How do you deal with . . .

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2007
How do you deal with . . .
2
Tue, 01-16-2007 - 10:57am

I'm wondering how you all, who are in the middle of divorce, or have gone through divorce, deal with "not having the money" to pay for certain legal issues.

My divorce is no where near being finalized, and the bill is already over $7000!! I'm having to pay for mediation up front, and have had to borrow the $300 for it. I only get $200/wk in spousal support, and due to physical issues cannot work right now. I also have to come up with the $$ for subpoena's that will cover supposed stocks and a retirement fund. Throughout my marriage I knew nothing about these, but my stbx claimed them as assets in his divorce decree. He and his slimy atty will not produce the statements for these, and I cannot afford to get the subpoena's. My atty's office will not work with me on these costs, due to me alienating them recently-another novel for another day!!lol

I'm facing walking away from this 23 year marriage with nothing!! I have a car, in my name, that I cannot have. I feel as though I am fighting for every morsel of "something" that I get!!

Just wondering how you all have, or are dealing with this!!

Thanks!!
Laurene

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Tue, 01-16-2007 - 12:51pm

In mediation I think there is an obligation to produce all relavent records. He isn't mediating if he isn't cooperating. I can't tell you what to do about paying your lawyers ... could you get any kind of home equity loan??

Oh I am so sorry.

M

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2007
Wed, 01-17-2007 - 2:17pm

Ny;

Thanks so much for the post!!!

I don't own the home I live in so that's out. The marital home cannot be used for collateral on a loan, other than refinancing it.

In the county that the divorce was filed, the judge can demand that mediation begin, after 2 settlement hearings are attended. Since this had dragged out as long as it has, and we could not come to an agreement just through the atty's, then the judge steps in and enforces mediation.

I am not looking forward to this!! I know that he's going to come across as the nicest guy in the world, and make it look like it's all my fault. That's how it always goes.

I was able to borrow the money for the mediation, it got mailed out this morning. Last week, I called my atty trying to get out of the mediation. Explained that I didn't have the money, etc, and in doing that I p*&^%$d off my atty. Now when I call, or go there like I had to do this morning to drop off some paperwork, and I get is HUGE attitude!!

I'm considering finding a new atty but am unsure of what that would do to the case.

Thanks for listening!!
Laurene