A Year Later II

I maintain that it should cost as much to get married as it does to get divorced. Make it look like marriage is worth as much as divorce, even if it ain’t. That would also make the preachers financially independent like it has the lawyers.    Will Rogers

The blog entry (July 2nd) citing Frank's deposition testimony has been viewed than any entry in Stratheden's 605 postings. I assume that is because it answers people's questions about how & why of the divorce settlement, as it was intended.

 One year ago today, at 12:50 p.m., my lawyer, Mr. Campbell, and I, walked into the Floyd County court room for the divorce trial. We instantly knew something was up because April and the witnesses were not present. About five minutes before court was due to convene, April walked in with Anne Armistead, but they sat back in the gallery. Then April & Frank's lawyer, Dalton, (Frank had used the same lawyer to complete his divorce/custody several years earlier) came over to our table and dropped a "notice of appeal" on it to challenge a ruling the judge had made that April could not hide behind the Fifth Amendment when it came to answering a question about adultery. In other words, Dalton would tie up the divorce proceedings for at least another year, perhaps as many as three more years, all the while I would be paying $1,000 per month in support to them as they laughed all the way to the bank.

A minute or so later, Dalton came back over and spoke to Mr. Campbell; they adjourned to the hallway. Mr. Campbell shot back in and said "they want to know if you would offer a settlement." So, instead of possibly paying another $36,000 in support AND legal fees, I offered $30,000. Of course they accepted it. Had the trial gone forward, April would have had to answer to the judge why she told him two major lies in a prior hearing: (1) no one lived with her [my private investigator had proof otherwise, as did witnesses] and (2) she was destitute [actually she had two bank accounts, each with four figures deposited]. There were six other 'discrepancies' as well but not as key to the issues as those two.

Due to a lack of trust on our part, Mr. Campbell immediately hand wrote the settlement on a sheet of legal paper which was signed by both parties and witnessed by the sheriff, baliff and others present. The 21 month ordeal was ended, finally.

Last month, a little more than three years after Frank moved in with April, he asked her to marry him; they are now officially engaged although no date has been announced for a wedding. He is a far better match for her than myself and I wish them many years together.