I am married 23 years, being divorced. Final hearing scheduled 1 month from now. My attorney is a family friend...81 years old with severe multiple sclerosis. Her attorney is among the top 3 in my town. This was initially going to be simple, but greed has entered the picture. We have three homes...and she is asking for all property and money. I have paid far and above what child support asked for....even though both of my teenage sons have been removed from her home and placed into state protective custody.
WHAT DO I DO..........I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO A KNIFE FIGHT WITH A BANANNA IN MY HAND!
2006-09-18 07:04:10 · 5 answers · asked by willybobjohnson 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
You should maybe try to go with another attorney in your family friend's firm. If that's not possible, you should try to get a continuance and hire another attorney. It sounds as though you don't have much faith in your current attorney.
2006-09-18 07:06:47 · answer #1 · answered by mamafence 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to bring another attorney in on this. I work as a paralegal in a law office and it often happens that cases expand out of our area of expertise. We never get offended or upset if the client says that he needs an attorney that specializes in litigation or family law or whatever. Often, the two attorneys will just work together. I think that because your wife is so obviously at fault here because of the kids getting placed into state custody, the judge will not be easily swayed by her more experienced attorney, but that's not a risk I would take if I were you. So, I would look into getting either the top 1 or top 2 attorney in family law in your town for the final hearing. You stand so much to lose. On the other hand, sometimes these super old, infirm attorneys have long and deep ties to the judicial system. Only you can judge if your attorney is still competent mentally despite the physical problems. Best wishes to you.
2006-09-18 14:23:23 · answer #2 · answered by JennyF 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The laws the law. Ask for a new child support calculation or that the children be released to you and then she will pay you. Depending on your state her max take is going to be 50% of marital assets and debt. If she can buy you out of your equity in three homes, so be it. Take the cash.
2006-09-18 14:08:01 · answer #3 · answered by Carp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said top 3 so go get one of the other 2. She cant have all the property it will probably get divided. Tell your family friend, no offense but shes fighting ugly and I need to get equal counsel and then tell him you will let him vacation at one of the homes she wont get.Greedy people suck!!!
2006-09-18 14:11:23 · answer #4 · answered by arreis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might ask the family friend if he/she has an associate who might attend the hearing with you instead. Of course, it's a sensitive issue but you might phrase it that you realize now this may get ugly and you want to spare this person from a courtroom drama. Or something to that effect.
2006-09-18 14:08:04 · answer #5 · answered by Nefertiti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋