Lourdes’ story
Child support—legal advice and brief services

“I represented myself—I had my ex-husband’s request to pay less child support dismissed—and I won over his attorney! It was so empowering that I could do that.”

Over the past three years, Lourdes had been in and out of court with her ex-husband over child support payments. Lourdes has multiple sclerosis and is the primary custodial parent for their nine-year old daughter. Lourdes relies greatly on monthly child support in order to pay for clothing, school text books and medical bills for her daughter.

Lourdes was served with her ex-husband’s request for downward modification of child support. He had moved out-of-state and claimed that he had taken a lower paying job.

Lourdes also learned that her ex-husband had hired an attorney to represent him in connection with his request to pay less child support. Although she had been representing herself in prior proceedings, Lourdes was very worried about representing herself in court against her husband’s attorney, and she could not afford to hire a lawyer. After a recommendation from a friend, Lourdes called inMotion just a week before her child support hearing seeking legal assistance.

”My husband and I have been in and out of court for years,” said Lourdes. “It was never a problem for me to go court because I worked for over 20 years as a legal secretary. We would both go to court and he would represent himself and I would represent myself—but I really panicked when I found out my ex-husband had a lawyer.” Lourdes continued, “I was terrified that he would be allowed to pay less child support—this would be financially devastating; I really needed that money to help support my daughter, as I am no longer able to work.”

An inMotion staff attorney spoke with Lourdes at length about her case and helped prepare her for the upcoming hearing. After their initial telephone conversation, our staff attorney emailed easy-to-understand information about child support proceedings and helped Lourdes draft a response to her husband’s petition.

The day before she was to appear in Family Court, our staff attorney gave Lourdes additional advice about the specific legal issues in her case and explained in detail what Lourdes needed to do when she appeared in court.

“It was a huge relief to have someone to talk to. It’s hard not to let your emotions get you all confused and worked up. InMotion helped me keep my emotions in check and stay focused on the legal issues,” said Lourdes.

The next day Lourdes felt prepared to represent herself. She stated, “When I got into court I wasn’t nervous and knew what to expect. My legal papers were in order and I knew what I needed to say to the judge.It was great day. The judge listened. The judge heard me. He dismissed my husband’s request to pay less child support. I won over his attorney! I just couldn’t believe it. It was so empowering that I could do that!”

Learn more about representing yourself with inMotion’s help.

Note: All clients' names and personal details have been changed to protect their identities.