Its tough for me Pax. I suffer from anxiety and often build up scenarios in my mind. So i have to be careful.
In my own defense ex was being very evasive. Looking and remembering certain facts seems to indicate its just debt. He is now being pretty cooperative, probably to save on legal fees as well. If he was cooperative and nicer in beginning, I would have looked at things with different glasses.
Our current state seems to actually be cooperative which is promising. We have absolutely no conflict regarding custody. We were able to file jointly this year. It seems that I am the one that is agreeing to a bit less money to save court expenditures and this is where I am conflicted.
If I go to court the price of legal fees wont be worth much more then what I would actually receive (although it can be looked at as price ex pays will be more then he would have to give) So its a matter of do I want to drive the harder bargain for not a huge amount and not even a guaranteed amount...but a potential helpful amount considering as main custody provider (80% of time) i have less earning potential and my son does have special needs. As a licensed professional, his lawyer would have a very good chance at calculating my max potential earning equation into the calculations and I would lose money in court. Its all judge dependent I guess and an expensive option. Ex risks the chance that judge will order him to pay part of my legal fees, but also not a guarantee. It also will prolong tension and make for a harder coparenting situation.
I am looking at this very practically and keeping my emotions out of it but its hard because It is unfair. I question myself constantly. Should I have hired the more aggressive lawyer? Would they have bargained better for me? Was my lawyer realistic or not trying too hard or bad at bargaining?
