Q: How to file a judges temporary child custody order as a pro se?
My child’s father and I went to court in March 2022 for a temporary hearing I was granted primary custody and child support. I was pro se and he had a lawyer the judge ordered his lawyer to file the order. However, after about six months of waiting, I finally found out that he stopped paying his lawyer, so his lawyer never filed the paperwork. What do I need to do or what do I need to fill out to file it myself?
A:
The preparation of an enforceable child custody and child support order requires the knowledge and experience of an attorney practicing in the area of family law.
Unless you are fully familiar with what is required from past experience (for example, from working as a paralegal or legal secretary in a law firm), you should not attempt to draft such an order yourself.
A consultation with a family lawyer should cost around $500. Once the lawyer understands what the court ordered, he/she can tell you what it will cost to draft your order for you. A typical order likely should not cost more than $1,500.
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