Filed initial divorce papers, have to send them + summons to ex...

[Pariah]

I filed for divorce, and I received a summons in the mail and I have to send that and a copy of the papers I filed to the ex. I filed for sole physical and legal custody, but I will allow visitation (I don't want to, but I will probably have to). I am afraid of how the ex will react to this. He lives with his parents now who are extremely involved in his life if they're given an inch (this is a huge reason as to why I left the marriage). They're very nasty people to deal with, my ex gives in to anything and everything they say without putting a single thought into it, and I'm afraid of what will happen when they see this. The ex will likely just pass the papers on to them to deal with, so they'll definitely see it. I can't afford a lawyer and have tried since last summer to get a lawyer specifically for low-income people. I know there will be backlash even though the ex's parents have always said what a bad, irresponsible, immature, etc etc person the ex is, all of a sudden I'M the bad person since I left him. My son is visiting the ex this week until Saturday, so I'm waiting to mail the papers until after he gets home. I am afraid the ex's parents would try to keep my son there.

What should I do? Anything? Anyone BTDT and can reassure me?

[JaneS]

How are you?

You can file a motion to have your ex pay for a lawyer.

[blessingscome]

wise to wait for the weekend to be over. From now on, you'll be the enemy in your inlaws eyes and no matter what they thought of your ex before, he's now the injured party and how dare you injure their son.

It's not a easy ride but you'll get through this all. Stand firm and you'll get through things and be better of for it. Divorce is never good but when you're leaving a bad situation like you described, you're better off than you were.

Good luck.