Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Illinois

Your lawyer can attend without you unless your presence is required by the court. Your wife can not represent you but if she is being sued along with you can certainly represent herself and by implication will most likely make statements that reflect on you.

The response given is not intended to create, nor does it create an ongoing duty to respond to questions. The response does not form an attorney-client relationship, nor is it intended to be anything other than the educated opinion of the author. It should not be relied upon as legal advice. The response given is based upon the limited facts provided by the person asking the question. To the extent additional or different facts exist, the response might possibly change. Attorney is currently licensed to practice law actively only in the State of Illinois, inactively in Florida. Responses are based solely on Illinois law unless stated otherwise.

Unless the judge requires your personal appearance in court, a lawyer ( and only a lawyer) can appear for you. Your wife cannot, unless she is a licensed attorney.