FIRST DIVORCE TRIAL:

The trial was finally conducted on November 30, 1994 in San Antonio, Texas.  

Throughout the trial, my attorney was very reticent and untalkative.  Also, 
periodically the trial had to be interrupted because my attorney requested he 
be permitted to go into another court room for another ongoing trial in which 
he was the attorney for a litigant.

With the exception of what my wife had already agreed to relinquish, all 
requests for property and funds by the opposing side was granted by the 
(male) Judge.   "All" requests I made to the Judge was denied.  

As a result, all financial savings already in control of my spouse (i.e., 
which comprised the vast majority of financial assets accrued in the marriage 
- a very large amount of money) were awarded to her, in addition to 50% of 
funds from any bank accounts I had.
  
Furthermore, I was ordered to pay to the opposing attorney $4,400.00 in 
attorney fees because a two month period elapsed in which he claimed work was 
performed.  The opposing attorney had requested Motions for Continuance 
causing a two month time period to elapse and now was being financially 
rewarded for delays he caused.  My attorney never contested this issue in 
court. 

With military retirement, I explained to the Judge the divorce process 
started in December, 1993 and calculations for military retirement my 
ex-spouse might be awarded could stop at that time.  

However, the opposing attorney argued the marriage existed through to the 
time of retirement.  Furthermore, my attorney even joined in with the 
opposing attorney and told the Judge the marriage should be viewed as lasting 
through September 1, 1994 for purposes of calculating ex-spouse military 
retirement pay.

When the judgment was announced, the Judge stated my spouse was being awarded 
a portion of military retirement pay (covering to the time of retirement) 
because, "I am required by law to divide military retirement pay." [exact 
words].

I wanted to appeal the Court's decision for the following reasons:

1.  the one-sidedness of the judgment (which even included dividing assets I 
owned and acquired before marriage),

2.  ex-spouse military retirement pay was awarded to my then-wife for the 
remainder of my life when:

     -    there was always the possibility of remarriage by my wife and she 
could be supported by a future husband,

     -    there were no children involved necessitating payments be made if 
my wife remarried and was adequately supported by a new husband,

     -    in the event of my ex-spouse's remarriage, my military retirement 
pay would be supplemental income to a family most likely in a foreign country:

               that came into existence well after my time in the military 

               who had no connection/affiliation/relation to me during my 
               time in the military

      -   individuals who might come to depend on me in the future for 
financial support would be penalized

My attorney agreed with appealing but I realize now for different reasons.  

He believed the fees awarded to the opposing attorney were unreasonable.  I 
had paid my attorney $2,800.00 to-date.  The opposing attorney was to be paid 
$1,600 more.