Legal Consumer Education

Education Is The Equalizer
For The Pro Se

Consumer education levels the playing field. Informed consumers can make intelligent decisions about their own legal matters. I avoid offering legal advice. I freely give information -- every chance I get.

Imagine consumer’s frustration upon phoning the clerk of the court to find out which form to file to accomplish their legal goal. The clerk responds, sorry we do not offer legal advice. Is the clerk truly avoiding offering legal advice? What they need is legal consumer education.

Or, imagine the dismay of the divorcing couple, instantly overwhelmed at the sight of the half inch thick packet of pro se forms. The divorce packet seems to include forms that apply to their situation; do not apply to their situation; and might apply to their situation. For the $20 just spent on the stack of forms, this couple is not much further along than before.

In these two examples do the consumers need legal advice; or do they need legal information? What they need is legal consumer education.

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Proactive & Reactive Legal Consumers

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Some consumers are on top of their game, and could likely correctly prepare their own forms with no assistance whatsoever. They are proactive. Many times, their struggle arises from attempting to decipher civil process and procedure; or they just want to be extra certain they don’t miss a detail. As we all know, the devil’s in the details.

Other consumers have no idea where to begin. They are reactive. They have not conducted any of their own research. They are hoping someone will fix their situation, whatever it is.

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place

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They would prefer to hand over everything to an attorney, but they do not have the money to do so. Some of these consumers are experiencing the phenomenon psychologists call, “learned helplessness”. They are not the best candidates for self representation. What they need is legal consumer education.

The proactive consumers have often done extensive research on their legal issue. Many have already attempted to resolve it with the aid of an attorney; but for whatever reason that attempt failed.

Other proactive consumers have successfully represented themselves in the past, and know they have a good chance of succeeding again. These consumers are the best candidates for self representation, their self confidence and attitude serve them well in reaching their legal goals.

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Under-served & Forgotten Consumers

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The reactive consumers need help. If they do not have access to an attorney; they have no choice, but to seek their own counsel. It isn’t easy. These individuals are often predisposed to letting others take care of things.

Many are ruled by their emotions, instead of their thoughts. They might be overly trusting, believing that others strive to always “do the right thing”; and fail to look out for their own interests.

These consumers need a push or a shove. They need to hear that if they cannot afford an attorney, then they must take care of their legal matters themselves. They need to hear that they must do their own research.

They must wade through the paperwork. They must find information to defend or solve their situation. They must take action. They must educate and inform themselves. What they need is legal consumer education.

We Can Help

FAMILY ADOPTION GUIDE, SECOND EDITION

CHILD SUPPORT PETITION ANSWER BOOK

MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT

SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

ANSWER A CIVIL SUMMONS

FUNDAMENTALS OF FLORIDA LEGAL DOCUMENT PREPARATION

DIVORCE

DISESTABLISHMENT OF PATERNITY

& STEPPARENT ADOPTION

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