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  Posted to group - What do i do now    <<Previous    Next>>

Sinking fast...

I'm officially drowning now.... served divorce papers 5 mos ago. Got a temp visitation order in place 4 months ago, but it was retracted a month later!. New hearing for the same thing again set for next week with a new judge presiding. I just got the latest accounting from my counsel... I'm already $11k in the hole ... AND NOTHING HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED YET! No divorce yet. No parenting plan agreed to yet. No visitation plan in place yet. STBX wont consider mediation, keeps refusing it. STBX / opposing counsel keeps postponing his deposition (his counsel is always "unavailable" but no alternate dates are given!). I just filed my taxes, will have to turn over entire refund to counsel and then I think he's still going to drop me. He knows I'm tapped out financially, I'm now officially living well under paycheck to paycheck with bills overflowing and still trying to keep a roof over our heads (me & child). STBX's plan is to drive me into poverty, force me to lose home and everything elseso I can (as he tells family members) "move back home and we can be a family again". In other words, (what's he's really saying to me) "Who are YOU to leave me? You'll leave when I say you can leave and I'll find you no matter where you go"    What happens if this 2nd attny drops me because they know I can't afford what they are now calling a "highly litigious case". I've mentioned other counsel is VERY hostile towards me for some reason (not sure if it's all show for STBX's benefit or not??? ) and I believe it's not just the STBX that's trying to play hardball. I think other attny sees a nice sucker/ cashcow and is taking it for what it's worth, no matter the outcome. I cant afford to do anymore filings and court dates ... especially when nothing is getting resolved. What are my options here? I've tried legal aid, they told me I didnt qualify. We did previously  file the motion to have STBX cover legal fees, but I'm being told that this may not come thru either...  even though he is the one needlessly dragging this thru the court. I'm also being told that standing up in court against his attny woudl not be a smart idea... but I'm broke! No credit, can't get a loan, already asked friends / famiily for original retainer so no help there either... etc etc etc... Any ideas?? Anyone "been there and done that" and would be able to provide some pointers or insight??

by EVE31   44 Posts 
Posted on 3/5/2009 12:56 AM
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Tags: help , debt , attorney dropped case ,
recusal , financial ruin , custody ,
hearing , stbx , florida


Answers for "Sinking fast..."  (4) (You must be logged in to answer)




We are 22K under after 15 months.  And yes he is dragging it out - trying to wait me out as every proposal I get is lower than the one before --- and my attorney is a slug and non-fighter though I was told the opposite when I talked to others she helped.  I am so sorry  about all of this -- I wish I could walk away -- but he makes four times more than me and after 22 years of raising my kids and being a stay at home mom he owes me something.  You are owed something too.
by scared27years   283 Posts
Posted on 3/5/2009 8:41 PM
0





I've been in exactly that same spot and I'm telling you, from one person to another, there's a time to press and there's a time to pause.  In  my case, I did not fight to the ends of the earth to get what I was entitled to.  I looked ast the cost of a long divorce as compared to getting my freedom sooner rather than later and chose to agree with my ex's terms.  Was it easy?  No.  I lost out on many counts (including having to pay his attorney fees).  However, I got my freedom which is priceless, my name back, which is priceless, and I'm now rebuilding everything so the next go around in court over custody is one I'm guaranteed to win.

Sometimes you have to take one step back to take 10 leaps forward.  Do your best and know that that's enough.  I wish you the best.  I'm sorry you're going through this.
by KV   428 Posts
Posted on 3/5/2009 10:30 AM
0





Hit man?
by Heartbrokepicker   418 Posts
Posted on 3/5/2009 8:19 AM
1





this is a terrible situation and he is controlling the entire divorce. i've heard of this before, where one party basically does everything to make the divorce impossible...

if you've tried all options...what about talking to a paralegal for advice...they may be more affordable?  or why not go to court without a lawyer and just tell the truth to the judge?

you can't give up and just go back to someone who's primary goal is to ruin you as you say.....is he aware that ruining you means ruining his childs life as well?    i don't get men like this...my ex tried the same...it's gross.

call the court house...most have services that explain  how to file and get a court date without a lawyer.  i'm sure having a lawyer is better....but really, what can you do at this point?
by paula1   12662 Posts
Posted on 3/5/2009 7:57 AM
0







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