Oh What a Tangled Web

Finally got a hold of my lawyer (see Circles of Hell) and also spent more time reviewing this convoluted proposal. Probably only 3/4 through, getting late Saturday, so I guess we'll be cramming it in on trial day.

SO FAR...

• My lawyer finally admits the truth, this agreement is so far slanted her way that it really isn't a shared parenting agreement at all, it's sole custody with a little thin veneer to disguise it (and offer a tiny crack for me).
• But he's quick to point out, that if I work the system, the way my wife has, comply with all the intrusions to show I'm not hiding anything then the agreement will shift much more in a shared direction.
• He says nobody cares if the supervisor is a hard core junkie, when they say jump, you jump, you comply, then you'll be considered a good guy.
• Ya don't have to be a good parent, she's not, just a good litigant. That's what makes the world go around.
• He even said to me, "you know you are right, you have very well thought out arguments, and when this is over, I'd love to sit down and have a drink and discuss them. But right now they don't mean a damn, they won't get you across this problem".
  
• The agreement contains safeguards for it never being truly shared by stipulating which laws will be applied, including as they are now written, so that if the law is re-written to be more fair, it will never benefit me.
• It is very blatant and stands out like a sore thumb, it actually says the father will be held to law nnnn.nn (X)(x)(n-n) and the mother will be held to a different law.
  
• The laws were written to apply to all parties one would think from a very careful reading.
  
• The laws constantly refer to other sections, Revised Code, Administrative Code, Federal Code, it's more tangled then well stirred bowl of spaghetti (part of the Lawyers Full Employment Act).
• And of course there are so many listed exceptions or "unless ordered by the court".
  

So what have we learned...

• The (tangled web of) law is full of deceptions and dirty tricks.
  
• Remember the cliche "Ignorance of the Law is no excuse" or suffer the consequences.
• It's a sleazy cheaters game, it's not fair, it's not justice and if you think it is you are dreaming or a fool or both.
• Get a rule book, learn to play.
• Try not to go crazy with your new dual personality - real world and virtual legal cesspool world.
• Follow my brother's advice - "Don't let the bastards get you down".
• Follow my advice - "Don't give up your principles without a fight or a protest".
  

Reminder: See recently updated Legal Notice here
Status: Rough Draft Sun 1am, will be updated next week.