legal advice

I remember years ago, I was working with a nice fellow from the Philippines who could barely speak English and who acted scared as hell of going to court because of it! One of the things that I do most often is act as a kind of cheerleader trying to convince father's that they "can" do this as long as they're prepared. It doesn't matter if you can speak English or not, or even if you're scared as hell. If you're prepared, in writing and package your case correctly, you'll do as well as anyone.

So, this guy spends a great deal of time writing up a responsive declaration to a restraining order that his wife is trying to obtain against him. He also responds to her false and/or grossly distorted allegations involving parenting and divorce, serves everything correctly...to all the right parties and files everything correctly at the different departments of the court. He goes to court with the following strategy.....he says to the judge, "Your Honor, I'm a little nervous today, so I've taken the time to put everything I have to say in writing. If you have any questions, your Honor, please ask me."

Well, here's what happens, because the guy spoke very little English, acted nervous and had the "guts" to be there in the first place, the judge actually began helping him out...actually jumping on his side, chewing out the "X" wife for bringing such an outrageous request before the court and scolding her for trying to keep the kids from him. The judge not only gave him what he wanted, he asked if it was enough! True story!

Now most of you reading were either born speaking English or are very fluent speakers. If my client can win his case and he can barely even understand basic English, imagine what you can do!

But if you want to remain too scared to try, that's fine. My contention, though, is if you want to improve your personal case you don't need experience and you don't necessarily need an attorney. Instead, what you do need is to become what I call is a "welcomed-guest" in the court room by being prepared in writing prior to the hearing. This shows respect for the court's process and the court becomes more prone to grant what you're asking for.

So that's what we're all about. That's what we do for our clients...we prepare them for court by giving them as much legal information as possible. Not legal advice, just solid legal information based upon what other successful fathers have done in their situations.

# posted by gopi @ 9:25 AM