For years Debra Williamsen felt out of luck, powerless to collect the share of property she claimed was hers under a 1999 divorce settlement. Living on disability payments and unable to afford a lawyer, the Hagar Township woman heard from a friend that help was available for people who want to represent themselves in court.
Williamsen dropped in at the Self-Help Legal Resource Center in the Berrien County Courthouse and learned how to file for a new court judgment.
On a recent day Williamsen was back at the center with her longtime friend, Etta Little, filling out the paperwork to seek a lien on the property, which is being sold. Williamsen said she's confident she will get the $39,000 she was supposed to receive 12 years ago.
Without the center's help in providing forms and instructions, "I would just be out in the cold," she said.
Little previously had success handling her own case, which involved enforcement of a settlement for money. She said the center helped her through the process.
"If you don't have the resources to get things done, this is where to come," said Little, who is also disabled.
Jennifer Willhite of Coloma, visiting the center on the same day to complete paperwork for a child support matter, first used a self-help legal facility while living in Las Vegas. "They've been great here," she said. "They do a great service."
Willhite said she contacted a lawyer about representing her in the support case but could not afford the $1,500 fee.
"That's two house payments," she said.
Without the information she gets at the center, Willhite said she would have had to go to court unprepared, perhaps hurting her chances.
www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2011/08/07/local_news/5727533.txt
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