The legal system is such a ridiculous mess. You file papers, wait, file more papers, have someone other than a family member serve papers to the person you are "suing", file more papers. wait...wait..get a hearing date then wait.

Normally, this would be done my your attorney, but we are doing this ourselves. Thankfully, there is a local Court Assistance Officer, free of charge to help you through all of the confusion.

But I am one of those people who needs, not really hand holding, but step by step instructions. The Court Officer is helpful to a point. But she had been doing this for like ever! I get confused and frustrated and she has NO patience for this. Having said that, she is patient to a point.

I went in today with "copies" of some papers. I've already filed and served and filed EVERYTHING with the clerk. The Court officer looked at me and with a raised voice asked me WHAT papers have you served and filed. My mind went blank and the tears began. I cry when I'm stressed. I can't help it, they just flow.

She looked shocked and finally she gave me a step by step to follow. I've been to her several times over the past few months regarding these papers. She IS good and I have no fee to pay. But I am not in the legal world. ALL of this is confusing and stressful.

We have our hearing date, I just hope I've done EVERYTHING as it was supposed to be done!

Fingers crossed.