I think what icey & amber, etc. don't understand is that there are very few unique situations, at their core. When the crux of the post is, for example, "Do I have to follow the court order?", the answer is pretty much a "well, yeah!" We ask questions to find out whether there are reasons why the answer may be different. I
Additionally, it gets pretty old answering the same question over and over, when the answer is so easily found using the search feature. People who are willing to spend even a little time looking for the answer to the question they have will find that they get more help if they've at least made an effort. That whole "give a man a fish" parable, ya know?
The joking comes into play, usually, when a thread has run it's course, or when a poster is being deliberately obtuse. Then yes, seniors have enough and bring some fun.
At the end of the day, we do kind of expect that people seeking free help (a) make a modicum of effort to help themselves, (b) provide adequate information for us to provide a reasonably accurate answer, (c) not look a gift horse in the mouth by being rude to those trying to help and (d) understand that most everyone here really is only interested in what is best for THE CHILD(REN). So if you're just looking for a way to "get" the ex? May as well hang it up immediately. 'Cause we won't help you do it, and you will know that w/o a doubt.
As an aside, I know amber took offense to my post on her second thread about starting a new thread. I don't consider that rude - I consider it direct. Really, it was common sense to not do what you did, amber. And yes - I would say the same thing, in the same way, if you were standing in front of me.