My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Nevada
How can I request the judge not to a lot attorney fees to the plantiff? I am the defendant.
I highly value your time and help in finding the best course of action. Thank you.
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History:
On Sep 02, 2015 I received a letter from my ex wife's Attorney. Stating that they want reevaluation of child support, modify the custody order and that the plaintiff will be demanding attorney fees. I have 2 weeks to respond with my tax returns otherwise they will file the motions.
Incident:
2 days before the last day of responding the letter. I called the attorney to request a convenient time for me to stop by and drop off the tax returns as well as discuss the custody issue. I wanted to mediate.
During our conversation:
Attorney refused to meet with me in person to discuss the custody and insisted to drop of the requested tax returns at the front desk and or via mail. I even mentioned what my intent was He was very stubborn and mentioned there is no need to have a face to face conversation regarding the matter. Just drop of the tax returns. He also mentioned that child support is a basic math he will calculate.
My Course of action:
If an attorney doesn't wanna discuss the custody and is not trying to mediate he is not in the best favor of the child. That why he doesn't wanna talk face to face with the other party.
As I am representing myself I decided not to hand over my tax returns to the Plantiffs attorney. Ill filed the necessary motions myself and served him the financial disclosure and other docs on the last day of response to his letter. I also requested judge to order mediation though the family help center. Which was granted.
Opposition:
The attorney filed the opposition...in the opposition he mentioned the plantiff should be awarded attorney fees. Bcz the defendant refused to cooperate and abruptly filed the motions. They wanted to mediate and negotiate outside the court and the defendant by filing the motions made the attorney start billing his client. And that he has been practicing form last 19 years etc.
NOTE: There are other facts in the opposition filed which are not true and I will address them with facts and proofs. Showing the judge that the attorney didnt do his home work and is misleading the case. For example that i am not stable...try to distract court. However, I have always maintained employment and a residence close to my work and that I do not have a car seat and that I change cars a lot. 1 traffic ticket in last 5 years. No criminal record. moving up in my profession. good healthy habbiist. etc.
My Reasoning is this:
If he had the best interest of the child he should have meet me face to face when I requested.
I agreed to negotiate by meeting face to face . He refused so he is not or was not trying to mediate.
If the Plantiff cannot afford the attorney fees. then they could have gone to court directly, go to the legal help center and or call the district attorneys office for child support evaluation. All these resources are free for the families that cannot afford attorney fees. As I cannot. So I represent myself by learning doing home work and for the best interest of the child. To protect the rights.
And if the Plantif wants to mediate they can do it for free or a small amount with the court assigned mediator. I dont know if i cannot afford I find resources that can employer me to protect my and child's rights.

