A big question ...need some advice

Avatar for linni241
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2003
A big question ...need some advice
5
Mon, 02-07-2005 - 5:06pm
Hi All...i need some advice.My stbx is the one paying for our divorce,he has choosen the attorney ect.Do you think i need to get a attorney?,i don't really have any money to pay for one..I could call legal aid i guess.Also i work in a doctors office and we know a few attorney's, i could get some advice from them.I also contacted the district attorney's office/family court to get paperwork for child support,they tell me it could take 4-6months to process...any advice would be great.I have a 6 month old baby look after and i am worried about finances after the divorce...tia Linda and baby Kai
Avatar for momtojoeybear
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 02-07-2005 - 5:59pm

At the very least, you need to either hire, or find an attorney to look through the settlement agreement that your stbx's attorney writes. This agreement is critically important in your future, as well as your stbx, and you just want to make sure your interests are protected... I'm not saying that you need to screw him... I'm just saying that you should make sure that someone with your interests in mind reviews the agreement, prior to you signing it...

Good Luck!

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Mon, 02-07-2005 - 7:26pm
Sometimes you can find an attorney to just review the agreement on your behalf and give you some advice for a few hundred $$. Review the agreement yourself first and make sure what you've agreed to is properly stated and seems fair (no need to pay the attorney to tell you that you're getting screwed if you already know that). I believe the clock starts on child support as soon as you file, so if it takes 6 months cs arrearages can accrue. You can estimate the cs and ask him to start paying it now so that he doesn't get behind from the outset. If he won't agree to that, then you need to find a way to get an attorney now. If he has money to pay the attorney, your attorney can force him to give you money to pay for yours (basically pay for it out of marital funds). Also, in my state I had to pay my ex spousal support during the separation, so sometimes getting a good attorney upfront can pay off.

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 02-10-2005 - 12:44pm

Yes.... find someone to look over the documents for you.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2005
Thu, 02-10-2005 - 1:31pm

His attorney does not have YOUR interest at heart. If your ex is a fair man, you can work that way, but go see an attorney. You can ask around and get some free informaiton from those that have gone through a divorce. Your ex might be being nice because you're willing to let him take you to the cleaners..........or, he might be being fair. Take care of yourself, no one else will!

Be informed, do some research. Go to a mediator, at least you'll have input. What happens if you don't agree to what he wants? Have you both agreed on everything and are just using an attorney to solidify the paperwork?

Be careful..........the papers are VERY important.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 02-10-2005 - 2:34pm
Definitely have your own attorney go over the draft agreement. If there is a big difference between your financial positions (he has all the money) then a good attorney may even be able to get your Stbx to pay his/her bill to represent YOU.