New Jersey Man Claims AI Chatbot Helped Him Win Divorce Case

He Said, “Your Honor…”  Then Thanked ChatGPT! 

 File this under: “Wait, what?!” A self-employed contractor from New Jersey, Greg Simmons, has gone viral, and possibly made legal history, after crediting an AI chatbot with helping him represent himself in divorce court… and win. 

That’s right. No high-powered attorney. No paralegals. Just Greg, a laptop, and a paid subscription to an AI legal assistant. 

When in doubt, consult the bots 

As the story goes, Greg couldn’t afford the legal fees for his drawn-out divorce case. So he turned to technology. Using a commercially available AI legal assistant essentially a chatbot trained on U.S. law, he spent weeks preparing for court. 

Here’s what AI helped him do: 

• Draft and format legal documents 

• Interpret complex New Jersey divorce statutes 

• Simulate courtroom Q&As to rehearse testimony 

• Cite relevant case law for custody and asset division 

“I asked it everything from how to phrase objections to what counts as ‘commingled assets,’” Greg shared in a national morning show interview. “It never got tired and didn’t bill me $500 an hour.” 

And… it worked? 

To everyone’s surprise, including his ex-wife’s lawyer, Greg not only held his own in court, but walked away with a favorable ruling: joint custody of his kids and a 60/40 asset split. The presiding judge reportedly praised his preparedness, saying his presentation was “well-informed, persuasive, and legally sound.” 

Legal tech firms and family law experts were left scratching their heads. Some applauded the innovation; others warned of ethical gray areas. But the data doesn’t lie, legal tech platforms report a 300% surge in AI-assisted filings just this year. 

Why It’s Wild, But Real 

• AI didn’t practice law, but it helped someone navigate it. 

• Greg didn’t beat the system; he used it better. 

• This could be a turning point for access to justice in civil courts. 

Now, bar associations across the country are scrambling to update their rules around AI-aided self-representation. Meanwhile, Greg is being hailed as a symbol of a tech-fueled legal future. 

“I don’t hate lawyers,” he said with a grin. “I just couldn’t afford one. AI gave me a shot.” 

What We’re Watching: 

Is this just a fluke, or the beginning of do-it-yourself lawyering 2.0? 

Only time (and maybe another chatbot) will tell. But one thing’s clear: AI isn’t just writing emails anymore; it’s rewriting the rulebook.