Stbx's lawyer-- sly, or just unprofessional?

[darien]

Stbx has had a lawyer on retainer for more than a year-- since even before we separated. Due to lack of money, I didn't have a lawyer until 2 months ago. My new lawyer immediately sent a letter to stbx' lawyer requesting a meeting to hash out visitation and cs.

Not having experience with how these things go, I waited patiently. A couple of weeks ago, I called my lawyer and politely asked, WTF?

She said that stbx's lawyer had still not responded, at all. She said she would send another letter and call. She advised that if they kept ignoring us, we would have to file requests, instead of just asking for a meeting.

So, it has been 2 weeks, and I'm still waiting to hear from my lawyer, which I assume means that nothing is scheduled yet.

Different details give me (and my lawyer) the impression that stbx's lawyer isn't exactly a stellar attorney. OTOH, while stbx/his lawyer ignore our requests, he's getting away with paying only half of the cs he will be ordered to.

What do you think? Is ignoring me/my lawyer ineptitude or a cagey plan?

[kryztuh]

Probably both cagey and ineptitude. Why is he only paying 1/2 CS? Is that just what he thinks he should pay and since there isn't anything official, it is what it is?

[Roxanne600]

I couldn't say which one, but it must be so frustrating to have to put up with these delays. Sorry mama

[*MamaJen*]

Sounds like your STBX has a pretty good money saving plan. I would probably go ahead and file the official route. Doesn't sound like they're interested in playing nice.

[darien]

Originally Posted by kryztuh

Why is he only paying 1/2 CS? Is that just what he thinks he should pay and since there isn't anything official, it is what it is?

That's it, exactly.

I just got an email from my lawyer saying they didn't respond to her 2nd letter. Looks like I'll have to go to court.

[provocativa]

lawyers are always sly, even if they are unprofessional, too!

[chatsalot]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

Sounds like your STBX has a pretty good money saving plan. I would probably go ahead and file the official route. Doesn't sound like they're interested in playing nice.

agreed. if they haven't cooperated by now it's time to let the courts step in. the will respond to them for sure.

[mtiger]

Or, considering the time of year that it is, he may be on vacation.

[lilyka]

vacation was my first thought as well. Have you talked to your xh? I always tried to arrange things with my xh first. if we could not work something out between us then my lawyer would contact his lawyer. things usually moved pretty fast then. my xh accused me of putting him off and putting him off. i was a single mom with three kids and new school and new job and new life and just could not always find time for a meeting. It didn't mean I was trying to slip something past him though.

if it is ruled that he is underpaying you child support though he can be ordered to pay back child support. My xh was overpaying and there was a chance I could have been ordered to pay it all back. fortunately it was ordered that I could keep it. But he isn't saving much money by doing this though.

[darien]

Originally Posted by mtiger

Or, considering the time of year that it is, he may be on vacation.

Stbx is definitely not on vacation. I doubt that his lawyer has been on vacation for the past 2 months!

[Super~Single~Mama]

I would file ASAP, and then try to work something out. In my state, you are only entitled to child support from the date that you file, not the date that you separate. So, I would file, and then determine if things can be worked out. You can always agree out of court after filing, and then have that agreement ordered by the court (this may be different based on the state).

[lilyka]

its quite possible his lawyer takes a two month vacation. I work at a grocery store and a lot of the people there get two months of vacation in the summer. Its insane.

But I would file. why wait at this point. every time your lawyer contacts his it costs you money. just file already and move forward with it.

[KCMommy]

My ex and his counsel are not responding to requests for financial information either. We have actually been almost two years seperated (1.5 years with lawyers involved) and I still have no child support order (though he pays a lesser amount, voluntarily) or custody order, etc... let alone getting my half of marital assets.

A PP mentioned that it is costing you every time your lawyer tried to contact them. Absolutely! It costs me about $60 every time I get a short email from my lawyer, and considerably more if he actually sends a letter to opposing cousel.

[lilyka]

does your lawyer have to go through his lawyer or is that just a courtesy? It is not your job to make his lawyer represent him. you file and let him go to his lawyer and let him make his lawyer get of his butt. If they want to play games let them play them with a judge. You have been more than considerate.