The Fight For Self III

[CT1118]

I spoke to my benefits people yesterday. Seems I am allotted a free 60 minute legal council as part of my employment package. I was actually there looking for financial advice to help with debt and the legal thing got mentioned. "Why not, its part of my salary" I thought and I did not even know it existed for me.

So I made the call to set it all up. Still do not want divorce, but hey, why not get some advice? So I called and found the entire thing to be like a satyr of television America. I am also skeptical by nurture (read my old threads if you need further insight into my head). Keep in mind, this call was just to set up a meeting, not the meeting itself.

First thing, before my name even, I am informed the call must be recorded (she said must, not will) and then I was asked if that was ok? I told her "the must did not indicate choice, so I guess it must be ok if I wish to proceed, correct?" She said that I was correct. Get my name and ask why I want advice "I am separated". Phone woman "Ok sir, let me ask you questions to get you to the correct divorce attorney".
"Wait, I did not say I wanted to get a divorce, I said I am separated. I just want to know what my legal standing is at this time"

Phone woman "Ok sir, these are things I have to say. How long have you been legally separated?"

"I am not legally separated, we are just apart and it has been for 6 months"

Phone woman "Ok, when will you be seeking legal separation?"

"I won't be if I have any say in it. I just want to speak with a lawyer and ask them the legal questions I have about my life. Such as shared debt and state laws"

Phone woman"Sir, would you expect this divorce to be uncontested or will there be contest"

"I don't know. I am not planning on divorcing, I want to be prepared if it comes, that's all"

Phone woman "so its that a yes?"

"No. I said I don't know"

Phone woman "Will you expect there to be a custody battle during the divorce?"

" I am sorry, I am not sure I have been clear. I am not seeking to divorce and do not know what the future holds. I just want to get an appointment with a lawyer"

Phone woman " we have to ask these questions sir, is t your answer yes?"

"No, my answer is I do not know"

Phone woman "Will you be the one filing for divorce in these proceedings?"

"Ok, I am sorry, all of your questions are geared towards divorce. I said I am separated and just want to speak with a lawyer about being separated. That's it, that's what I know. If you have any further questions with the word divorce in them, my answer is 'I don't know'".

So at this point she stopped asking questions and said she would simply mail me the closest law firm which deals with family matters and accepts my benefits. I said that sounds great. I know many people here have dealt w/ lawyers in these MR sitches. This just blew me away by how geared toward D society is. Perhaps I am naive. I do recall reading what MWD said in cptr 1 of DR about lawyers. But wow, how correct she was.