm that made a difficult process feel manageable.

What stood out most was his ability to distill complicated legal issues into clear, actionable steps. He was responsive, strategic, and always one step ahead in anticipating challenges. I never felt lost in the process—Clay made sure I understood my options and the implications of every decision.

If you’re facing a divorce with significant property concerns —Clay is the kind of attorney who brings both legal rigor and human empathy. I’m grateful for his guidance and would recommend him without hesitation.

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Jason Harmon

I send all my family law clients to Clay. As a lawyer myself, I know how important good representation is. Clay honestly cares about his clients and is a very good strategist. He’s also really funny.

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I’m so grateful for attorney Nicholas Schwarz and paralegal Carren Leavitt at Brown Family Law. From day one, they were ready to work with me immediately, making my case feel like a top priority. Their organization is exceptional, every detail was handled with care and efficiency. Most importantly, their commitment to communication stood out. They kept me informed every step of the way, answered questions promptly, and made sure I fully understood my options.

If you want a legal team that is proactive, organized, and truly dedicated to their clients, I highly recommend Nicholas and Carren at Brown Family Law.

Kysha Jacobs

They got my dovorce going and stayed in contact with me every week. Every step of the way anytime I had questions they were answered fast. They made it so much easier.

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Clay was great to work with! He was very willing to explain everything I needed to know and helped me understand the options on my case. Very easy to work with.

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Jennifer and Dani, as well the rest of the team went above and beyond when it came to my case.
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Greg Misener

Marco and his team at Brown Family Law have created nearly the perfect system for getting divorced in Utah. From the initial intake, to gathering all of the necessary documentation, to the client communication in between. There is so much work that goes into getting divorced, but with Marco and his team you'll always know where you are in the process and what happens next, which is such a comfort. Would highly recommend.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Madison

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Heather Kirby

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Kim Rees

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Marsha Cumming

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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.

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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