After 5 years of separation (long story). I finally decided that it was time to file for divorce. H was in agreement. <P>Since we have been separated for 5 yrs we don't really have any shared property or finances. No children either. So it was going to be easy (emotions aside). I got the paperwork to do it myself. But after hearing all the horror stories of people having to pay filing fees several times before they got their paperwork right, I decided to have a Paralegal handle it. <P>I gave her all the information and she sent it to the courts with a check to get this started. I paid her in full and I felt relieved. <P>Then after I hadn't heard from her in awhile but the checks had been cashed I started calling her. She always had an excuse. <P>In CA you have to file then the paperwork goes to the spouse for consideration. If the spouse responds they then have to pay a filing fee. My H knew not to respond, he would be considered "missing" and after 30days the formal filing could be done. <P>Well H never received the paperwork. So the formal filing could not happen. <BR>When I called the paralegal today to get her newest excuse, her phone had been disconnected. She's skipped town!
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<P>So now I have to start all over. <BR>Could this be a sign that we should try to reconcile one more time? I'm not really enthusiastic about reconciling at this point, he's had too many EA's and PA's it's taken all the love I have for him away. When we spend time together, we get along, but things happen to remind me of how he can't/won't change to make our marriage work. <BR>Then last year I met someone that I really cared about, but I felt that since I was still married I should not be dating. <P>I just want things to go smoothly and have a clean swift divorce. I guess that's too much to ask. I know that sounds callous but I've really tried these last 5 yrs and nothing has worked.<P>Thank you for letting me vent. I feel better.
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<p>[This message has been edited by AStrongerMe (edited June 21, 2000).]