Sorry to hear about your troubles Tanada.
If it were me I would do whatever possible to not get attorneys involved - the more rancor the more billable hours. Sorry I can't be more helpful...
As well your spat too Kathy.
I guess the only thing I can think is Carlin might be seeing the effects of the things you have been quietly preparing for these years and is perhaps feeling a little of the stuff most of us felt when it comes to dawn.
He denied, then negotiated (by helping out on some projects) and is perhaps now getting angry that your forecast might have had some truth.
I don't really know but I do know that lots of times guys will get defensive when his plan turns out to be incorrect. And like you say the added stress of providing for the new kids in an shaky economy is an added stress.
If I remember he works of the farm and you work at home, just from my experience brining in the bacon can be a load, not to diminish your part of the load in any way. Point is I feel much more control growing food than I do working for a wage or in fact selling into a market.
We sold some steers at the auction last week and I was pretty frustrated when we got the check. In fact, we had one 600# Guernsey steer that brought $203 - the Holsteins were of course better but disappointing as well.
My point is that I mopped around for a day or two second guessing myself, my plans and my options to do better and perhaps that is what Carlin is feeling lately. If I'm totally off just ignore me
As you know I am expert at nothing, kid, just thinking out loud.
Hang in there, otherwise you'll have to change your handle!
The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves -- in their separate, and individual capacities.
-- Abraham Lincoln, Fragment on Government (July 1, 1854)