This is my second post on this forum so please forgive me if there is too much info on the post.
I had a lawyer until last week when I was told that he needed a 10 grand or more retainer to go to trial. So going forward I will be self represented, that being said I have no clue what to do and have a million questions. So I will try to ask a few key questions here and try not to bog down the forum too much.
I will say that I have tried with no success not to got to trial, I have sent 3 offers to settle that have all been ignored. In my last OTS I said that I was willing to go to mediation which again has been ignored. In the beginning of our separation my Ex said she would be willing to do anything and everything to remain friends. She kept using the phrase 'in the best interest of the children' then as soon as I would not do what she told me it was game over. She started to get hostile and would not try to work things out. She sent me a 70 page separation agreement that was outrageous (had clauses in there such as I could only see the children at Christmas every other year) Then when I would sign it, I was the one who was being unreasonable and argumentative. So that is how things got started, pretty much has been down hill ever since. I thought things would get better when I got a lawyer, but it did not. I would send a question or request through her lawyer via my lawyer, the reply would be 5 questions/issues for me and no reply to my original question. This included the issue of financial disclosure which I have asked her (via her lawyer) for 7 times and it has been ordered by the courts now twice. She has not sent me nor filed a financial disclosure and our trial is days away (as soon as the Trial Co-ordinator calls) So I do not know what my options are? I asked this question in another post and got some answers (which were very helpful) What I want to know is what/how to ask for the court to compel her to disclose this information? If she has not obeyed 2 court orders already why would she follow something else?
Some of the other questions I have are just overall trial questions. Other then watching the occasional episode of Law and Order I have never been involved in a trial.
I would be grateful for anyone's help on these questions:
*How do I present evidence? I have some documents that prove things she is saying are not true.
*What are some questions that I should ask, and other issues that I should stay away from?
*What should I say in my 'opening argument'?
I suppose I could go on and on with the questions I have going on in my head right now. Like our son has asthma (pretty severe) and she is a smoker, do I bring this up? I want to make myself look good and do no want to spend time trying to make her look bad (does that make sense) ...Please help!
I had a lawyer until last week when I was told that he needed a 10 grand or more retainer to go to trial. So going forward I will be self represented, that being said I have no clue what to do and have a million questions. So I will try to ask a few key questions here and try not to bog down the forum too much.
I will say that I have tried with no success not to got to trial, I have sent 3 offers to settle that have all been ignored. In my last OTS I said that I was willing to go to mediation which again has been ignored. In the beginning of our separation my Ex said she would be willing to do anything and everything to remain friends. She kept using the phrase 'in the best interest of the children' then as soon as I would not do what she told me it was game over. She started to get hostile and would not try to work things out. She sent me a 70 page separation agreement that was outrageous (had clauses in there such as I could only see the children at Christmas every other year) Then when I would sign it, I was the one who was being unreasonable and argumentative. So that is how things got started, pretty much has been down hill ever since. I thought things would get better when I got a lawyer, but it did not. I would send a question or request through her lawyer via my lawyer, the reply would be 5 questions/issues for me and no reply to my original question. This included the issue of financial disclosure which I have asked her (via her lawyer) for 7 times and it has been ordered by the courts now twice. She has not sent me nor filed a financial disclosure and our trial is days away (as soon as the Trial Co-ordinator calls) So I do not know what my options are? I asked this question in another post and got some answers (which were very helpful) What I want to know is what/how to ask for the court to compel her to disclose this information? If she has not obeyed 2 court orders already why would she follow something else?
Some of the other questions I have are just overall trial questions. Other then watching the occasional episode of Law and Order I have never been involved in a trial.
I would be grateful for anyone's help on these questions:
*How do I present evidence? I have some documents that prove things she is saying are not true.
*What are some questions that I should ask, and other issues that I should stay away from?
*What should I say in my 'opening argument'?
I suppose I could go on and on with the questions I have going on in my head right now. Like our son has asthma (pretty severe) and she is a smoker, do I bring this up? I want to make myself look good and do no want to spend time trying to make her look bad (does that make sense) ...Please help!
Comment