Time to get the placement of the kids, payments and division of property settled and move forward...Next big events are Mediation for the kids placement and moving out. My new life is starting to look pretty good, even from here!
How can we help?
I'm not sure how you can help. Got any ideas?
On Wednesday night, W and I are going to try to divide our possessions so that I can start packing this weekend while she and the kids are out of town and move the following weekend.
She has given me the use of the truck in the temporary order and it is worth $10,000 according to the blue book private seller price. Because I am getting that asset, she thinks she is entitled to whatever else she wants in terms of furntiture and appliances. We could have an appraiser come in and value all of our stuff, but I think we can probably agree on who gets what. I just have to be realistic, since I am getting the truck, or, I guess I could sell it and see what I get.
We'll just sit down and hammer it out I suppose. We both want the same table, so someone will have to give in. She wants to keep the high efficiency washer and dryer and all the appliances. We both want the grill. She wants the china and to give me the crappy dishes, but the china came from my family. I guess I didn't want it at wedding time, so I should probably just forego it. She wants me to take all the tools (I have lots of them) and the fishing/hunting equipment.
I don't know. I'm sure it will be "fun". She said she needs the computer because she can't afford to buy a new one. I said that I can't afford to buy a new grill either. I've just got to remember to keep this civil and move on. I can replace possessions eventually.
Who has been through mediation of child placement. Since she has told her sister that she thinks the current placement arrangement will carry-through to the final decree, I'm guessing she won't agree to split placement in mediation. What will the mediator do then? Is it just wasted time? I suppose that we will have a guardian ad-litem appointed then and he will interview us and the kids. The kids are 9 & 11. If they say they want to live with Mom, will he give her primary placement?
The problem with never having been through this is that I don't know what I don't know, so I don't know what to ask you for help with. I'm planning to just take it as it comes and make the best of it. I figure that I am at rock bottom now and it probably can't get any worse, so I am ready. I will do all I can to fight for my kids and will prepare my best for mediation. I will take your phrases (R2C) and put them to use along with any other level-headed information I can.
I really can't wait to move out. I would love to move now, but don't need to make another rent payment if I don't have to.
If you can think of anything that I should know, please feel free to hit me over the head with it.
