Met with L. Financial Early Neutral Evaluation (FENE) in MN is a new way to resolve D before filing. Couples meet with a retired judge or lawyer that handles the cases. They present him with their financials, history, case etc. The evaluator simply states what he thinks the judge would decide if the case would go to court. This is done most of the time before either party files and then they joint file or file with what the judge recommends. A way for the state to push through cases in a hurry.
My W's L is not a family L and has not done a D since 2006. So he has never even heard of a FENE and my L had to help explain to his secretary what it was. If she would have had a family L we would have done this several months ago instead my W is pissed at me for not settling directly with her and going this route. After the FENE is when parties go to mediation with a better understanding of what is possible. We have not done this FENE or even talked about mediation but her L is making me look like an arse because all I am doing is dragging it out. I have not done a thing to drag it out unless consulting a L and taking his advice (who is a family lawyer) is dragging it out.
As her L does not know anything about this new process they did not have any financials statements submitted which were due last week. So we are going in with no idea of their claims or her current financial status.
She also needs to make a claim personally to start out the process as she is the petitioner. I highly doubt that her L has told her that she needs to speak as he has no clue what is going on himself. So I am sure that I will be the cause of that and it will not make her happy.
"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Matthew 6:33
