Learning the legal system

Fairfield, Connecticut (WTNH) - With the bad economy the number of people going to court without an attorney is rising dramatically, but it can be confusing and intimidating and even cause problems for the courts. There is another option.

D. Anne Clark's marriage lasted a year. The divorce even longer. At issue is the custody of her little one.

"It has been the hardest thing I've ever gone through, you know," said Clark. "We're talking about my children."

Clark's husband hired two attorneys, but most require retainers and that can easily run you $25,000 upfront.

"I didn't have it," Clark said. "I didn't have it to borrow and I didn't want to sell my house to have to pay for an attorney."

She started looking online and came across Susan Wakefield, a family law attorney of 22 years.

"It was not rewarding," Wakefield said. "I was seeing very, very unhappy people, so what I did about a year ago is I really sat down and had an honest discussion with myself.

She created Connecticut Legal Coaching . She explains the process, helps with court papers and even teaches you how to address the judge. There's no retainer, but if you can't afford her fee she does weekly workshops.

"I'm not the attorney of record so I don't actually file what's called an appearance in the court," Wakefield explained. "I'm coaching them through the process and they remain self-represented."

There is a great need. In 2007, 240,000 people were self-represented in family courts in Connecticut
In 2008, that jumped to over 260,000. They now account for more than 50-percent of litigants in the state.

For Clark, it was the lifeline she needed. She was able to argue her case in the appropriate legal terms and even filed some motions on her own. She says she actually felt empowered and at a price she could afford.

"My husband, I know, originally spent $20,000 and he has gone through that in a year," Clark said. "I have spent under two thousand."

Wakefield said other attorneys actually appreciate what she's doing. She said it makes it easier on them to deal with adversaries who know what they're doing.