Is a lawyer required at a hearing?

Questioner

In a month I have a court case. My ex-girlfriend's husband has filed for step-parent adoption in court. I am not sure now whether it is mandatory or whether I need to hire a lawyer for the hearing. I also do not pay alimony. Can the judge impose this without it being requested? This assumes that the step-parent adoption is not granted. Or can the judge demand contact between my child and me? The Council for the Judiciary has already conducted a preliminary investigation into the case and has advised that the step-parent adoption should not be granted.

Lawyer

Good morning, In a procedure in which a request is made for step-parent adoption, you are not obliged to engage a lawyer. You can independently conduct an oral defence. If you wish to conduct a written defence by means of a statement of defence, you must do so through the intervention of a lawyer. It is also advisable to have a lawyer assist you who is familiar with the (legal) test for granting/rejecting the request. If you would like to know more about this, you can of course contact us. The judge can only determine an amount of child and/or spousal support if this has been requested.