Miryam Gordon, Legal Technician

11/26/2025

If I am "pro se" (meaning I speak for myself in court), I don't need to know all this law to talk to the judge, do I?

Thousands of people each year go into court without any legal help. They have to present their case as best they can and hope their arguments are good enough to get what they want or need. But yes, when you go into court, you do need to know "all this law" to talk to the judge. The law says that an unrepresented person has to act just like a lawyer, even if you do not know the law.

It's really hard to prepare for court yourself, yet unfairly, most people have to do that, and there aren't enough legal providers to help everyone. Judges should probably try hard to help explain legal standards to you, but many don't take the time - sometimes because they really don't have the time to take. They just have to get through the cases they have in front of them for that day.

If you can hire a legal technician, many of us will help you write out what you should say to a judge, so you can know your arguments and be prepared. Even if you can't hire a legal technician, it would be wise to write out your argument so it's concise and ready with all the facts you want to express.

12/10/2023

What are "court rules" and do I have to care about them?

Court rules are rules that govern how legal paperwork (generally) is to be done and presented to the court. Each county has their own rules, and they should be posted on each county's Superior Court website section. They tell you when paperwork is due, if it needs to be presented to the other side in person or if it can be emailed or mailed, and how to schedule motions so your issue is heard properly.

Do you need to know them? In short, YES! Legal professionals have to know them and if you don't have a lawyer or a LT working with you, you will certainly have to know them yourself. Why? Because the courts EXPECT you to know them, even if you are not a legal professional. They may give you a little latitude, but not much. And if you do not follow those rules, your motion might not be heard or other consequences may apply in court.

LTs can help make sure you present your motions and petitions properly, and also help you understand what is supposed to happen "next!"

08/17/2023

Judges are inscrutable and unpredictable! They have a tremendous amount of power over a family's future if you have to go before them. It's really best to negotiate with each other, try to make agreements, because you retain your own power to decide. Even if you have to give on a few areas, it's a far better outcome than leaving it in the hands of someone who doesn't know you and can only guess at the best outcomes for your family.

05/07/2023

The paperwork for legal actions can seem daunting. But if you believe you can state clearly what you want, and you want to have someone look over the paperwork, legal technicians are a great choice for that. Make sure your arguments are clear and well-stated, and it's much more likely for you to receive what you're asking for.

04/13/2023

04/11/2023

Divorces are hard. Even when they're "easy," they're hard. Everyone needs help getting through the complicated process and understanding it. There are a lot of tiny pitfalls that you might miss if you are trying to do it yourself. Legal technicians can help you understand the process and you don't have to spend gobs of money on legal help. LTs generally charge significantly less than half of what lawyers charge (depending on county).

I try to help my clients avoid going to court as much as possible. If there's any room for agreement, in the long run it's the smartest and best outcome. If you have children, you're going to be co-parenting them for a very long time. Remember: after they turn 18, they're still your kids and there's a long life of co-parenting then, also.

09/27/2022

How many people do you know, already, who might have a story very similar to this? How many people do you know who have struggled to understand the legal system when they simply need a divorce and to get their children adequately taken care of? Legal services seem out of reach to most. At least in family law/divorce/child custody and support areas, we Legal Technicians exist to help with affordable legal help!

Please share this with your friends and let them know that Washington State licenses Legal Technicians to help access the justice that they need.

By Eric G. Osborne

09/08/2022

Has it been two years or more since child support was ordered in your case? It might be time to get an updated order reflecting job changes or other financial changes in your lives! Please get in touch for help with this process.

08/20/2022

NBC News says LLLTs are a cost-effective alternative to "lawyers or no help at all"...

Programs that train and license "legal technicians" to handle family law matters are seen as a way to close the "justice gap" and make services more affordable.

07/09/2022

92% of low income Americans have no access to affordable legal services for essential court needs like divorce, child support, parenting plans, tenant support, bankruptcy, corporate theft like auto repair shops that stiff you or do bad repairs, etc. Washington's Legal Technician program/license allowed for an intermediate legal practitioner to help people at lower cost per hour, yet Washington State "sunset" the license as of July 2023. Those of us who have the license by then can continue to practice but there will be less than 100 of us all told!

Low-income Americans do not get any or enough legal help for 92% of their substantial civil legal problems.