146 Days and Counting

146 days until the divorce trial. And life is moving on.

He is in jail until at least Sept 27 so we are all feeling very comfortable here.

Money is becoming an issue. I had to pick up his car - another accident in June - and that totalled out to $1400 - not even counting the fact that an additional 30% needs to be added to that since that is what my money costs me. And I've been making his car payments - $1600 in June and then the monthly payment of $500. All at 30% over those amounts. Also, he has not paid our insurance so I'm paying that as well. It was only $220 a month tho I had to pay four months' worth. But starting in September we go to COBRA and I'll be paying $760 per month for the four of us.

My lawyer told me to keep track of all the money I spend and we'll get it back. She thinks, too, we'll be able to get back some of my legal fees. Not all of course but I didnt expect that. He owes me quite a bit not even counting child support or legal fees.

And still no child support since the initial $3000.

But, like I said, life goes on. My oldest headed out to college this week - he starts classes on Monday. I'm very excited for him. My other two started school this week. And I'm back in class - I had to postpone my graduate school entry for a year. So I am retaking a class I took last summer that I found impossible to do well in because he was already goofy. And I plan on two classes in the Spring since the divorce will be over and I can focus on my work rather than court appearances.

Her Move - or not as the case may be

Not now

The SIL opted out of hiring a moving company. She called my lawyer yesterday and told her that she didn't have permission to remove her brother's stuff so she was going to wait until after the divorce.

I think it was the absence of the BIG tv that called that one.

To track or not to track ...

that is the question.

What are my responsibilities (legally - I know what they are ethically) if I know where he is?

What if I know he cannot make (as opposed to will not make) the pre-trial hearing? For I know he is going to be in jail, minimally, through Sept 27th via the county "Search for an Inmate" web page. Which means he is not going to make it.


My lawyer

My lawyer says it doesnt matter legally whether I know where he is or not. And that if I feel more comfortable keeping an eye on his whereabouts then go ahead.

So now I check every morning to see if he is still there - as opposed to being in the hospital wing - and I'm ready to reassure my kids if they ask.

The letter

My lawyer sent a letter to my soon-to-be ex SIL on Friday telling her the the same info as on the previous post re: getting her folks' stuff. She has until Friday to hire someone.

Ho hum...

I thought I'd have something interesting to post about He Who Must Not Be Named's trial (scheduled for 8/9) but its not been updated.

I went to court on Tuesday. Again, I thought I'd have something interesting but - ho hum, *yawn* - nothing because nothing happened. A lawyer from his lawyer's office showed up but because they cannot locate him and cannot serve him notice that he is no longer being represented by them they could not withdraw. This put us in the position that if we went ahead with our plans for Guardian Ad Litem, they would move to ask for more time. So the next court date is Sep 7. I will not be going to that one as I have class.


My soon-to-be FORMER SIL

One interesting thing was his sister contacted my lawyer to ask for her parents' personal effects including "possibly a TV". My oldest thinks they are looking for that BIG tv he bought. Why else bother with clothes that havent been worn in over three years, and cookware that could be replaced for 30 bucks? So I told the lawyer that there is no tv as there isnt any. Their stuff is mixed in with his and I'm not willing to separate it. But I am willing to let them hire a professional mover, leave his name and phone number with my lawyer so I can confirm, leave the stuff available for pickup on Sep 8 from 9 until 3, and they are not to step foot on my property. ("My property"! How sweet!) Else they can wait until his stuff is shipped out when the divorce is final in January.

If its shipped out...