I got my papers today

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2007
I got my papers today
3
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:10pm
I got my divorce papers today. I have a few questions about the legal jargon.
A temporary injuntion was filed with a listing of 34 different things some which seem standard but still upset me. It said at the end "to make expenditures and incur indebtedness for reasonable and necessary living expenses for food, clothing, shelter, transportation and medical care.
"to make expenditures and incur indebtedness for reasonable attorney's fees and expenses in connection with this suit" Now to me that sounds like she expects me to pay for her lawyer.
Temporary order regarding our child. Appointing petitioner and respondent temporary joint managing conservators, and designating petitioner as the conservator who has the exclusive rights to designate the primary residence of the child. And of course the child support, health insurance and half of the child's uninsured medical expenses while the case is pending.
Now can someone explain what that means?
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2001
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:42pm

"to make expenditures and incur indebtedness for reasonable attorney's fees and expenses in connection with this suit" Now to me that sounds like she expects me to pay for her lawyer.

I'm not sure what this means, but it possibly could mean she wants you to pay her atty fees or allow her to have money to pay the fees. What's the beginning of this sentence say???

"temporary order regarding our child. Appointing petitioner and respondent temporary joint managing conservators, and designating petitioner as the conservator who has the exclusive rights to designate the primary residence of the child. And of course the child support, health insurance and half of the child's uninsured medical expenses while the case is pending."

This appears you have joint legal custody but she has (or so it seems) sole physical custody--she gets to decide where the child lives.
Half the insurance is for medical/dental, half uninsured is what isn't paid by insurance (deductables, medications, copays, etc)

Do you have an atty? These orders are temporary during the process of divorce, but for final divorce you should make sure you get joint legal AND physical custody and that the child cannot move out of state without your permission. You might want to request this NOW as this wording appears as if the mom can move out of state "exclusive rights to designate the primarey residence of the child". She can say "I want to move to Idaho" and you wont have any ground-or not much ground without a fight.

Hope that helps.....

Good luck!
Deb

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 12:05am
I agree with the last poster, if you have not secured counsel, you probably should.....
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 11:18pm
I know you've said you can't afford an attorney, but you have got to get one. You need to protect yourself and your child. Please take care of yourself.
Hugs, Brenda

Hugs, Brenda