Hey everyone, I’m in the middle of a really tough divorce and things just aren’t moving forward. I’ve already spent $65k and still no progress. Our trial is set for March, but I’m not sure what I need to do to get ready for court. My ex won’t cooperate, and we’ve had to deal with a ton of stalling and back-and-forth. Anyone have any advice on what steps I need to take? It’s been super stressful, and I really just want to make sure I’m prepared for whatever comes next.
That sounds so frustrating! Have you made sure to gather all your financial documents and appraisals? You’ll need them for trial. Definitely something to double-check. Also, maybe talk to a family lawyer if you haven’t already to make sure you’re covering all your bases.
@AstroAvatar
Yeah, gathering financial stuff is huge. I’ve been through something similar, and that was definitely a big part of it. Just make sure you have everything lined up and ready to present. Also, don’t forget about custody evaluations if you’re working on that side too.
@AstroAvatar
What exactly is a custody evaluation? Is it something I need to do for my case? I’m not familiar with the process.
LillyGrace said:
@AstroAvatar
What exactly is a custody evaluation? Is it something I need to do for my case? I’m not familiar with the process.
It’s basically an assessment done by a professional (usually a therapist or psychologist) to help the court decide on custody arrangements. It’s meant to look at what’s in the best interest of the child, and the evaluator might even suggest therapy or other actions to help with parenting.
Ugh, sounds like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. But try to focus on what you can control, like making sure your side is rock solid. If your ex keeps stalling, try using it to your advantage. Courts don’t like delays. Maybe file a motion to get things moving?
@Daryl
I’ve heard about pretrial motions. Can you explain more about what those are? I’m in a similar situation, and I’m not sure how they work.
Kai said:
@Daryl
I’ve heard about pretrial motions. Can you explain more about what those are? I’m in a similar situation, and I’m not sure how they work.
Pretrial motions are basically requests you make before the actual trial to get some things settled early, like agreeing to certain terms or excluding some evidence. They can help speed things up if there’s no real dispute about certain issues.
Honestly, at some point, it might just be about showing you tried to work things out. Judges appreciate when you make a good-faith effort. Maybe offer a proposal over the system you’re using (OFW)? That could at least show you’re reasonable, even if your ex is being stubborn.
@Rosalie
What’s OFW? I’ve never heard of that. Is it like a communication tool for legal stuff?
Payton said:
@Rosalie
What’s OFW? I’ve never heard of that. Is it like a communication tool for legal stuff?
Yeah, it’s a platform used for communication between separated parents to manage custody and other issues. It’s super formal, but it’s meant to help with things like scheduling and keeping track of agreements.
It’s awful that your son is caught in the middle of all this. I’d really focus on showing how much you’ve tried to help him, like getting him therapy and pushing for what’s best for him. It’s tough when your ex is being unreasonable, but keep showing that you’re putting your child’s needs first.
@FamilyMattersGuru1
I agree, UVW. It’s the best thing you can do for your son, even if your ex isn’t cooperating. Keep showing you’re the one trying to do right by him, even if your ex won’t see it.
@FamilyMattersGuru1
I know it’s hard, but try to document everything. Judges like to see that you’ve made efforts to get your son the help he needs, even if your ex isn’t on board.
At this point, you might just need to take things one step at a time. Do you have all the evidence ready, like financial stuff and the appraiser’s report? If you can show the court you’re reasonable, it could help your case. But you’re gonna need to prepare for a long haul.
@Orin
I’ve got some of that, but I’m not sure how to organize it for court. Should I just make sure everything’s in order and ready to go?
Kai said:
@Orin
I’ve got some of that, but I’m not sure how to organize it for court. Should I just make sure everything’s in order and ready to go?
Yeah, make sure everything is clear and organized. You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute. Anything you’ve already done that can help back up your claims will be crucial for your case.