get a lawyer. trust me. i spent over 5 grand to make sure i DID NOT get screwed. and it was worth it.

Yes, I am sure mummy dearest is coaching him. You can listen to what he has to say, ask to think it over, then quietly call a lawyer to see what you are entitled to. Kids come first.

Get a lawyer
Up here in Canada you can get free half hour consults for info and to see if you like the lawyer.....not sure if its that way where you live
Try calling a few and find out

Talk to a lawyer. You need to know your rights. Don't get nasty, even if it is mighty tempting. It could hurt the outcome.

TRUST ME do NOT TALK about any details of your plans until you have a lawyer present or you are in mediation with your lawyer. Just say to him ...I will talk about when and where you want to see the kids but any other details call my lawyers. It will save OCEANS of arguemnts if you just shut him down. Plus it will frustrate him because he wants to organize his ducks in a row and he can't if he has to wait. I wish someone had given me this advice sooner!

GET A LAWYER!!! Trust me on this. If its over; you have no idea what his(or anyone else's) agenda is. People can completely turn around; not always for the good, in a divorce. Cover yourself in any way possible!!

If you have not already done so - get your financial records in order. You need to know ALL of the assets/debts you have accumulated during the marriage (regardless of who they seem to belong to - including any retirement plans vested in, whole life insurance policies,etc.)

I'm sure his mom will advise him on things regarding the divorce. I would not confide anything to her. Blood IS thicker than water.

If you both are able to settle things amicably - that will be best for everyone and will save you much heartache and $$$.

Every state has divorce law handbooks available to advise you of your rights. I purchased a Florida one at Barnes and Noble for under $10. My recent divorce was completely amicable (1 child involved) and cost about $400. EX knew I was fully aware of divorce law and didn't bother to fight for things he knew he would never get.

Most attorneys will give a free consult - but be very careful who you retain. Many of them look for ways to prolong the process in order to bill as many hours as possible.

GOOD LUCK!

It is hard to say. It depends on what kind of person he is. Not to mention it depends on what kind of advice his mother is giving him. It doesn't hurt to hear him out and see what he wants or has to offer. The only response I would give is I'll have to think about it. If it carries a you are getting screwed tone, end it and get a lawyer.

GET AN ATTORNEY
I was told by my attorney not to speak to him about any of it. go attorney to attorney. thats my advice. i had filed in june for seperation In july , he wanted to rec. he then decided around september he did want a div. he told me he had to try to rec cause he saw all money gong to the lawyers and had to stop it. it wasnt sincere reconcilition. my point is, he could be trying to snow you. be CAREFUL

YES... GET A LAWYER!! And what "believer 7" said is a big deal- definitely get all of your and his financial records, personal and business contacts, any bit of information that could potentially be helpful in a worst case scenario. The hope is that you will never end up needing most of it and that you can come to some sort of agreement through mediation. Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst, and (without actually involving your son, of course), bring it back to your son's needs as much and as often as possible. If he is a loving father, he will be concerned for the welfare of his son, and will want to take care of him. Focus on getting a bigger child support award than maintainance, because maintainance is taxable to you and a write off to him, where as child support is neither of those.
Good luck to you...

Lawyer up! You don't have to tell him you have...listen to what he says..smile and nod..say things like "I'll have to think about that" or "i haven't decided"..then run to your lawyer!

Why is it that criminals know they shouldn't say a word and that they need to "Lawyer up", while honest people try to "talk it out" and end up getting screwed.

Lawyer up honey..the sooner the better!

Yes I agree. Get a lawyer and make sure you open your own checking account and transfer your funds in there so that monies cannot be taken out of any joint accounts. Especially if mother has gone through this, she is going to be advising him what to do. Also get all the account information including his income information for your attorney. Always keep the origionals and give the copies. Also you might want to discuss with your attorney and if your child goes to school about custody. If you are granted custody make sure daycare or public schools are notified of this for signing out purposes. But please check with your attorney first and good luck.