Essays /
Is there a wrong way to start a narrative essay? [14]
Please read my draft and advise accordingly.
Self Representation
In the past, I would do nothing just to avoid the feeling of failure; in my mind, everybody was better than I was. The fear of standing up for me is how I reached the title of self-represented litigant, "Pro Se" according to the law. In the beginning, I hired a 300.00 dollar an hour attorney who was going to save the day. Then, the tables turned, the attorney went from asking to telling. As the time went on during our client relationship, the person I had hired to do a job for me took on a new role of parent-child releationship. I became someone who had no say so, and he became the attorney just going through the motions of the court system. The longer this went on the sicker I felt, I wanted to fire him. I did not have the guts to talk to him about it. I wanted to make it go away, but how could I fire the person who intimidated me.
Nevertheless, I found the courage to confront my attorney on things he had once told me that I did not agree with...I must have misconstrued him, and that he guessed he would have to start writing everything down for me is what I heard. After this, I still could not stand up to the person hired to represent my family and values, not his. $48,000 dollars later and my attorney telling me there was nothing he could do as he drove out of town. I consequently fired him. I Petitioned the court to give me a chance to tell my side of the story.
When the time came we all sat down at the table in the judges chambers, the judge, my soon to be ex, and his attorney. My husbands attorney spoke first. This time I was relived, time was ticking by with every word I heard, to my surprise, so were the feelings of being overwhelmed with emotions of self doubt running through me. The questions of, would the judge believe me or not? Could I describe my point clear enough for the judge to understand what I wanted to say?
Yes, I can. The old ways of siting back and allowing things to happen to me was gone. Instead, the new way of making things happen for me is here to stay. Can I tell you as I responded back to every issue brought up in court on this day, not only with convictions of a confidant woman but the attitude of I am just as important as you are and I deserve half of what you get.
The jury is still out so to speak, the judge has not made his ruling. Therefore, I do not know if the efforts made in court, representing myself will effect the decision of the judge. However, I remember as I stood up from the judges table the feeling of content pouring from my head to my toes with what I had accomplished on this day and ready to take the next challenge.
