My husband and I are almost divorced, we are just waiting for the Final Judgement hearing. He has a lawyer and I cannot afford one, so I have been doing this all myself. His lawyer said she would set up the final hearing date, but now I have a letter from her office that says: Please sign this and get it notarized: "Having fully answered the respondents petition herein, the petitioner waives any further appearance in this cause, waives all future notices in the cause, has no evidence to present at the final hearing and consents to the cause proceeding ex-parte to final judgement of dissolution of marriage without her subject to the provisions of this amended answer and waiver and the marital settlement agreement entered in by both parties." WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Should I sign this thing, or can I get the final judgement date on my own? Someone please help me with this. My husband has been trying to trick me out of things all during this divorce, and I have no one to ask about this. Thanks
Stacy, there are places in Florida where you can go and have a paralegal explain documents to you that cost very little money. Likewise, in most counties in Florida, you can have a 1/2 hour consultation with a lawyer through the Bar Association for $50.00. I would NOT sign it until I had a lawyer or paralegal explain it to you. Look under your local County Bar Association either online or in the phone book. Consider it money well spent.
"Having fully answered the respondents petition herein, the petitioner waives any further appearance in this cause,(saying that you will not file any future appearances for anything in this case ever again) waives all future notices in the cause, (you will never file another notice in this case again) has no evidence to present at the final hearing and consents to the cause proceeding ex-parte to final judgement of dissolution of marriage without her subject to the provisions of this amended answer and waiver and the marital settlement agreement entered in by both parties." (you received an amended marital settlement agreement? and that you have no more evidence to present if you went to this hearing and that you are agreeing to the amended settlement agreement.)
Furthermore, i would not sign this. The fina, hearing is for the judge to basically say do you agree to this settlement and the dissolution? It is usually about 15 minutes. If you think that he is being sneaky already do not sign it. Find a paralegal or someone that has legal knowledge to look it over for you. Hope this gives you a little help. I am going thru the same exact situation and I feel for you. Sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. I also am representing myself and I am at the finality of my divorce. Kymm
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