LegalBeagle/results of mediation yesterday

I thought you might be interested in the outcome of our friend's mediation yesterday. I thought it was later in the week, but here goes:

The ex shows up basically dressed in rags, I guess to look like she can't afford support.

She cussed Bill out to the point that the mediator had to have her removed to regain her composure. Evidently she got angry because she couldn't come up with any good reasons why she hardly sees or shares the responsibility. She couldn't come up with any good reasons why things should stay as they are with them having shared custody with Bill having primary physical.

The mediator offered a three month trial where all she would have to do is take the children every other weekend for 3 months (she may miss one time) and the modification of custody would be squashed. Bill agreed, she refused. Said she would see her children when she wanted to and no one was going to tell her how to be a mother.

She said the most he will get out of her is $25 a week (for 2 children). The mediator said more like $280 per month since she is capable of working. She says her and new hubby "can't afford this" because he pays $700 per month for his children (who he rarely sees.)

Bill called the judge's office to set up a trial date and the secretary's response was, "Did she show up?" She has a bad track record with that judge for not showing up to hearings pertaining to her children...that is how my husband ended up with sole legal/physical custody of their son.

I don't understand how she sleeps at night when she treats her children so badly. Good to know she will at least be financially responsible if she refuses to be there emotionally for these kids. If you want, I will let you know how the final hearing goes in a couple weeks.

[LegalBeagle]

Well, court is the only option with this woman.. and if she does not show up then even better cos bill wins by default. I agree with the modiator that unless there are exceptional circumstances, the court can imput a salary for her in the Child Support Calculations and the least she should be paying for 2 kids is $250+. At worse min wage, but generally few people who want to work earns less that $8/hr.

The only way to stop this would be if she filed to deviate for the CS guidelines, but so far there is no evidence that she would be able to.. The boyfriends payments do not come into it at all..