I did recently do a consult with a lawyer. She's an expert in family law and she checked the filing and it does not look like MLC/W has an attorney. Looks like she just filed.
She recommended suggesting to MLC/W that I'd like for my attorney to draft up the final papers once we have agreed to everything. No less than joint physical custody. Because she makes more than me (my business collapsed and I switched careers, so I am in the process of re-building), she said this would be to my advantage. Spousal maintenance is not gender-specific. Our debt could be split disproportionately so that I am able to afford a decent place for the children.
She also said I may be able to use this as leverage to get her to agree to legal separation. I can let her know that I will drop any attempts at spousal maintenance if she agrees to 50/50 terms in a legal separation.
I have not sat down with W to discuss any of this yet, nor have I let her know that I sought counsel. The price the lawyer quoted for retention seemed reasonable.
