FLTC, any chance you can work it out with W via a mediator? Getting a lawyer will put you in a hole. For my STBXW and I we just sat down and worked everything out on paper and then did it online. There were a few minor arguments but we were civil with each other and tried to look out the best for the kids no matter what. I think in some way I'm very lucky that she has never been a material person and don't care about possessions and neither am I. I know my BIL is getting cleaned out by his W for a divorce. She wants everything. It is funny that 7 years of marriage and the only thing we've never ever argued over is money. Which is supposedly the major contributing factor towards divorces according to stats. It really helps not to be bitter toward the other person when you do this....
But yes, once you get served, everything is locked down to prevent some people from spend like crazy and etc. You just have to figure what works for the family and hopefully your W will be civil about it. That's probably the primary factor. If your W is out to take you to the cleaners then you have no choice but to get a L.
M: 31 W: 31 M: 7 T: 8 S:4 D:2 Bomb dropped: too many to count or remember, 12/17/07 last one S on 9/2/07 W sent off D papers 12/31/07. Me trying to live life and hope she returns one day.
