Talk to your doctor, as you are already planning to do.

The type of anxiety and depression you have been experiencing can be much more deep rooted then just what is going on right now, including your history with your ex and possibly some medical problems that contribute... chemical imbalance, thyroid problem, etc.

I would really not assume that this will all go away once you have a good settlement. You may feel a lot better, but your trip to the hospital is not just to make you feel better, it is to help you establish a firm foundation so that you won't have to go through this again.

Can you get a lawyer, even one assigned by the court, just to look over the paperwork before you sign? Even if his lawyer is reputable, she is looking out for his best interests, not yours. I'm not sure about this, but even if you can't get a lawyer to bring with you and represent you, can you call a law firm and see if you can bring the paperwork there for review before you sign, have them explain everything to you so you understand everything? Maybe at a fixed rate or something, I would think cheaper than making a "house call"

Do you feel comfortable with his lawyer? (not that that replaces getting counsel of your own by any means) I would think that a lawyer would have some professional ethics to go by and would not be as prone to play the mind games that your ex seems to revel in. Use your own judgement about that.

I hope this turns out to follow through just the way you have hoped. But don't let it interfere with your plan for treatment. Talk to the doc and it may pay to get a lawyer even if it will be tough to pay, if the agreement is good for you, don't let him push you around because he is "doing a favor"... if necessary, sign it under the agreement that he keep the kids for one or two more weeks so you can go for your treatment and get a plan for yourself, then after that he returns them to you and all is then (hopefully) over with.

Most important is to get some advice with this... whatever kind of legal counseling you can manage, and foremost, stay in touch with your doc throughout, be honest with him, and do what you have to to make this settlment work without sacrificing your health.

Good luck itsjustme and hope it all goes well, let us know!

{{{{{{itsjustme}}}}}}

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