3 Month Mark - First salvo fired.
So, at the beginning of the year, my wife told me she was seeking a separation/divorce. (You can read my previous post on the matter if you like.) Despite making some significant changes to myself for the better, (Some therapy to sort out myself, a lot of soul searching, and committing to some improvements) my STBX has not moved an inch from her original position. I guess I'm not that surprised about that, even though i would have preferred to reconcile, at least up to this point.
What I was surprised by was handed to me at the beginning of the month. She talked to a lawyer last week, and over the weekend invited me to sign papers later this week. When I asked for an outline, the numbers that she mentioned were coming entirely out of left field. Essentially, she was asking for 1/2 of the current total assets, which might have been reasonable had we started from the same place. However, I had owned the house a good 5 years before we got married, and had a good amount of equity already there. I also had a far larger 401k at the time of marriage, and at least from the outline, both are assets which she is assuming he has an equal claim to. On the bright side, we at least appear to be on the same page custody wise for our young child, both looking for 50/50 joint custody, with a schedule TPD. I think the expectation is that i don't agree to that, they will file in the very near future.
So, that's where things stand today. Before anyone gets too worked up, no, i am not going to go and sign ANYTHING without retaining, and talking to a lawyer myself. First order of business is to get serious about getting myself a lawyer, (Already made the calls, am waiting on a couple to see when they can get me in.) Second order of business is getting the documentation I need.
Thanks for listening to my rant. If anything, I guess I'm looking for suggestions on what paperwork i should be going about acquiring, and what further things i should be on the lookout for in the next few months.