LawHelp State Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I Be My Own Lawyer?
by: Developed from materials provided by the Wyoming State Bar
Q.	Am I allowed to be my own lawyer? Can I do my own legal work?

A.	This is a tough question. There is a saying that "a client that has themselves for a lawyer is a fool." This may seem harsh but it is something to think about. Most of the time, it is not wise to handle your own legal problems. You should know that the law is not easy to understand. Also, it can be hard to stay calm. In order to solve your problem, you must be able to talk and think about it without getting mad and upset. Keep in mind that just because something hurts you, does not mean that it is against the law. Sometimes the law does not care about the things we care most about. A good example is the case of divorce: In many Wyoming courts, you will not get more money for being the good one in the marriage. This is true even if your spouse cheated on you or abused you. If you spend a lot of time talking about how bad your spouse was, it may not help you win your case. It may also make the judge angry.

Q.	If I can be my own lawyer, why should I talk to a lawyer?

A.	The law is not always clear. Just because something seems like it should be against the law, does not mean that it is. A lawyer is trained to understand the law. A lawyer is trained to understand the courts and legal system. A lawyer may help you solve your problem without going to court. The bottom line is, a good lawyer can give you a lot of help.

Q.	If I am going to be my own lawyer, what do I need to know?

A.	Keep in mind that you must know the law. You will also need to understand court rules like rules of evidence and civil procedure. You can find these rules in most law libraries. You can also find them on-line.

Q.	Anything else I need to know?

A.	Keep in mind that judges and courts cannot give you legal advice. If you decide to be your own lawyer, they will not be able to help you.


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	Last Reviewed On: 11/15/04

Using Wyoming LawHelp (Please Read)

Information, Not Legal Advice.

Everybody's problems are unique. This website cannot tell you how your case will be decided.
This website can be used to help you learn the law. It can help you understand your rights. It can assist you in getting the help you need.
If you need more help than this website can give on your specific problem, you should contact a lawyer. If you are low-income and wish to apply for an attorney through Wyoming Legal Services, please click here.
Whether you are low-income or not, if you have questions about your case or are uncertain in any way, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer before taking legal action.

Hiring a Lawyer.

Hiring a lawyer is a big deal. Be sure to shop around.
Before hiring a lawyer, you should ask a lot of questions.
Hire a lawyer you feel you can trust.
This website gives information on what to look for in a lawyer. This web site is not advertising for any particular lawyer.

E-mail.

Using this website or sending an e-mail to Wyoming LawHelp does not mean that Wyoming LawHelp is your lawyer.
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For all these reasons, you may wish to use the telephone or talk in person when looking for a lawyer.

Deadlines

If you are handling your own case or do not yet have a lawyer, it is very important that you not miss deadlines! You may lose your legal rights if you do not take action right away.
This means getting a lawyer right away if that is what you want.
If you don't have a lawyer call the clerk of court to find out what deadlines apply to you.

Getting It Right

Wyoming LawHelp is offered as public service. We try to make the information correct as of the date of the materials.
Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct, but we are doing our best to give you the best information we can.

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The Wyoming LawHelp is offered as a public service by Wyoming Legal Services.

Wyoming Legal Services is a statewide program that works to improve access to justice for Wyoming citizens. Wyoming Legal Services provides free legal services, including legal analysis, representation, information and education to low-income persons. We also provide free advice & referral services to Wyoming senior citizens.

The work of Wyoming Legal Services relies on grantors and private donations. All donations are tax deductible.

The Wyoming LawHelp Stakeholder Advisory Committee includes (in alphabetical order): Balwin & Crocker, PC, Centros de Recursos Latinos (Latino Resource Center), The Legal Services Clinic (University of Wyoming), The Self-Help Center, The Students` Attorney Office (University of Wyoming), The Wyoming Guardianship Corporation, Wyoming Legal Services, The Wyoming State Bar Foundation and The Wyoming Supreme Court