I want to start a blog series, written in a journaling fashion. I want to talk about the perils of pro se representation with a narcissist and how to survive, because when you are in the throes of it, it seems like a never-ending cycle that is impossible to escape. Your life ends up under a microscope, with you feeling like every detail of your life is being critiqued and criticized. At times, you feel like you will literally lose your mind.

You don’t, though.

Instead, you can lose your good credit, your financial independence, and, to a certain extent, your personal freedom. All because a narcissist is incapable of letting go and moving on. All because someone feels entitled to what you have and worked hard to obtain. All because the narcissist feels that he should not have to support the children he created. All because the legal system allows more space and grace for pro se litigants than attorneys. And, it sucks. It really does.

I am not an attorney. I do, however, have a pre-law degree in Law and Policy. At one point in my life I thought about becoming an attorney. I think I might have been a good one, except I chickened out over the LSAT and chose to earn two Masters degrees, not knowing I would have to pass 18 separate exams. And now I am working to earn my Ph.D. But that is neither here nor there. The point is, I am not an attorney and nothing I share about my personal journey should be considered legal advice. If anything, my experience should reinforce why you should have a qualified attorney by your side. Pro se litigants proceed at their own peril. And as a result, put their own case at risk.

The advent of the Internet, and now with generative AI and large language models like ChatGPT, people have the false belief that they can represent themselves effectively in complex legal matters. After all, everything you need to know is right at your finger tips. But is it really? All too often pro se litigants can find themselves in a rabbit hole of knowledge making it easy to lose track. And think laws from other jurisdictions – or even countries like Australia – apply to their case, when, in actuality, they do not.

This same technology has also made it easier for lawyers to interact with the courts through e-filing portals. Unfortunately, that same access is granted to pro se litigants who then flood the system with frivolous documents and claims – which, by the way, the time to process is borne by us, the taxpaying citizens of whatever county and state the case is in.

I decided that it was also time to share my story, from my heart, and my perspective. I want to take the blindfold off of Lady Justice so you can see what can happen. I will stay as close to the facts as I can. After all, since this is going out on my blog, I do not need any more frivolous documents filed accusing me of libel and slander. I have had enough of those false accusations already. Did I mention that stalking is involved? Yeah. Remember, everything I do is examined under a microscope. Regardless of the restraining order. But wait – I’m getting ahead of myself.

The question then becomes, how do I organize a journey that started more than five years ago? And one that is, unfortunately, still going on. I decided that I would set it up like a television series with seasons and episodes. I’m still not sure how I will break up the seasons. By year? By changes in the case? Or by the different types of courts? It is so complicated, that I am not sure. But it is easy enough to start with Season 1, Episode 1.

Wait, they actually start with a pilot, don’t they? I think so. Since this is just the introductory post, we will refer to it as the pilot.

So sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to learn about my story, the legal system, and the pitfalls of pro se litigation. Trust me, everything I am about to share with you is true – unfortunately.