[quote]Okay-
So,last week I find out my ex has hired a lawyer for our hearing in 2 weeks. He owes me around $18,000, he is currently unemployed, yet he can afford to pay a lawyer. ARGH.......I know I will probably never see any of the money. I know he is running scared because he is facing jail time. Well, who's fault is that??? It is not my fault he is financially irresponsible. How can someone who earned over $135,000 last year have NO MONEY??? Plus, his wife works. [/quote]

I had my first court date yesterday. The stbx and I agreed that neither of us were going to get attorneys as neither of us could afford it. Well, I walk into the courthouse and here comes her attorney introducing himself. Last week she was trying to squeeze money out of me because she told me she couldn't afford to buy groceries or clothes for the kids, then she shows up with a lawyer that required a $5,000 retainer! She couldn't even feed the kids! (and yes I have been paying her child support since our separation, without any court order. She just spends it all on trips to wineries and concerts and limos and fancy dinners and $1,000 shopping sprees, then tells the kids it's somehow my fault when they can't have something they want)