Custody. Lawyer or no?

I was planning on filing for full custody, no visitation in maybe a month or two.
We currently do not have any custody agreement in place. BD has no interest in being a father, I highly doubt he'll even show up to the court date.
So, here's the situation.
My lawyer charges $1,500 to do a legal custody agreement.
My friend said that I could borrow her paper work, take out the information and write down my own and file for maybe $100.
Question 1: I'm not sure what all I would have to do if I filed on my own. Would they send BD the information on the court date or would I need to?
Question 2: Is there anything I need to know if I filed on my own?
Question 3: Considering I'm about 99.5% sure BD will not show up to a court date for custody, would you file on your own or use a lawyer?

ETA: (No, I'm not really looking for input on the custody status I'm filing for, just the questions mentioned. It's basically the way things are now, I have LO in my presence constantly, BD has seen him once willingly in two years [once when his parents tricked him, long story]. I'm not doing it to be spiteful or be a bitch though, just FYI)

Get a lawyer. It's expensive but they know all the ins and outs plus if he does show up you'll have a professional on your side.

Quoting 3 little monsters:" Get a lawyer. It's expensive but they know all the ins and outs plus if he does show up you'll have a professional on your side. "

That's honestly what I feel most comfortable with, but I have two friends that each filed on their own and got what they wanted and are trying their hardest to convince me to do it as well lol.
I just kinda don't like leaving it up in the air though. I'd rather just have a lawyer there with me in case he gets a wild hair up his ass, which is also why I want an actual legal custody agreement lol.

I would get a lawyer. It will be worth it in the long run even if it doesnt seem like it is worth the cost now.

Quoting IDID-VBAC 12/09:" I would get a lawyer. It will be worth it in the long run even if it doesnt seem like it is worth the cost now. "

 

Quoting Vodka Knockers:" That's honestly what I feel most comfortable with, but I have two friends that each filed on their own ... [snip!] ... a lawyer there with me in case he gets a wild hair up his ass, which is also why I want an actual legal custody agreement lol."

I'm SO glad I got a laywer, the case drug on for months and eventually he stopped paying his lawer but mine was prepaid so she kept going. I was overseas at the time. She found all these loophole from the get go. First he tried serving me and his lawyer said I had 10 days to respond. I hired MY lawyer and she put a foot up their ass saying I had 30 days. I would have been screwed, not knowing any of my rights if my lawyer hadn't been there covering my ass. SO worth the money in case he tries ANYTHING!

Quoting 3 little monsters:" I'm SO glad I got a laywer, the case drug on for months and eventually he stopped paying his lawer but ... [snip!] ... not knowing any of my rights if my lawyer hadn't been there covering my ass. SO worth the money in case he tries ANYTHING! "

That's something I'm afraid of, just the unexpected.
I do not think he will show up. However, his girlfriend is a vindictive bitch who would force him to show up to prove a point.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Vodka Knockers:</b>" That's something I'm afraid of, just the unexpected. I do not think he will show up. However, his girlfriend is a vindictive bitch who would force him to show up to prove a point."</blockquote>


See my ex's family was like that. He never would have fought me or pushed for anything if they hadn't been yapping his ear off pushing him. I firmly believe he stopped paying his lawyer and told them some lie so they would get off his case. I just had to wait it out because he had zero interest in being a dad. He just wanted to be the victim, poor him and evil me taking his daughter away so he wouldn't have the responsibility or any guilt. I was fine with taking on that role it just cost me out the ass. I honestly think he was relieved, our case was dropped leaving things as they were in the beginning, me with custody and him still with the right to fight for it. I haven't heard from him in 6 years now.

Be very careful. I ended up paying $10k and just had to give up cause I was unemployed. Court and lawyers are money making machines that will take you for everything you have and don't have. Good luck. Be wise.

I would get a lawyer. Call your state bar and ask if there are any lawyers in your area accepting pro bono cases and then call them and see if one will take you.

lawyers most time won't pro bono custody cases unless it's high profile...I did mine with out a lawyer.. but that's because my ex stood no chance.. I made sure his parents knew regardless what happened their relationship with their granddaughter wouldn't change.. so they did put a bug in his ear or have any want to help him out