Going straight forward...antlers 6th thread.

[Gardener]

antlers,
Even when you trust your attorney, keep in mind that so much of this is no longer between you and her: it's attorney vs. attorney. Their reputations and egos require them to go after and get as much as they can. To "win" for their client? Yeah, to some extent. But also to beat the other attorney.

My attorney (who really has just been advising throughout the Mediation process with another lawyer/mediator), said to me on more than one occasion,
"You want this!"
"Um, no I don't."
"Oh, yes you do!"
"No. I. Don't."

Have I taken some hits financially? Yeah, and she's taken a couple, too.

And I advise everyone to avoid Mediation like the plague. At least through regular litigation, the lawyers communicate and negotiate. In mediation, you're in that office sitting across from your spouse at every meeting. Emotion is always front and center.

It is said that marriage is about love; divorce is business. Don't get caught up in the business so much that you lose sight of all that you've learned about yourself. Or your dignity and integrity.

My hard-earned $.02.

Good luck.