MLC or WAS... either way, I'm here - Part II

[LAJar]

job,

I do think he will try to rush it (at least now), just to spite me. He thinks I'm dragging my heels. Telling people I was hiding out from being served. Seemed like he was able to find me now, why not a few months ago? Plain and simple, effort. As you said, he will not do the hard work on his end. In our marriage, he never did and if I have stepped in, I'm controlling. Well, I will definitely be relinquishing my "control" this time. Thanks for the support!

Own,
I know why my L suggested putting that out there up front. She said it would show them we're not playing games. I get it because I'm not entitled to the gift and I agreed initially, but then I saw his lazy filing and how he's taken things from the house that belonged to both of us and now considers only his. He will be all about the games, but he will call it - what's mine is mine and what's yours is yours. He doesn't seem to understand the concept of community property. He thinks anything I receive is out of the kindness of his heart.

You make a good point about the gift being the first thing that's paid off. I thought that's what my L said, but I need to clarify that as well. I'm fairly certain our house has increased in value because we did some improvements, but I just don't know how much. It was a concern that all would be paid out and my investment into our renovations would be last on the list. Seems as though that's negotiable.

I will be speaking with my L tomorrow and hope to she's in agreement and it's not something I have to convince her. Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.