So ive been on and off of here since i left my wife for infidelity about 2 weeks ago. I didnt understand jurisdiction and all that business. I informed i was going to retain a lawyer on Tuesday last week (big mistake i know) and she promptly removed 20k from joint account leaving me with maybe 3k. I moved to Indiana and the filing was in MA. I did not realize i could not hire a lawyer here in Indiana because they often do not practice in MA as well. I hunted for one out there yet they are all over 5k, ive been stalling to get the money together and finally she called me the other day and told me that if contest she will make sure I am buried in the martial debt so much so that i will get far less in the divorce compared to if i were to go uncontested. I feel trapped and i know her goal is to make sure she has absolute control over the situation and so far she does. Just like she has always had over my life.

Edit: i could cry, i finally have something in my court. The road begins now. I got a lawyer to agree to a lower retainer under the guise i will pay more after he motions to have money returned to the account.