divorce question

This seems more complicated than you indicate.

Are there a lot of assets that need to be divided? or some other complications?

There must be an hourly rate charged by this lawyer. Your mother should know exactly where she stands on her "bill."

The lawyer knows the financial status of this couple. Why does SHE have to come up with the costs/

As I understand what the OP is saying, the OP's mother is being told by her attorney that the retainer that she has paid to get the attorney to represent her has run out, and he/she needs to be paid another $3,000 in order to continue to represent her in the divorce case.

In answer to the OP's question, your mother is able to represent herself. Although it is certainly advisable to be represented by an attorney, one is not required. And if your mother does not have the money to afford private counsel, and assuming she is not able to get representation through legal aid, self-representation may be her only option. I would suggest you check with the local bar association to see if they have any low cost or pro bono options available. It is extremely unlikely the court would appoint an attorney to represent her at no cost -- I've never heard of that ever happening in a divorce case.

There is no reason for your mother to wait or to continue paying a lawyer who is not acting in her best interest. Your mother can do a do-it-yourself divorce. That's what I did when I divorced my husband many years ago. I completed and filed the papers with the court, served the papers on my husband, waited the appropriate amount of time, made an appearance in court and we were divorced about a year later.

The difference is that we had no children or assets to fight over who gets what. Your mother's divorce could be more complicated and she'll have to be very careful to make sure her rights and interests are protected.

Do a google search on "do it yourself divorce" and you'll find several sites that offer the forms for every state in the US.

Nolo Press used to have some good booklets that were helpful in self representation in a divorce. Take a look online and check them out at the library if you can't afford to buy them.