Hi, i'm nearing the end of my divorce and the lawyer I hired didn't defend me at all while my abusive and harrassing pathological lying ex dragged me through the mud with false allegations. As soon as I told my lazy lawyer of the divorce he withdrew from the case. He never filed anything in my defense and I now have trial in 4 days, no lawyer, and my ex is taking everything. Not many lawyers want to jump in and it would be a lot of work to fix all the money damages and things the old lawyer messed up. I just want the whole thing over with, but I was wondering how and if I can put off the hearing until I can figure out what route I want to go? Also, I had a motion I didn't show up for. I have an anxiety disorder and it's all just been way too much to deal with, so I missed it and might have lost my house now. If there was a default judgement, which I'm sure there was, what can I do to remedy it?

First, I am sorry for your lack of representation via a lawyer. welcome to the forum.

While you are experience medical issues, you have to work with the judge to give you more time. However, do not miss appearances without notifying the court. I don't know your jurisdiction but the court may have rules regarding missed dates. familiarize your self with the rules of the court.

if you plan to move forward pro se, then you need to start studying this forum. Be advised that the justice system is a game and you need to know the rules.

Maybe you can contact the self help area of the court. most jurisdiction have offices.

Keep in mind your are not before criminal court. Gather your thoughts and develop a plan.

Good luck.

Thank you. I called the court to try to get the trial hearing adjourned for a later date. They said that I needed to speak to the judge himself and to call later to ask. I did that, and got a voicemail asking for adjournment. No call back. So I sent my side of a LONG story of abuse and harassment at the hands of my, now ex husband. Still no reply. I had no "summary judgement of divorce" from the opponent, that I knew of anyway, and I didn't have time or the know how to draft one of my own. I decided to default, thinking I was in default ANYWAY due to not having anything written up and turned in prior to trial anyway, and I had spent the entire night comforting my kids who were scared to death of all the court stuff and hurt/traumatized by my ex's lack of consideration for their wellbeing and his abuse. So I get a call after trial with my ex saying that he was awarded EVERYTHING, and that I had only 30 days to vacate with nothing but a few personal items to bring with me. So many laws were broken, I wasn't given any defense and I was denied depositions, interrogatories and the right to defend myself in previous hearings after my ex gave several testimonies FALSELY accusing me of breaking court orders. I was told by my lawyer and the FOC that I was not allowed to reply and my ex attorney refused to let me appeal it. I have no idea where to go from here or how to get the default set aside so I can bring criminal charges against him, sue my ex lawyer for breach of contract for not defending me, as he was supposed to, and have all that was wrong amended. Me and my kids are the victims here, and the criminal won everything by default. The kids and I have just been denied protection, and denied all of our rights. I have about enough money to either hire another attorney, or find a new place, but I don't have the confidence to go it alone...even with this program. I wish I knew a better route. Any comments are deeply appreciated!

Hi Everyone! I've been trying to figure out what my options are, and was hoping someone could help me out. My EX is an abusive man and been harassing me and neglectful of our two daughters. He started the divorce case, and he filed many motions and petitions against me simply to get revenge and so that he could "get to me" first before I let the courts know about his evil behavior. I had a lawyer who was just as bad, and I don't have proof, other than his constant defense toward the OTHER side, and giving them whatever they wanted while sabotaging my case since I was a stay at home mom, so he figured he wouldn't get his money. He ended up withdrawing only a couple days before trial, after I told him about the abuse and he didn't care, so he told me to find another lawyer, then claimed that I fired him. Which ultimately, I simply told him I would let him go "on his own terms". Meaning...he's the one that wants the withdrawl. Through the whole process, my kids and I have suffered greatly, living in poverty, due to my lawyers lack of getting me money judgements that I should be entitled to. Come the time of the hearing, I didn't even get a judgement divorce until AFTER trial, then I found an email stating that I lose EVERYTHING, and he gets everything, including things that were mine even prior to the relationship.

So now I have a default judgement, and it's only been a few days after the trial, so I have time to do SOMETHING I just don't know what my options are, since my ex lawyer never gave me ANY affirmative defenses on the record and I have nothing to say that won't be objected to since there is nothing in the documents that were put on the table as a defense prior to trial.
I was also served with all papers "aside from the original summons and complaint" via e-mail, for motions, hearing dates etc. Is this proper service? And what can I do to get my evidence in, and the chance to be heard. Also, I never got the chance to depose my ex, which would have made a HUGE difference. Any answers PLEASE????