Yes, the filing thing can hurt. I retained a lawyer and let her handle everything. I was never served; all the official stuff went to my lawyer and she responded on my behalf. That helped a lot.
One day, when my WW was dropping the boys off at my house she asked me if I knew that mediation was scheduled in two weeks. I told her that I knew about it. Then, she asked me if I was was going to be there. I told her, "Only if I have to be there, otherwise I'll let my lawyer handle it." For some reason those "lawyer" responses would always drive my WW nuts.
