And I think I will be hiring him when I have the money to do so. Very nice, even had me laughing at one point, which is incredible given the circumstances and my personality. His retainer is only 2/3 of my net monthly pay instead of all of it. Have frozen one of my credit cards and will be directing money that becomes available as medical bills are paid off into a legal account. Think I'll open a savings account at a different bank than the one we use and put the money into that so I can draw some interest.
This lawyer also said that an annulment is unlikely to be granted because neither of us was legally incompetent at the time. Seems that just having a psych illness isn't enough, and Mr. L. didn't even qualify for a diagnosis of mental retardation. Agreed with most of what the first lawyer said. Advised me to move out rather than trying to oust Mr. L., and told me not to sign another lease on which Mr. L. is included. Said to call him (after calling the police) if Mr. L. physically assaults me again and we would go before a judge for a temporary protective order (these typically last 1 year). Cost of that would be included in cost of divorce.
Mr. L. and I went to see his sometime therapist last Friday, at my insistence. I was asked to come in for about the last 15 min so she could get my perspective directly from me. Told her that I expect Mr. L. to see her at least once a month, cooperate with the doctor at the mental health agency (has yet to do that; cancelled appt. again and it's rescheduled for end of July), and has to move the TV to the extra bedroom. Told her this is the last chance for him and me to develop a relationship, and that if it didn't work, I would end the marriage. Not optimistic that this is going to work, but at least the time it will take me to get the legal money together will give it a chance. I will have given him every chance then.
