What does it mean to represent yourself ('pro se')?

"Pro se" is Latin for "for oneself." It means appearing in court and handling your legal matter without a lawyer. It's your right in nearly every U.S. civil case, though the rules and expectations are the same as for a licensed attorney — the court will not lower the bar because you don't have one.

People represent themselves for many reasons: they can't afford a lawyer, their case is simple enough to handle alone, or they want more direct control over their case. Self-representation tends to work best in cases with clear facts, modest stakes, and well-defined procedures, like small claims or an uncontested filing.

It is not the same as having no help at all. Many courts have self-help centers, and many places have limited-scope ('unbundled') attorney services where a lawyer helps with just one part of your case, like reviewing a document, for a flat fee.

This app is designed to help you stay organized and understand the process in plain language. It does not replace legal advice, and for anything with serious stakes (losing your home, your children, or a large sum of money) it's worth at least a low-cost consultation with a local legal aid organization before deciding to go it alone.