The Spousal Unit finally signed.
She sent me an e-mail 2 days prior to the court mandated date*. Of course, in that same e-mail was a renewed push for insurance.
Not trusting that she actually signed, given her prior history, I refused to allow myself to get excited by this news. Rather, I told myself I wanted a paper copy of that decree—signed, certified, and recorded in the county records.
…so I waited…
The court-mandated date passed. Given time for mail deliveries and administrivia, I did not expect to hear this soon (but was hopeful, nonetheless).
…and I waited…
Not wanting to assist my lawyer in buying her new Porsche, I did not ask her what was going on. Instead, I looked for other information sources. And the internet came through for me…
Our county court (and likely just about every one) has a web site of all court actions for public viewing**. I checked under my name and—yep—there I am.
At first? No record of the decree being recorded***.
A few days later? A line had been added! It said, “FINAL JUDGMENT & DECREE OF DIVORCE FILED AND GRANTED TO BOTH PARTIES”! But, I still had no paper copy…nor was there a downloadable version on the web site.
Waiting a few days more—finally, a .pdf file. I downloaded it and printed it immediately. It had all the signatures (especially the judge’s!) and a stamp on the front saying it was recorded in the county records.
Still, as of today, no “official” mail copy of it…but I’m divorced.
Stuff left to do—asset splitting and selling the house—but…I’m divorced!
…I’m divorced…and out…

Wheeeee!!!!!!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
*Learned of this date while pinging my lawyer for information (at $$ each ping). This just increased my ire.
**This will be a good source for checking up on future dating opportunities as well—I can track how many restraining orders have been thrown at potential dates. I can see if they’ve been arraigned for spousal abuse. I can even see if they’ve been arraigned for sexual perversions—that latter working both ways in that I can find someone with similar…or intriguing…interests… <grin>
***While not finding my decree, I did find an interesting tidbit where both of our lawyers were threatened with Contempt of Court by the judge because of the delays in getting the decree finalized in a timely manner. <chuckle>
Tags: divorce, elusive freedom, officially official, The D word
June 1, 2009 at 07:48 |
Congratulations!!!!!
June 1, 2009 at 08:10 |
Oh frabulous day, calloo callay – and about bloody time. Can’t wait to see the posts about your dating adventures …. should be entertaining 😉 [you still owe us a pick up line post … remember?]
June 1, 2009 at 08:42 |
weeee haaawwww!
Scotches all around!
June 1, 2009 at 09:46 |
Is “congratulations” the proper response? Anyway, I am happy for you.
June 1, 2009 at 10:39 |
free at last… “out” is good. unless you happen to be gay in the US Military, that is!
rock on, gnu-man!
June 1, 2009 at 10:46 |
I thought I felt the world do a little bump..must have been when you threw it off your shoulders. Now–repeat after me “sorry, that wasn’t part of the divorce, so I’ll have to think about it” pause for effect..”NO” very good–keep doing that daily in the mirror till you can do it with a straight face. (the smile just inferiorates some ex’s)
Anyways…Congrats..
(aint public records great..you can find all kinds of stuff out about your neighbors)
June 1, 2009 at 20:13 |
Yay! I’ll drive tomorrow… do what you will with that information.
June 1, 2009 at 20:37 |
Ha – I THOUGHT I heard an audible exhale.
I raise my kid’s half drunk juicebox to you, good gnu.
June 1, 2009 at 22:03 |
Well gnukid, it must feel pretty good to at least be very near the end of this particular journey. In spite of, well, everything, it couldn’t have been easy.
The burden should be off now so get on with it and start really enjoying.
June 2, 2009 at 07:47 |
And about damned time, too. Good luck on the rest of your life.
June 2, 2009 at 17:49 |
Let that be a lesson to you. Don’t be a Larry King. Don’t become a serial husband. I guess it’s okay to try it once more but if it doesn’t work out the second time, then leave it alone!