1st time posting

[STH17]

My understanding is the only way you don't have to go to court is if you two reach a settlement agreement on your own. I'm currently waiting for my wife to file for divorce. When she does, I plan on treating that only as a rough draft and a start of negotiations, not something I'm going to sign as delivered to me. And I'll meet with a lawyer at least a couple times, at the beginning and end of negotiations. My W mentioned wanting to do mediation a while ago, but hasn't brought it up since.

I was told negotiations can happen outside of court and after filing, that I wouldn't have to sign anything until I agreed to the terms of the settlement agreement.

I don't know what exactly your W wants you to get notarized, but it raised alarms with me that sounded like you might be getting fleeced if it included a settlement agreement. The more I write, the more I realize why people say "talk to a lawyer!" because we are all totally unqualified to give each other legal advice, and this stuff can have lasting consequences.