I am now DIvorced
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| Mon, 03-28-2005 - 7:09pm |
Well, it's official - I am now a divorced woman. My ex-husband (wow, that's weird) and I had our appointment today with the Court Case Manager to go over all of the details. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half, and at the end of it we were told "Ok, the judge will sign this today, and you'll both receive copies in the mail, and that's it, you're divorced". I have to say it was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Even though I'm the one who wanted the divorce, this still was not an easy day.
I'm very glad my Ex and I were able to do this without fighting. I knew he wouldn't fight me on anything - he's just never been that type. I knew I'd be able to get everything I wanted out of the divorce, so I wasn't worried about custoday, the house, the truck, etc. And it was all done for $147 dollars!! We didn't use attorneys, we filed our own paperwork, and the Court Case Manager filled in any blanks we had.
My only problem now is where do I go from here? My Ex is convinced that he'll be able to win me back, because he says he's changed (haven't we all heard that before) but I know it'll never happen. I am being nice about everything, just because that's how I am, but my love died for him a long time ago. I know I need to focus on my own future, and that of my 15 year old daughter, but I feel kind of numb. I don't have a big support system of friends or family, so I'm kind of left to fend for myself on this one. I don't even go to an office everyday - I work out of my home, so I never get a chance to talk to anyone. I live in the middle of nowhere (New Hampshire) so there isn't a lot of activities around here, and I have some physical medical problems. It's very hard to see a happy life down the road with anyone else, but I know I have to figure out who I am first. I just don't like to think about how hard it's going to be.
I'm happy about the divorce - it was something that needed to happen, and I know I did the right thing. I just hope that life is going to be kind to me going forward.

--k
GOOD FOR YOU! But *I* want to VOMIT! Lord, i am 4K in & no where NEAR close to done!
Hi K -
The $147.00 was the filing fee for a "Joint Petition for Divorce". It was one sheet that was filled out by both of us, and it had to be notarized. After the form was filled out, I returned it to my local county family court division office and paid the filing fee. A few days later, I received paperwork in the mail, that needed to be completed, which included a financial affadavit, and a monthly expense form. I also received a Certificate of Divorce/Legal Separation, which only I received as the petitioner.
My Ex and I filled out our individual paperwork, and brought it to the Case Manager Meeting today. The Case Manager went over all of the paperwork, and any things we had not completed, she discussed it with us, and we decided. We covered custody, child support, the house, the vehicle, medical, etc.
Since my ex and I have been getting along, and to be perfectly honest, since everything was going to me anyway, I decided not to have the final stipulation reviewed by an attorney. I don't have the money for it either. I don't know if this can be done in all states, (I live in NH) but I would imagine it could? Since I live in a very rural, and remote location, that could be why the cost was so low.
I would suggest that you call you local county family court and ask if you can do the divorce on your own, and if they provide the documentation to be filed. That's all I did was call and ask questions, but it was my decision to not have an attorney involved at all. Here's the link to the New Hampshire Family Court Division site that might help answer some questions for you- http://www.courts.state.nh.us/fdpp/index.htm
Let me know if I can answer any other questions, and good luck.
suzq
Blessings to all,
Anna
I'm so impressed, congratulations to both of you for divorcing so amicably and efficiently. Ours has cost each of us tens of thousands of $'s and isn't done yet--after 2 years due to custody fights. Give yourself a huge pat on the back--you're off to a good start.
Treat yourself well, and enjoy your new freedoms. Being single isn't half bad when you were unhappily married. Try not ot isolate yourself at home, look for new things to do, new places to go and new people, men AND women, to meet.
Good luck--think of this as a journey or a new life experience. You will come to know and love yourself better than ever! That's the first step.