Q: My soon to be ex & I are in an ISC mid-Oct. We are pro-se. I'm unemployed & know that I am going to get cut off all $

A: An Intensive Settlement Conference is a last-ditch attempt by the court to settle a case before it goes to trial. I have no idea what your husband earns, what the court will conclude you are capable of earning ( even though you are not currently working and have not worked in years), I have no idea how long you have been married, I have no idea what the assets of the marriage or even what your husband has been paying in support for you and for the children and it is impossible for me or for any other family law specialist to tell you what the outcome will be or even what is fair as an outcome without sitting down with you and getting a comprehensive understanding of your matter. The problem is that your matter is old and you have run out of time to try and settle it and you need to hire a lawyer to represent you since it is clear that you cannot represent yourself and have no idea what is fair for support or even how to present your proofs. This is a setting where you need to borrow money from family, friends or whomever else you can but you cannot walk into a courtroom thinking that the judge will protect you and make sure that you get what you are entitled to receive. Its not his / her job and the judge cant do it because the judge is then acting as your lawyer - which is impermissible.

If you are in need of support and your husband has the ability to pay, then spend the money to meet with / retain an attorney - its essential for you to do so.