Post-Divorce, Pro-Se and Communication with Ex-Wife's Attorney

[hemlock1976]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NH

Hi.

My divorce was finalized at the beginning of March 2013. As the father, I received sole decision making authority and primary residential responsibilities of my two little girls. The case was very extreme, stretching nearly two years with Guardian ad Litem involvement and psychological evaluations involved. Needless to say, once the divorce was finalized I was forced to have my attorney withdraw for financial reasons. My ex-wife still maintains her attorney. Just days before my attorney filed the withdrawal, ex-wife's attorney filed a motion with the court. I filed my pro-se appearance along with objection & response to motion. The court quickly sent a notice that ex-wife's motion was denied. My question is, now that divorce has been finalized, what legal obligations, if any, do I have to respond to or correspond with ex-wife's attorney even though divorce case is settled and closed? Though I have sole decision making authority and primary residential responsibility, I must inform ex-wife of doctor appointments, etc. I am continually sent emails from my ex-wife but have also begun receiving them from her attorney since court's denied last motion. Even though I filed pro-se appearance but divorce is over, do I have to respond to her attorney? Is it reasonable to limit communication to ex-wife only as it pertains to parenting issues?

Thanks!

 

[Zigner]

"It depends" is the only possible answer to your question, as we do not know what "communications" the attorney has sent to you.

 

[hemlock1976]

"It depends" is the only possible answer to your question, as we do not know what "communications" the attorney has sent to you.

Hi Zigner,

Sorry about that. The Parenting Plan ordered by courts includes a section that states we'll utilize a neutral third-party to resolve parenting issues. That was the purpose of ex-wife's last motion that was denied. She wanted courts to order mediation just to discuss what she describes as parenting issues and issues with interpretation of what certain sections of the Parenting Plan means. Courts denied motion because Parenting Plan did not include mediation. Now the ex-wife's attorney is emailing me asking what forms of third-party involvement or intervention I would like to agree to. The issues aren't something that I feel would or should be worked out with a neutral third-party nor do they really constitute 'parenting issues'. I don't expect anything to be worked out or a reasonable compromise reached. This is very similar behavior that was experienced throughout the litigation.

Thanks again.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

They may be looking at a parenting coordinator. Another option may be something like Family Wizard that documents all communications between the parents with reports that can be used in court.

 

[ecmst12]

Keep in mind that every time you correspond with her attorney....she gets billed for it. Perhaps if you communicate with the attorney enough, it will deter her from going this route so often.

If you have sole legal custody, you are not required to allow her to attend doctor visits etc. It would be in the spirit of good co-parenting if you advised her of any information of note AFTER such appointments. You should also provide her with contact information for doctor and school so she can obtain information for herself (she is still allowed to do this).