My family is pressuring me to speak with my ex-wife in person while she is with the children, as she is off work during those times. I have been delaying this for a while. My plan is to first contact the loan company to establish a payment plan, then notify my ex of the arrangement. I also intend to ask the company for a temporary pause in collection efforts, given that the vehicle she owns has been repossessed and I am the cosigner. My family wants me to reach out this week, but I have been avoiding any confrontation. Our last interaction was a five-minute phone call in September. My primary concern is that if she becomes upset, the children will have to deal with the fallout while in her care.

Since our marriage ended, her behavior has done a complete 180; I am constantly anxious about my children's well-being when I am not around. Her mood is often labile. I only co-signed for this loan because she and her family pressured me; she frequently threatened to divorce me and take the children away if I didn't sign—a common pattern during the latter half of our marriage.

Regarding my schedule, I recently learned that I may have to work weekends until May of next year. This means I will only have two full days with my oldest child this summer, and limited time in the Fall and Spring. I intend to seek 60/40 custody, provided my family can help with childcare on weekends. If not, I may need to request weekday custody (Monday through Friday) when we go to court.