Avatar Posted by TLA 85 days ago (Question)
It was my son's birthday recently. So I thought to write to you for some advice.

How do I find/hire an attorney to go to court, when the courts don't understand mental health issues?? It is hard to find a lawyer that respects you as an individual w/ disabilities!!!

I lost custody of my son due to my defaulting at the divorce hearing. I was ill w/ bipolar at the time, out of the hospital only 3 months, and no transportion to the city. Ex-husband decides to divorce me while I was in the middle of this episode.

The other question, how can people with mental health issues (biplar) best educate family memebers, ex-husband's or a judge? I am NOT a danger nor am I violent when stable.
People just don't get it!!!! It's not me that is out of it, its my brain making me think/say/so inappropriate things. I was off meds ~5 years. Now, I've been on them 4 yrs.

I was dealing with stress, post-partum and grief due to a death in the family. Dealing with A LOT!

Please don't say it is not my place to educate the judge.
I feel the best I CAN DO, is what I need to do. Can I do anything?

I get a lot of support here, thank you. share your feedback.


Answers

Written by Edahn 84 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

If I was in your shoes, I would contact a family law attorney through the yellow pages or internet. Ask for a free consultation. I'd also contact some non profits in your area and ask them for additional referrals to agencies, other non-profits, or attorneys who are familiar with family law or disability law (or both).

Regarding educating a judge, it's the same as educating anyone else. You just have to show that you have grown and are responsible now.

Written by Thumbelina 83 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

TLA

There are attorneys who specialize in disability law. If you look on the internet, you can find networks of disability law attorneys and see if there is one near you. Many of them are involved with social security disability specialty but there are others who specialize in litigation. If you have a therapist and/or psychiatrist, they can testify on your behalf but an attorney would guide you through that and could probably help you. Best of luck to you.

Written by Clyde 78 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I agree with the disability law thing, as well as the best way to show a judge/lawyer/jury that you are a responsible person is to be one.

Contact NAMI (www.nami.org) and see what they can do to help you as well--they are the National Alliance of Mental Illness people--and they are advocates--what you need.

Best,

Clyde

Written by GR8GLFR 41 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I would recommend finding an Attorney who can empathize with you and your situation. Everyone has rights and there are laws, lawyers and court systems for a reason. You can search online for a local law firm or maybe even Yellow Pages. Online is better since you can get more information about the Attorney you are contacting.

I have used a site called, Attorney4Hire.com, to find a Local Law firm in the past. I have even referred other family members to the site and my Attorney. Some states have more Attorneys listed on Attorney4Hire.com than others, but over all it is really easy to find an Attorney on.

(I tried using other sites and referral services before but they wanted way too much personal information. This site only required a zip code to find myself an Attorney.)


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