Glossary
Pro se
Representing yourself in court without a lawyer. Pro se litigants have the same legal rights as represented parties but are also held to the same procedural standards: courts don't usually relax the rules for self-represented parties.
Pro se (Latin for "for himself") is increasingly common, especially in family court, small claims, and certain consumer matters. Some courts have entire dockets where most parties are unrepresented.
Going pro se has trade-offs. You save money on legal fees, but you have to learn the procedural rules yourself, draft your own filings, and represent yourself at hearings. Mistakes that an attorney would catch can be fatal to your case.
If you go pro se, courts often have self-help centers with forms, basic information, and limited assistance: they can't give legal advice, but they can guide you to resources.