My understanding is that Ls make asking for EVERYTHING in the petition a common practice. This paves the way for maximum conflict and ensures a bitter 'contest'. In the worst case respondents are so devastated by the D filing that they do not respond and so lose EVERYTHING by default. But at minimum this ensures $$$ for the Ls professional or not. Your L knew full well that there wasn't sufficient reason to give your W 0 custody. It would not hurt in this case to talk to an L to understand the what D might entail and prepare for it financially and otherwise.
