Well, I did it. I retained a D lawyer today. Gave him lots of details regarding assets, debts and current custody/visitation since W left. Also gave him a $hitload of money for a retainer. I have to complete a bunch more forms with more details and fax them back to him and he will file tomorrow. The lawyer seems to really know his stuff, and definitely is pro fathers-rights, particularly in my sitch.
The likelihood of getting everything I'm asking for (Sole Custody, marital home, my debts only, no maintenance) will depend on whether or not W tries to fight me. When filing, the state requires lawyer to include CS to me from W, based on a schedule (even though she only makes min. wage). However, I don't have to demand it from her, and I don't plan on asking her for it as long as she cooperates. They don't garnish wages here unless complaint it made from the recipient.
I will continue to pay her health/medical/dental insurance until the D is final, which the lawyer says is more than enough considering all the things I've continued to finance since she left S7 and I. He said I absolutely shouldn't pay her any more "allowance" regardless of any arrangement we had made before.
The truck she is driving is mine. It's in my name and the loan is mine. She can't buy me out, due to lack of financial resources, so it will be written into the order that she is to pay me for truck payment and insurance each month. If she is late or fails to pay, she will be legally obligated to relinquish the truck with no additional order.
Went to my insurance company today and had my beneficiary changed so that my parents would receive anything from it as trustees for S7 when he is no longer a minor.
Gotta make dinner and calm down a bit. Tough day.
Me 45 WAW 36 S8 T 15 M 12 Multiple PA's since 6/07 W moved out 10/25/09 I filed D 12/29/09 Sitch
