Ms Ladybug is MOVING OUT.

[ms ladybug]

I retained my atty today. It makes me feel better being able to discuss everything with her. The divorce paperwork is pretty daunting, so it was nice to say, "Here. You do it." The retainer fee pays for 10hrs of service, after that it's $250/hr (I know, I should have become a lawyer). It just seems very business like at this point.

As for the house, h said he'd sign the house over to me, if I could refinance. I don't think I can do it. I think it's upside down at this point, and not able to refinanced. Atty said if the mortgage was going to be a strain on me (it would) then I should let it go. She said that I shouldn't have to be clipping coupons to pay the mortgage because I wouldn't have any $ for fun stuff with the kids, and h would end up being "Disneyland-dad". H said if I don't refi, he wants to sell the house. Again, I don't think there's a chance we'd come out even on it. I hope he'll hold on to it until it's a better time to sell.

As far as cs, his atty calculated $314/mo. Mind you, we have 2 kids! This is based not on my salary...but my POTENTIAL salary if I worked more hours (I already work 32hrs/wk). He also stated that he wants 40% custody. He wants the kids from noon Tues to noon Fri!! Now, he has not had an overnight visit in the 15mos we've been sep. Nor has he seen them more than maybe 1/mo on his own. Suddenly he wants 40%? Again, not going to happen. In no way am I going to keep his kids from having a relationship with him, but to go from 0-40% ?? In my mind, and I've just started this thought process, I'm thinking 1.5-2days/wk. would be fair. I think this would put it at 25%. Again, lots to think about.