LOL!! I didn't, no. It never even crossed my mind. But that's okay, there will be many more trips to the Portage County Courthouse before this whole thing is permanently laid to rest. The most important document, the one for which I just might take a picture, is the one that results from the legal process that was finally started today.

@firecracker I was extremely luck that ours was very amicable. I downloaded the paperwork from the MN Court system, filled it out, we filed jointly so after he signed it I brought it to the courthouse and paid $377. No lawyers!

@Marcie1974 Yes, we are going the pro se route as well, and filed a joint petition. However, apparently because of past issues with pro se filings, a petition such as ours will not be considered for a final hearing until after an organization called the "Family Law Information Center" (FLIC) certifies that we have a marital separation agreement and that we each have an individual financial statement, all in writing, that will be considered complete and properly formatted for the court.

Now you wouldn't think this would be too much of an issue -- a couple of appointments, pay the fee to the FLIC, and get their certification so that a court date can be scheduled for the final hearing. HOWEVER, since the ex (Lynn) will be moving to California in a couple of weeks to pursue reconciliation with her ex-husband, she will not be present to work with FLIC. I will have to be a "runner" of sorts, getting Lynn's papers from her via fax, email, snail mail, or however she sends them, then take them to FLIC so they can see them, be the messenger to tell her what they said about the papers. UGH. I am hoping it won't be as bad is I'm afraid it could be, but Lynn is not the most detail-oriented individual on the planet and, somehow, didn't hear the entire conversation with FLIC that we had prior to filing. :-/

Then there is the requirement that we both be present, in person, for the final hearing. This will, of course, require that she travel back from California for the hearing.

I wish that it was as easy as filing it and forgetting it, but the law here makes pro se joint divorce petitions way more involved than they should be. It took us less than a day (drunk, I might add!!) 3 1/2 years ago to get a marriage license, find someone to marry us, and file the marriage certificate with the court in Indianapolis. All told, about 3 hours.

With the complications surrounding a pro se joint divorce petition in Portage County, WI, and the fact that they won't even schedule a final hearing until the paperwork legwork has been signed off on by FLIC, plus the requirement we both appear in person, this could take 6 - 8 months. :-/

No lawyers might be a whole lot cheaper, but it would certainly also be a whole lot faster. That's probably why they do it this way. Lawyers making the laws.

@firecracker my jaw is literally on the ground. That is absolutely ridiculous. Punishing a couple because they get along well enough to file jointly?!?!

I filed ours mid-September but had heard our county was way behind on everything court related. My ex was trying to buy a twin home, which of course is difficult to do as an individual if you are still technically married. So he called the county and explained the situation. They scheduled a court date of November 1st. We both went in and the judge basically went through the paperwork line by line asking me if I agreed with everything. I was the one to fill out the thing so of course I agreed with it all. I mean I get why they do that in case of abuse but it seemed a little silly. Then he asked Jeff if he agreed with everything. He said yes and we were done. I think it maybe to 30-40 minutes. I was so freaking elated!!!

Really, really sucks you have to wait that long. I know for me, once we made the decision to divorce, I just wanted to be DONE with it!

@Marcie1974 yeah, I just want this to be done. All I can do is hurry up and wait. I would very much like to but a house too, but it would be unwise before this is finalized.