User:Acceptableepicu
Pro se is a latin term that literally means "for self". In today's world, when a person says that they are going "pro se" it usually means that they are doing their own legal work. If you have ever seen court documents which say "pro se", you now know what that means!
Why should you do your own legal work? Most often, due to cost. It can be very expensive to hire a legal professional like a lawyer. In fact, the average cost per hour can be around $300. At this rate, your legal expenses can add up quickly and perhaps lead to dire financial consquences for yourself and for your family. It is also a reality of modern day life that most people will have situations in their lives which will require legal intervention at some point. Whether you are getting divorced, going bankrupt, or are having a property dispute with a neighbor, you may find yourself in court at some time or another.
Luckily, there are many resources which you can use if you want to go pro se. In fact, many court papers that you will need to use can be found online with just a simple search. For example, if you are filing for bankruptcy, you can hire a lawyer and spend more money that you do not have, or you can go online to get your documents. After your print out your doments, you simply fill them out, double check them and file them with the court. Instead of spending thousands on legal fees, you will only need to spend about $300 in filing costs. In addition, you actually get to learn about how the system works. Many people, after going pro se, decide to go back to school to become a paralegal because they have enjoyed what they have learned.
Pro se can also be helpful for lawyers too as it cuts down on the workload which means that they have the time to devote to very difficult or complex cases. This means that pro se is really a win/win situation for both clients and also for lawyers. If you are in need of legal help or have legal questions, take the time to check out your options. You might just find out that pro se is the way to go.