Legal Question in Family Law in Oregon

Re: Coaching

YOUR POST:

I am representing myself in a custody trial. I have a friend that I'd like to sit with me, that I want to confer with and get moral support from. Is this legal in the state of Oregon?

ANSWER:

No, this is not permitted. Only the litigants and their attorneys are permitted to be seated at the counsel table. Nobody else, except for court-authorized language translators. Having a friend, or your mother, or anyone sitting next to you for the purpose of giving you "moral support" is not allowed.

Word of advice: Going to court without a lawyer is like going into surgery without a surgeon. You can try to do the procedure yourself but I would not want to take the risk. If it is serious enough to warrant surgery, or serious enough to warrant going to court, get a professional who knows what he or she is doing to assist in gettng the job done and done right. My gosh, is there ANYTHING that is more important than the custody of your children?!?! Gees!! Were I in your shoes, I would not consider putting my children at risk by my not having a lawyer when we go to court to determine their future lives. No more than I would consider having even minor surgery without a doctor doing the operation.

L.D.G.