just want to pick up on your conversation about friends knowing. you said you think your friends H knew and covered, so your friend may not - you dont know how much your friend and her H talk about this sort of stuff. she may also have felt torn.
If your concerned, ask. but some distance may help regardless why the legal stuff is going on.
I will say this though (and i say it a lot at work) - Never put down to conspiracy things which are as easily explained by incompetence.
Both mid 30s, 2 young kids BD 7sep14 XW moved on long ago, now living with OM1 D paperwork in progress