That has inspired me a lot Rian. My faith could be stronger.

A few things people in divorce need to do (which they sometimes don't).

1. Recognize that judges are not corrupt but sometimes make the wrong decision in difficult circumstances. It's not the easy thing to sort out truth. Bernard Madoff committed a 50 billion dollar fraud and even after a complainant pointed out this was a Ponzi scheme, an agency specializing in fraud couldn't detect it.

2. Be patient. Present facts and issues in a reasonably calm, clear, and organized fashion. One sees pro se pleadings with long convoluted paragraphs, constant bold print, ragtag fags, and strange questions. Sometimes the client is his own worst enemy.

3. Stay calm. If you're doing your best, G-d doesn't expect anything more and if you don't win a visitation or custody issue then perhaps it will be next year.
If you're granted limited or restricted visitation take it.

4. Recognize this is a highly stressed environment. In criminal law, the system has the worst people on their best behavior, in matrimonial, good people on their worst. They had a judge, who sentenced criminals to long sentences, never had a problem, was transferred to matrimonial and threatened with bodily harm the second day.

Again recognize the stress and need to be reasonably calm and collected under trying circumstances.

Hello Richie. What may seem like a curse today may be a blessing tomorrow. Think back on history. On how many people have felt as you felt today. Reflect on how you have in your life looked back and realized that some of the "bad" things in your life are what lead to some of your blessings. When you can't change the exterior then look to change the interior. See through a different perspective and dive a bait deeper into yourself. There is more resilience in you than you expect hermano. Stay strong and focus on getting through the current minute.

Pro ses (people representing themselves) tend to make some common mistakes. You have some control, there is some logic though you may not always think so. Suggestions.

1., Clear presentation. Use heading. Too many proses give courts a 9 page running narrative, with a paragraph stop every 3 pages. Make your presentation logical and organized.

2. Supporting papers Judges base decisions on evidence. If you requested visitation but were denied, include the letters with a numbered reference. See Ex. 2.

3. Be careful of being legalistic. If you know and understand a legal term, fine, but consider using clear, ordinary language. I requested to see my daughter but my former wife refused on 3 occasions, see Ex 1-3. Not this was a recalcitrant, flagrant violation of procedural due process, constitutional rights, an abrogation of civil right, and contempt.

4. On time properly dressed If you come to court, be properly dressed and bring a notebook. Too many people come with a bag of papers, mismatched outfit and intense look. You can usually ask a clear for guidance on basic procedural questions but he cannot give you legal advice.

5. Organize material for your lawyer If you have a lawyer, provide material for him to easily understand the claim. You may be angry but he may decide that ventilating your frustration will not help the case.

6. Be creative and receptive to negotiated solutions. I know, every divorce litigant says, I can't my ex-wife is narcissistic and manipulative, my ex-husband is borderline abusive many matters could be worked out but the lawyers are so busy trying to impress clients with their toughness they forego efforts at resolution. If the judge asked if the matters can be resolved, the answer should usually be we're happy to try. .