cbg, it is not a "qualifying event" for COBRA.
A finalized divorce IS a qualifying event. But my wife's terminating me is not.
I have pre-existing conditions so it is unclear whether I will be able to buy insurance at any price.
This is just the most recent of several nasty but, apparently, legal steps that my wife and her lawyer have taken. It is unprovoked and does not appear to have any purpose. Clearly the lawyer is hostile -- not sure about my wife (we have not spoken in several months).
The lawyer that I hired during the separation talks was useless... in retrospect he missed some important opportunities early on in the process. I would like to hire a lawyer for the divorce but I want one who knows how to handle my wife's absurdly hostile lawyer (and is willing to do so).
Is this the right place to ask for referrals? If not, where can I go? The Bar does not help with finding the right lawyer for the job.
After having gone through a New York divorce a numbers of years ago, I can tell you that your wife and her lawyer can be hostile, tell lies and do almost anything they wish and the judge won't do a damn thing about it.
If you step out of line just a little bit, watch out, that is just what the judge is waiting for so they can hammer you for causing "distress" to that "poor" woman.
I will be surprised if you are able to find a lawyer who is willing to represent you fairly. They don't want to get crossways with the judge.
When a man hires a divorce lawyer in New York State, he now has three adversaries. His wife and TWO attorney's!!!
BTW, I had FOUR worthless attorney's during my divorce!!