limited financial means. At times, this is in part due to domestic violence situations.
To begin, many law firms offer free resources online. For example, our Modern Legal Team offers free resources via our “Resources” page on our website or via our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Youtube – @ModernLegalNC or @ModernLegal). There is education on family law topics and other considerations when going through the divorce process or custodial dispute on these pages. Also, on our Resources page, there is a link to the NC Child Support guidelines to get an idea of how much child support would be ordered if a child support claim went to Court. There are resources in Spanish for our Spanish-speaking population, and there are blogs written by former clients, as a reminder that someone going through a family law dispute is not alone.
There are also a number of family law resources available via Legal Aid of NC through the “File it yourself” packets. Additionally, in Mecklenburg County, there is the Self-Help Center at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. These resources have been put together by a number of attorneys, clerks, and other judicial officers to help address the gap in legal assistance available to those with limited financial means.
I will stress, it is always better to be represented by an attorney for the entirety of a family law matter; however, unfortunately, we do not have the right to an attorney when it comes to family law matters in North Carolina (I agree…kind of ridiculous that you get an attorney if you are facing a night in jail but you are not entitled to an attorney if you are fighting for your children in a child custody action). However, we must work within the judicial system we have as we advocate for change elsewhere.
When someone prefers to have individualized legal services that the free resources cannot address, our firm works with individuals of limited financial means to provide legal services in a case- specific manner. This includes having attorneys and support staff with varying fees. For example: I once had a client that explained that she only had a few thousand dollars to address what we call a “full domestic litigation case.” As such, I advised her on how best to utilize the available financial resources. This included a discussion to pursue filing a lawsuit sooner rather than later as well as avoiding the time-intensive litigation tools of discovery. We were able to get her permanent primary physical custody of the child, temporary child support, and postseparation support before the funds ran out…and then, I helped her create a roadmap so she could represent herself to cross the finish line. A few months later, my then-former client ran into my legal assistant at the courthouse (exuding joy and gratitude) since she was able to get what we had pursued at the final trial (in which she represented herself). In such circumstances, we may not have an attorney standing next to the client in the courtroom for the entirety of the case; but we can always serve as a “behind the curtain” advisor to ensure the client knows what to expect and how to proceed. No result can be guaranteed, but this is but one example where our team will work with each client depending on their unique circumstance. We help our clients pursue a specific goal toward a finish line, and we hope to add a bit of empowerment along the way.
If you or someone you know is enduring a family law matter and enduring financial strain, our Modern Legal Team is here to help.
Please note: these educational materials are based on North Carolina law where my legal practice is based. While the insights may have wide applicability, readers should consult with an attorney regarding the specific laws in their state or country.
Written by: Theresa E. Viera
