Family law matters — whether it's a divorce, child custody dispute, property division, or modification of an existing order — can be among the most significant legal events of your life. The decisions made during these proceedings can affect your finances, your children, and your future for years or even decades to come. So what happens if you feel like you simply can't afford an attorney?
At Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, we understand that legal fees are a real concern for many families in Denton, Frisco, Fort Worth, and throughout North Texas. We want to be honest with you about what you're facing if you choose to represent yourself — and we also want you to know that getting legal help may be more accessible than you think.
What Does It Mean to Represent Yourself in a Family Law Case?
When a party represents themselves in a legal proceeding, they are referred to as a "pro se" party. While Texas law does allow you to represent yourself in a family law matter, doing so comes with very real risks that people often don't fully appreciate until it's too late.
Here's the hard truth: the family law system in Texas is complex, and the rules that govern it are unforgiving — even for those who don't know them.
The Judge Cannot Help You
This is perhaps the most important thing to understand before you decide to go it alone. The Judge in your case is not on your side, and they're not supposed to be. A Judge's role is to be a neutral decision-maker, not an advisor. They cannot guide you through the process, tell you what to say, explain what documents you need, or warn you if you're making a mistake in the courtroom.
If you are representing yourself while the other party has an attorney, that attorney will know the procedural rules, the local customs of the court, and the strategies most likely to result in a favorable outcome for their client — not for you. The Judge will hold you to the same standards as a licensed attorney, regardless of your familiarity with the law. Saying "I didn't know" is not a legal remedy.
Going Up Against an Opposing Attorney Is a Serious Disadvantage
If the other party in your case has hired a family law attorney, you are already at a significant disadvantage, both inside and outside the courtroom. Before you ever set foot before a Judge, there will likely be negotiations, discovery requests, temporary orders hearings, and other legal activity that requires knowledge of both the law and court procedure.
An experienced family law attorney knows how to:
- Draft and respond to discovery requests designed to uncover assets and evidence
- Argue for temporary orders that can significantly shape the final outcome
- Cross-examine witnesses effectively
- Object to improper evidence or testimony
- Identify and protect community and separate property interests
- Navigate child custody standards under Texas law
Without legal representation, you may find yourself agreeing to terms that sound reasonable but are actually very unfavorable — or worse, you may not even realize what rights you're giving up.
Even if the Other Party Is Also Unrepresented, You Still Face Major Challenges
Many people assume that if both parties agree on everything, they don't need a lawyer. And while an uncontested or agreed divorce is certainly simpler than a contested one, "simple" and "risk-free" are not the same thing.
Texas family law requires that final orders and divorce decrees contain specific provisions that comply with state law. These documents must be clearly written, legally enforceable, and comprehensive enough to address situations that might arise in the future. A poorly drafted order may seem fine today — right up until the moment the other party doesn't comply with it, and you discover that your agreement can't actually be enforced the way you intended.
Beyond drafting, you will also be responsible for:
- Following all local court rules, which vary by county and are separate from statewide rules
- Correctly filing all required documents within specific deadlines
- Properly serving the other party according to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
- Presenting your case before the Judge in a clear and legally appropriate manner
- Preparing and submitting final orders for the Judge's signature in the proper format
Each of these steps has the potential to derail your case or produce an outcome you didn't intend.
The Problems We See Every Day
At Coker, Robb & Cannon, we have helped hundreds of people who came to us after they represented themselves in a family law matter — and what we've seen breaks our hearts, because so many of these situations were preventable.
Parenting Time and Custody. We have helped clients who, after representing themselves in their divorce, lost meaningful parenting time with their children — time that a properly drafted custody order would have protected. In some cases, vague or incomplete language in the original order left the door wide open for the other parent to restrict access to the children. We've worked hard to go back and fix these situations, but the truth is: it's far more difficult to recover something you've already lost than it is to protect it in the first place.
Inequitable Division of Community Property. Texas is a community property state, which means that marital assets — including retirement accounts, real estate, businesses, and debt — must be divided in a manner that is just and right. We've seen divorcing spouses unknowingly give up their interest in a pension or 401(k) worth hundreds of thousands of dollars simply because they didn't know they were entitled to a share of it. We've seen people walk away from a marriage with all the debt and none of the assets. These are not small mistakes.
When It Can't Be Fixed. Perhaps most sobering of all: sometimes by the time a client comes to us for help correcting a self-represented divorce, the damage simply cannot be undone. Depending on how and when property was divided, transferred, or spent, and how much time has passed, the legal options for correction may be extremely limited or non-existent. A final court order is just that — final. Undoing one requires meeting a very high legal standard, and there are no guarantees.
In many of these cases, the cost of coming back to fix the problem was significantly greater than what it would have cost to have an attorney handle it correctly the first time.
Local Rules Add Another Layer of Complexity
Texas family law is governed by statewide statutes and the Texas Family Code — but that's only part of the picture. Every county in Texas has its own local rules of court that dictate everything from how to format documents to how hearings are scheduled to what standing orders automatically go into effect when a divorce is filed. Denton County, Collin County, and Tarrant County each have their own specific requirements.
Failure to follow local rules can result in your documents being rejected, your hearing being delayed, or your case being dismissed. Judges and court staff are not responsible for walking you through these requirements, and the rules are not always easy to find or interpret without experience.
Our Firm Offers Affordable Options for Simpler Cases
We want to be clear: we don't believe that quality legal help should be out of reach. At Coker, Robb & Cannon, we offer straightforward, low-cost options specifically designed for clients who have an agreed or uncontested divorce but want the peace of mind that comes from having a Board Certified family law attorney review and handle their documents.
If you and your spouse agree on the major issues — property division, children, support — you may be surprised at how affordable it is to let us handle the legal side properly. We can make sure your agreement is legally sound, completely documented, and drafted in a way that protects you now and in the future. For many clients, this is a fraction of the cost of coming back later to fix a problem.
We believe it is always worth a conversation. Many people who assume they can't afford an attorney discover that, with the right firm and the right approach, they can.
Ways to Pay for Legal Representation — More Options Than You Might Expect
One of the most common reasons people choose to represent themselves is the belief that they simply have no way to pay for an attorney. But at Coker, Robb & Cannon, we want you to know that there are several practical options that may make quality legal representation far more attainable than you realize.
Legal Financing Through Retain Legal Financing. Our firm works with Retain Legal Financing, a service specifically designed to help people fund their legal fees through accessible loans and financing plans. Much like financing a car or a home repair, Retain allows you to get the legal representation you need now and pay for it over time in manageable installments. You can learn more and explore your options directly through our firm's dedicated page at retainfinance.com/crcfamilylawyers. Applying is straightforward, and for many clients, it removes the single biggest barrier standing between them and effective legal representation.
Affirm — Buy Now, Pay Later for Legal Fees. Our firm also offers clients the ability to pay through Affirm, a widely used "buy now, pay later" service that allows you to spread your legal fees over time with clear, predictable payment terms and no hidden fees. If you've used Affirm for other purchases, you already know how simple and transparent the process is. We are proud to offer this option because we believe that the ability to pay over time should never be the reason someone goes unrepresented in a case that matters this much.
Court-Ordered Attorney's Fees. Many clients are surprised to learn that a Judge has the authority to order the other party to contribute to your attorney's fees. In Texas family law cases, this is more common than people think — particularly when one spouse has controlled the finances during the marriage or has greater access to marital resources. After your initial consultation, our attorneys can evaluate your situation and, where appropriate, seek a court order requiring the other party to help fund your legal representation. In other words, the fact that your spouse controls the money doesn't mean you have to go without a lawyer. Let us explore this option with you.
Family and Friends. Finally, don't underestimate the power of your personal support network. In our experience, when family members and close friends understand that a loved one is going through a serious legal matter — and that they have chosen to be represented by a reputable, experienced firm like Coker, Robb & Cannon — they are often willing to step in with a personal loan to help. When the people who care about you know that their support will go toward a firm with a 25-year track record, Board Certified attorneys, and a genuine commitment to your outcome, it can make the conversation about asking for help much easier. A personal loan from a family member may be simpler than you expect, and it can make all the difference.
The bottom line is this: before you conclude that you can't afford an attorney, please talk to us. You may be surprised at how many doors are open to you.
When the Stakes Are This High, Experience Matters
Coker, Robb & Cannon has been serving North Texas families since 1998. More than half of our attorneys and paralegals are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a distinction that fewer than 10% of Texas attorneys who practice family law ever achieve. Board Certification means demonstrated expertise, tested knowledge, and a track record of meaningful experience in family law. It is the highest credential available in our field, and we are proud that it is reflected across our entire legal team.
Whether your matter involves a contested divorce, a custody modification, a property dispute, or a simple agreed divorce you'd like handled correctly, we have the experience and the resources to help you.
Don't Wait Until a Small Problem Becomes a Big One
If you are facing a family law matter and you're concerned about the cost of an attorney, please reach out to us before you decide to go it alone. The consultation you have today may save you from a far more expensive — and heartbreaking — situation down the road.
Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers serves clients from our offices in Denton, Frisco, and Fort Worth. We invite you to contact us today to discuss your situation and explore the options available to you. You've worked too hard, and your family matters too much, to leave the outcome to chance.
Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers | Serving North Texas Since 1998 | Offices in Denton, Frisco & Fort Worth.
More than half of our legal team is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Learn more about that here.