--184.4.xx.xx

I do myself almost every time. The few times where I was concerned, I hired the attorney. I never lost but I also never have filed if I wasn't 100% in the right. Easy here - rent is paid or not. If not, they have very specific course of action to follow.... I've never had to deal with that. --98.237.xxx.xx

I have never used a lawyer to represent me in court, though I did consult one when sued by a tenant for mold. --107.141.xx.xxx

One I sold the one that I had in the City a few years back (2019) I've rested a little easier because it was just a pain with all of the things they require and the tenants were HORRIBLE. --69.201.xx.xxx

I used to do mine and at one point i was doding a bunch for other landlords but NY state complicated it so much in 2019 i am not comfortable doing them and very few attorneys will even do them now, more than 1 attorney has told me it is so difficult they will do there best but no promises.we cant do it ourselves if the property is in a llc but i got away with it for years,then we had a real old attorney who stand up there and let the landlord do the talking,$50 and he would represent 4-6 landlords every thursday,he should not have been practicing anymore but that was not up to me --74.77.xx.xx

In small claims only. In big boy court, I take a big boy (or girl) with me. --68.1.xxx.xx

California is not a DIY state for anything except small claims. --23.162.xx.x

--12.196.xxx.xxx

I always agree to meet with the mediator because you want to look cooperative. In these meetings it is easy to get the resident to acknowledge they owe you money or did the damage. Then back in front of the judge you can refer to this and the mediator is a witness. I'm not too worried about the 2019 laws. Basically they can pay you at any time up untill the sheriff enters and you have to keep them. OR they can make a case that you need to wait till school is over or they are bedridden or whatever because they need to stay in their 'community'. Nothing a lawyer can help w there. Don't file for a money judgemnt, file for posession. Do the money afterwards in small claims. --67.240.xx.xx

Since I do not have a lot of court cases I think it is better this way. Every court case is a show of my failure so the burn is a life lesson. --107.147.xx.xx

--76.129.xxx.xx

I've only used an attorney once because I was out of the country when the goober decided to stop paying rent. In the few evictions I've had over the years, I've only ever had the tenant show up twice. Once was when the attorney was handling it and the second time was when the tenant wanted to "see what it was like". So far, I haven't lost a case (knock on wood) so I can't tell you they hurt or help. If you are keeping up with the state laws, have detailed paperwork, and are not intimidated by the courtroom setting, have visited court and sat in on a few proceedings so you understand the flow, and don't live in highly liberal setting, I can't imagine that a lawyer would really offer that much value in eviction court. --72.216.xx.xxx

I have to wonder - would having an attorney achieve those goals better than not having one. Perhaps, as they are specialist about making deals and negotiating outcomes. --24.101.xxx.xxx

2. a counter suit was filed for lead poisoning --198.168.xx.xxx

I would like to represent myself, but it seems you can't if the property is included in an LLC (in Indiana). My lawyer doesn't want to go to a neighboring county where I need to file for some back rent. Usually when the attorney does accompany me in this county. I do all the talking. And I've won, all but 1 in which I was blindsided by something that was untrue. --64.184.xx.xx

Represented ourselves. 4 evictions. Won each. 3 said they just didn't pay to the judge-kudos for the honesty. The 4th tried to sat they did but didn't pay the full late fee and that was what prompted the eviction-also had enough of the attitude. I had the paperwork and they owed for an extra month and those late fees. --174.198.xxx.xxx

I have always used an attorney, but keep in mind I've only needed one twice in the 15 years of landlording we did. I'd say if I had lots of units and was going to court a lot, I'd probably get a feel for the "easy" cases and represent myself on those after getting some experience about what judges need to see and arguments to make etc....but if you have any doubts I'd use a lawyer. --64.38.xxx.xxx

I wish I could self represent here in nd for a llc you are not allowed to. --76.10.xxx.xx