Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
A party who is pro se (meaning self-represented) in a Florida family law case is subject to the same rules of procedure as a party represented by a lawyer. Pro se parties who continuously file improper documents in a case may be subject to sanctions from the court, one of which is that a party can be barred from filing further documents with a lawyer representing him or her. This was an issue in the case Makaver v. Pozuelos, 3D25-0158 (Fla. 3d DCA June 25, 2025).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
Is the right to proceed pro se, or self-represented in a Florida family law case absolute? Florida case law indicates it is not because pro se litigants who excessively or vexatiously litigate can be sanctioned and/or prohibited from filing anything further without a lawyer. This was an issue in the case Abboud v. Abboud, 5D2024-0799 (Fla. 5th DCA March 21, 2025).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
When someone is referred to as “pro se” in a Florida family law case it means that person is proceeding without a lawyer. That person is acting as his or her own lawyer. While not optimal, it is allowed, but the court can place limits on a pro se party who repeatedly violates rules or otherwise hinders the court’s ability to move the case forward.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
“Am I allowed to represent myself in a Florida family law case?” This is a frequently asked question that many may have because they feel they cannot afford to pay a lawyer to represent them. The right to proceed without a lawyer in a Florida family law case is not absolute. That is, the court can prohibit a party from proceeding without a lawyer, and this was an issue in the case Clark v. Baney, 1D22-118 (Fla. 1st DCA January 25, 2023).
