Update

dday_throwaway3 · 2026-01-30T22:54:23+00:00

Good job with the temp orders.

AI is fine to give you a general idea of what to expect, so you aren't constantly accruing billable hours with your attorney for basic questions. But it in no way replaces your attorney.

Length of spousal support depends on the state you live in. In California, a long-term marriage (>10 years) means you pay for an unspecified amount of time. In Massachusetts, a 20 year marriage means you're paying spousal support for life. In some states, spousal support is rehabilitative and only lasts 3 years. Your attorney can tell you what to expect for your situation.

FUMoney · 2026-01-29T04:11:31+00:00

She didn’t do that well at trial

Hearing. Not trial.

She tells me she would allow me to have visitation rights to see my children.

"Allow." You have rights that are not within her purview to deny. This offer means absolutely nothing.

and that I owe her spousal support for the 20 years we were together

You better be prepared for the fight of your life. It is not at all clear to anyone here she is entitled to this. Your spousal support battle is going to be a big one. Do not fold.

Present-Armadillo-60 · 2026-01-28T15:04:46+00:00

Congrats!

digcycle · 2026-01-28T13:33:54+00:00

Great job and outcome! I love how they think they are the arbiter of who is allowed visitation rights. We are dad, and that is good enough.

According-Designer15 · 2026-01-28T05:22:50+00:00

congratulations. You walked into that courtroom prepared, you stayed steady under pressure, and you got equal parenting and equal decision making while she got nothing she was threatening you with. That's a massive win, and you earned it by doing the work instead of letting fear paralyze you.

New-Distribution-979 · 2026-01-28T05:14:57+00:00

How to find the right lawyer is where I am at. Can I ask what were your criteria?

Anothercluelesshuman · 2026-01-28T04:38:22+00:00

Chat gpt is not privileged and can be subpoenaed

upvotersfortruth · 2026-01-28T03:16:48+00:00

She tells me she would allow me to have visitation rights to see my children. That she won’t move, and that I owe her spousal support for the 20 years we were together.

I thought you said she was at the hearing - did she understand the ruling? Read the room honey, this ain’t even in the same zip code of what the judge is looking to do.

Time to play her a little “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter

upvotersfortruth · 2026-01-28T03:12:46+00:00

This is cool to hear - what information did you feed it and what were your prompts like?

Jamescovey · 2026-01-28T02:38:11+00:00

I used Chat GPt to rehearse today as well. My kids were abducted. I fought for a year to get them back. The first three days back were surprisingly good and I didn’t want to sound game in court.

AlternativeMessage18 · 2026-01-28T02:30:19+00:00

I’m having second thoughts giving ChatGPT so much trust - but it does seem very useful when asking it to explain things I don’t understand or how procedures go.

Megadolon · 2026-01-28T02:27:24+00:00

Good post. Chat has been super helpful in my situation. Good work putting in the time to prepare yourself!!

Title	Update
Author	NoIdeasNoSolutions
Upvotes	30
Comments	23
Date	January 28, 2026 2:21 AM UTC (6 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1qoyjot/update/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/update.1572104 https://theredarchive.com/post/1572104

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