so after talking to the lawyer yesterday this is what he said.
Part 1. In Japan there is something called a chotei. This basically is a way that at the courts you decide if you will divorce or reconciliation. Nothing to do with assets or custody. That happens next. After applying it’ll take about 1 month.
Part 2: if talks with the other party do not work out you will go to court and decide custody and asset assortment.
The lawyer said that I should be able to do part 1 easily by myself. If the lawyer does it it would be ¥330,000 yen upfront. And if wife is already determined to get a divorce then there is no way to change anything. Now that I think about it, I wonder if this is because of money…
Part 2 is where the lawyers start to be very useful. This would be another ¥330,000 yen.
He made in sound like that by doing it by myself at first should be fine. I could also call her lawyer to try to meet with her before hand but her lawyer would probably not allow it. Meeting my son would a similar thing. Call her lawyer and make it happen. Again at her lawyer and her ok. I can also apply to meetings with my son at the court when I apply for the chotei.
It’s hard. I feel like I should have a lawyer help with this even though there may be no reason. Especially for contacting her lawyer.
The lawyer I talked to (haven’t hired anyone) said it may be easier to meet beforehand if I don’t have a lawyer.
So I’m at a loss of what to do. Not sure…
But I’m also desperate to start this and meet my son again, among other things.
Should I try the first part by myself or get a lawyer now?