I am so overwhelmed at the moment and fearing my free-spirit is about to be crushed. I have been with my husband for 8 years, 6 of those years CL. He informed me of this divorce while I was out of the country, June, and I did not return to until mid October, thus I have only been really dealing with the issues for only the last 6 weeks. I am on long term disability, he makes a very good wage, and we have no assets but debts, of which I carry because of his bankruptcy from his last marriage. We also have no children or property. In order for me to survive, I will need SS, without it, I am looking at ending up in a woman’s shelter come May.
Upon going to the courthouse, speaking with the FL council, I was informed legal aid does not handle divorce and that I would need to do the appropriate paperwork myself. It just seems that each time I ask for help I am directed to another avenue only told to go back to legal aid (vicious circle syndrome). I have tried doing all of this alone; however, because of where my head is at I am simply not able to fill them out. I become physically sick and I am in danger of exacerbating my disease from the stresses in my life.
My husband has retained a lawyer and proceedings, I am informed, will begin shortly to determine a settlement. I have tried to speak to him concerning the settlement and in return I received a letter from his lawyer telling me to ‘have my lawyer call his’. I also emailed him regarding some property he took out of our home that belonged to me, and I was met with a brick wall in which he says all communication must now be done between the lawyers. I have no money to retain counsel.<O
Here is what I ask y’all:<O
Upon going to the courthouse, speaking with the FL council, I was informed legal aid does not handle divorce and that I would need to do the appropriate paperwork myself. It just seems that each time I ask for help I am directed to another avenue only told to go back to legal aid (vicious circle syndrome). I have tried doing all of this alone; however, because of where my head is at I am simply not able to fill them out. I become physically sick and I am in danger of exacerbating my disease from the stresses in my life.
My husband has retained a lawyer and proceedings, I am informed, will begin shortly to determine a settlement. I have tried to speak to him concerning the settlement and in return I received a letter from his lawyer telling me to ‘have my lawyer call his’. I also emailed him regarding some property he took out of our home that belonged to me, and I was met with a brick wall in which he says all communication must now be done between the lawyers. I have no money to retain counsel.<O
Here is what I ask y’all:<O
- · Should I file the paperwork right away and take my chances with the courts to decide a settlement or should I take a back seat and wait to see what his lawyer does? (I realize our relationship is not long term yet without the support I am left in dire financial distress).
- · Should I borrow money from a friend first so I could have a meeting with a lawyer to see what viable options I have? Example, splitting the debt and deciding what dollar value SS should be and for how long a period.<O
- · Would I be entitled to a portion of his pension? And should I even broach that subject?<O
- · If there is mediation, would the option of asking for a lump sum (a one-time payment) be a good idea?
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