Anyone have any experience? Wife and I are going to file ourselves. Actually I will be doing the work. I am looking for tips and advice. I probably ought to get on a Divorce Forum but thought that I would start here. I know that reaching an agreement with my wife will be no problem but I am worried about the judge. I wonder if he is going to make me show him all kinds of financial records and such. There will be reasons for the way that we split assets & liabilities that he does not need to be involved in. I know that I will have to show a pay stub for the child support calculation and that is fine.

Get your self a lawyer. They know what to do and what not to do. Cheaper in the long run especially with kids involved

sorry to hear that ya'll are splitting.

there are several attorny's that specialize in amicable splits, they basically take care of the legal paper work and thats it.


I would contact one of them

I thought about it. We have legal assitance through work for free simple wills and discounts on other services. I do not really have the time to deal with the lawyer right now though. A lawyer means day time appointments and scheduling time off work. She filed several years ago and we had all the details worked out but just did not finalize it so I have some experience. Kid is not aproblem at all because she is already living with her mom and she is almost 17. Child support would be for about 14 months. Of course I am already paying right now just do not have it formalized.

Something always goes wrong. Go ahead and get a divorce attorney now before it's too late. I am a lawyer but I don't do family law.

As all said above get an attorny. But its not like your making it sound. You can get one that does colaborate law and is basically a mediator. She will just draw up what you both already have worked out. The one I used is Susan Wright, and she's in Rockwall which is where it says your from. Also I know for a fact she will work around your schedule and meet at night/evenings. I'm self employed and she delt with all that. I didn't have to produce any kinds of financial records for judge or anybody. Shes on 603 North Goliad Street if your interested. Her number is 972-772-0285 Def the best way to go by far.

I know of Susan. I know a very good family law lawyer who lives in Colleyville. She recommended Susan last time around. Since I just need someone to file the stuff I will probably go as low cost as possible. That will mean using a resource I have at work. Last time they referred me to some dude in Royse City. The others they had were in Dallas. It might be a little more inconvenient but the price will be right. I am in no hurry. The wife sort of is becuase she wants to file for all of the gov't aid and freebies which she will get without my income holding her back.

Same as what others said- get a lawyer. The benefits far-outweigh the costs. As agreeable as you two may think you are, it can change in a heartbeat. All she has to do talk to her network and the advice will start pouring in (and that ain't good for you).

Also, doing research on the Internet will yield very little toward your case. Every divorce has some tweak of a difference in the factors. You can't necessarily apply the Internet scenarios to your's. State, county, and judge can also make a difference in a case.

Lawyer up. Good luck to you.

As long as you two agree on everything, I wouldn't waste money or time on a lawyer.

I tried 3 times alone. Pay an attorney to just walk it through!

I did it myself but there were no kids involved, very easy and cheap. I also know a lady that did it herself with a child involved. The judge granted it but he scolded her for doing it herself with a minor child.

It probably won't hurt to hire a attorney, women get evil when it comes time to divide things! Trust me!

I understand that but everything is pretty much divided now. I will buy her out of the house and make a 401k distribution to her and that is about it. I do have some common credit cards to clean up but I will take care of those prior to filing and anything she has charged will come out of her settlement. I have set up an online account and started to fill out the forms. Minor child is almost 17 and there is no custody issues. Judges like to scold you for getting divorced period with a child.

I called the county clerk just to see if they had a preference as to who I used. What a B. When I asked her she started barking at me. I had to ask her a second time to clarify. Answer was they do not care.

I am sure that with the economy the self filings are way up.

this is correct

Your situation might be different than mine, but I have a hard time trusting a woman fixing to loose things or money!

I am a recovering attorney.

Given that you have kids....GET AN ATTORNEY NOW. Please.

Why? She forked over $5K+ a few years back and there is nothing that is a point of contention. She will have custody and I will get whatever visitation rights she wants me to have. The kid is a year away from being 18 and it is kid not kids. When my wife hired the attorney we got almost to the end and she withdrew it. Should have gone through with it but figured we would give it another go.

I used Jack K Robinson there in Rockwall and he let me know do all the leg work and used our previously agreed upon terms. He basically was there to "have my back" and do the legal filing, etc. He charged me $1500 for the entire process (2 small kids involved, but no fight at all from either party).


Oh, and he even let me arrange "after-hour" and weekend meetings for the times where I could not get away during the day.

I appreciate all the advice. Divorce lawyers can be the scum of the scum. They take advantage of people when they are down and suck all of their money out of their wallets. It is no wonder that divorce is the number reason 1 for bankruptcy filings.

Did mine myself, cost 256.00 total. If you agree on everything and are on good terms this is the way to go. Lawyers can make things worse sometimes. Go to courthouse and ask for the do it yourself divorce kit. Copy it fill it out and pay filing fee. Wait 60 days have judge sign and your done.

I have to agree. They just out to make money. Why pay an attorney for something you can handle. When do your daughter turn 18? If you can wait until she turn 18, then you can take the child issue out of the equation. It seems like some people hire an attorney for everything i.e. traffic tickets, accidents, bankruptcy, social security, etc.

barndoor

I did it myself. Cost about 157 dollars I believe. Easy, just buy one of those kits and do as they say.