More people forgo lawyers, represent themselves

(This article presents a good argument for why litigants should seek mediation over litigation)

Billy Williams already had spent $7,000 on attorney fees getting a divorce when he decided to act as his own lawyer for a custody dispute involving his 13-year-old son.

Williams figured he could save this time around by representing himself, but he left the courtroom feeling frustrated after Cobb County Superior Court Judge Lark Ingram interrupted him several times for not following proper court procedures.

The judge granted primary custody to his ex-wife. Williams felt he was at a disadvantage because his wife had an attorney; he didn’t.

“She had the upper hand; there is no doubt,” Williams said. “I’m sure the judge kind of went in her favor because of the lawyer.”

State court judges across the country report that more people like Williams are acting as their own attorneys in civil matters. The trend is a cause of concern for a judiciary that is having to become more efficient because of state budget cuts. State funding to the courts in 2009 was at its lowest level in recent history. County and municipal governments also have frozen or cut court funding in the wake of declining tax revenue.

via More people forgo lawyers, represent themselves  | ajc.com.