Various

Here's the newest:

1. My lawyer and his are going to meet on 3/4 to try and try to reduce the number of issues.

2. He responded officially (again) to the divorce on 2/5 with a pretty ludicrous set of demands: I was to pay him maintenance, I am to pay half of his bills incurred after the split-up, he is not to pay any child support, I am to pay his lawyer and court costs, and he is to have parental responsibilities and visitation.

3. He did meet with the psychologist but we have heard nothing. My lawyer sent him a letter asking for information on that meeting.

4. He asked his lawyer to ask mine if I wanted to file joint taxes with him. What a joke! I told her even if it would save me money I wouldnt - but actually it would only save him money since I get the kids and house deductions. And he has not filed his 2006 yet.

5. His lawyer says he is "pretty stable" and "doing well."

6. It is very important to him that the cause not be listed as mental cruelty.

My observations:

1. It occurred to me his lawyer really needs to get this done because there is a good chance he will not be "pretty stable" and "doing well" for long which means he can get fired and kiss any chance of payment "good-bye". Thus the rush to fix it up. (Assuming he is pretty stable and doing well.)

My predictions:

1. The March 4th meeting will be an exercise in futility for my lawyer and his as I cannot see him agreeing to anything. Remember, he filed that response three weeks after the judge already set out suggested solutions (eg. setting up a children's fund that I can draw at double the rate for the first three years.) This is the same judge who will decide the case if it goes to trial.

2. If he does agree its because he is desperate for cash or has been told by his lawyer to agree or be dropped. According to his lawyer he could not find a lawyer willing to represent him until he came back to this guy - who actually said he took him because his own brother is mentally ill in the same way. And, if he does agree, there is a huge chance he will rescind at the last minute because its never going to be what he wants.

3. He is going to force it to go to the trial date - again, unless he is desperate for cash or has a threat to be dropped by his lawyer for being unable to work with him.

He has to tread a fine line. First, he is not truly interested in the kids but wants to be a force somewhere in life. And against me of course. On the other hand, he is saying he is too mentally ill to ever work again. So he cant look too good now, can he?


to go!