is it possible to go to court for custody of a child without an attorney?

My daughter is in another state (very far away) with her father. We were never married and there is no court order for child support or visitation. I want to go there and file for custody of my daughter. However, I have no money for an attorney. A good child custody attorney begins at $3000 and that’s just the retainer!! She is in a bad situation how can I get her back without an attorney??! Is it possible to do? Or will the judge order I get an attorney?

You need an attorney especially if you are out of state. The judge won’t order you to have one, but your chances are not that good without having a fair idea of the law and producing evidence that she ‘is in a bad situation.’ If Social Services has been called, then you have a lot of help there.