DIY DIVORCE COACH
You’ve probably talked to some friends or family members who have gone through divorce and they have shared their war stories with you.
As a lawyer, I know one of the things hated most about lawyers are hourly attorney’s fees and not having any clue about what their final bill will be. So, it’s no wonder over 60% of civil cases in Cook County have at least one party representing themselves.
If you found your way to the Happily Ending After webinar than you have likely been on an emotional roller coaster
and have finally made up your mind that it’s time to end your marriage so that you and your spouse
can pursue the lives you want to live.
What is DIY Divorce Coach?
DIY DIVORCE COACH is a legal service offered by Attorney Gina Smith that utilizes technology and other tools to provide you with the legal expertise and assistance you need to represent yourself in divorce. Attorneys call this a limited scope representation.
Here’s Everything You Get
In this program Attorney Smith will teach youthe 3 Phases of Divorce:
The program includes, worksheets, and forms required by the Circuit Court of Cook County. You will also receive the individual coaching at each of the phases to help you to prepare, file, and get the divorce results you want.
You will also have three one-on-one coaching calls with Attorney Smith, where she will answer your questions and concerns.
She will also review your worksheets and completed court forms with you.
The Nine Topics That Will Be Covered Include:
1. Get It Together:
Divorce like all other legal processes involves a lot of paperwork. You will save time and be prepared for the divorce by being well organized before you begin completing the court forms.
2. Ain’t No Divorce Without Finance:
Knowing your finances is essential to your preparation. Knowing your finances will help you to understand exactly what you’re getting yourself into. And this financial information is essential as the divorce process will be reviewed by the judge to set child support and property division.
3. Know What You Want:
Defining your goals and what you expect to get out of the divorce will help you to form a strategy for moving through the process.
4. CUPS - Custody, Property & Child Support:
These topics are usually the biggest source of disagreements during the divorce process. You will understand the law regarding each of these topics and how it applies to your divorce. Child Support calculations and Property Division will be emphasized.
5. Going to the Courthouse:
The Petition for Divorce and e-filing the petition starts the divorce process. State law now REQUIRES e-filing. The court process cannot begin until the petition is e-filed correctly. This essential step will be covered in detail.
6. Here Comes the Judge:
The number of appearances before the judge will vary based on how quickly you and your spouse can agree on divorce terms. In any event you should be familiar with proper courtroom protocol and what to expect when you appear before the judge.
7. Prepping for Prove-Up Hearing:
The Prove Up Hearing is the culmination of all your efforts. At the hearing the judge will ask you a series of questions to make sure all of the issues are resolved and that both spouses agree to the terms of the divorce. Custody, Child Support, and Property Division will be addressed by the Judge.
8. Divorce Agreements:
Yes, more paperwork. Before entering the Final Judgment for Divorce, the judge will want to see a Marital Settlement Agreement that summarizes all of the terms of your divorce, like division of property, responsibility for debts, child support and parenting agreements.
9. Post-Divorce Checklist:
It isn’t really over after the Final Judgment for Divorce is entered. There will be a number of things you’ll need to complete to return to the single life. The Post-Divorce checklist will help you complete these tasks.
Investment:
One-Time Payment of $750
Or
2 Equal Payments of $375
Enroll by May 25, 2018 and receive the Bonus of a Will package valued at $550,which includes:
- A Will
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Health Care Directive
***The Course Fee Does Not Include the Filing Fees Paid to the Cook County Circuit Court***
The average cost of divorce in Cook County when an attorney provides
full representation is $4500. DIY Divorce provides you the legal expertise and coaching
you need to represent yourself and save thousands of dollars.
About
Attorney Gina Smith, founder of Jamii Law, was admitted to the State of Illinois Bar in 2002 and has since served in private practice and as the General Counsel for the Illinois Department of Human Services. In private practice she focuses on family, law, estate planning, real estate and small business services. She has also worked with several government and non-profit organizations to develop affordable housing in the Chicago and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.
Ms. Smith attended the DePaul University College of Law, where she was a Minority Merit Scholar and intern for the Federal Circuit Court of Illinois. Ms. Smith also holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a graduate certificate in construction law from George Washington University. Ms. Smith’s professional affiliations include the National Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Melissa's DIY Divorce Experience
Attorney Gina Smith, founder of Jamii Law, was admitted to the State of Illinois Bar in 2002 and has since served in private practice and as the General Counsel for the Illinois Department of Human Services. In private practice she focuses on family, law, estate planning, real estate and small business services. She has also worked with several government and non-profit organizations to develop affordable housing in the Chicago and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.
Ms. Smith attended the DePaul University College of Law, where she was a Minority Merit Scholar and intern for the Federal Circuit Court of Illinois. Ms. Smith also holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a graduate certificate in construction law from George Washington University. Ms. Smith’s professional affiliations include the National Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it?
DIY Divorce Survivor is an online legal education and coaching program designed to provide you the knowledge and tools you need to represent yourself in divorce.
Who is this for?
- This is for a married person or even a couple seeking divorce that planning to file for divorce but wants to avoid the expense of full representation by an attorney that charges hourly fees.
- You know you want to file Pro Se (DIY Divorce) but you want to better understand the financial and legal process.
This Is not for a person who expects their divorce to be long and difficult because of
any of the reasons below:
- Your spouse doesn’t want to divorce.
- You can’t agree on who should have custody.
- There is a large amount of marital property AND you can’t agree how to divide it.
- You’re planning to make a claim for maintenance or alimony.
- You’re looking for a monetary payout or settlement.
Why did I create this?
Simply put, the Courts are overwhelmed with people that need to access the court system but aren’t able to afford an attorney.
More and more people are choosing to represent themselves in court. In Cook County, over 60% of the cases involve at least one party who is acting as their own lawyer.
I created this service to provide you the legal expertise and guidance you need to negotiate an uncontested divorce without the uncertainty of expensive hourly fees
How much time will it take?
It depends on how quickly you can move through the online classes and court forms. You can access the online classes at any time and move through the pre-recorded coaching lessons at your own pace.
The time you spend in court will depend how many disagreements there are between you and your spouse. The court process can be time consuming if there are a lot of disputes and unresolved issues.
What if I decide I don’t want to represent myself?
If you decide that DIY Divorce is not for you and you would rather have Attorney Smith represent you throughout the process, then contact her to arrange a consultation at 312-868-0781 or info@jamiilaw.com.
What is the Refund Policy?
If you change your mind about the course before your initial coaching call with Attorney Smith, your entire payment will be refunded with you.
Otherwise, your refund will be based on the number of one-on-one coaching sessions you have completed.
- After one coaching session - $500 is available for refund
- After two coaching sessions - $250 is available for refund
If you change your mind and decide that you want Attorney Smith to fully
represent you, then the fee you have already been paid will be applied to
her flat fee for full representation.
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