Going through a contested divorce and been married 21 years. I have just learned my husband hired an attorney and I cannot afford one.
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The court can order him to pay your attorney's fees. When you file your response, ask for spousal support and attorneys fees.(Use an RFO).
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Your attorney may request court to order H to pay for your attorney fees and costs. Many attorneys work on this basis.
You may be in position where you cannot afford not to have an attorney. Not enough information provided to advise further.
The law provides for court orders that one party pay for or contribute to the cost of the other's attorney to ensure that each party is on equal footing. If he can afford an attorney, the court will likely find that he can afford to help pay for yours. In the meantime, you may want to set up an appointment with The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law (http://www.hbcfl.org/); elicit the assistance of the self-help center at the court house, or find a lawyer who is willing to start out pro bono with plans to be compensated once you get your order from the court.
You probably can get an attorney but you just don't know how its done. Talk to an attorney. There are probably assets that can be used to pay attorney fees or you H might have enough income (don't take his opinion as truth) to pay for your attorney fees. But the court would presume that you need one and that the CP estate would pay for this. But at least talk to a qualified family law attorney now.
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