This is the space no one prepares you for. You lose someone you love, and suddenly you’re in the middle of probate or trust litigation. You need legal help—but where do you turn?

If you call free legal aid, you’ll probably hear: “Sorry, we don’t handle those kinds of cases.” They’re overwhelmed with urgent needs like evictions and domestic violence, and inheritance disputes don’t make the cut.

So, you look for a lawyer. And then you see the price tag: $10,000 just to get started. Maybe more. For most families, that’s not realistic.

And there you are—caught in the middle. Too “well off” for free help, too broke to hire a lawyer. And still, the court dates keep coming.

That’s the legal gap I found myself in. I had to contest a trust without a lawyer, because I couldn’t afford one. It wasn’t easy. Probate court has its own rules, deadlines, and language, and most of it feels designed for attorneys—not regular people. But I learned. I showed up. And slowly, I figured out how to move my case forward.

Here’s what I realized: you can represent yourself in probate court. You can contest a trust or will without a lawyer. It’s intimidating, but it’s possible—and sometimes, it’s the only option.

That’s why I created Pro Per Probate. Because I don’t want anyone else to sit in that gap feeling invisible. You’re not invisible—you just need the right tools to be heard