Respectfully request advice as newly divorced dad

I like to think out of the box. if there is a way you can work it out without lawyers,that IMO is best. lawyers will take their cut of whatever you (both of you) have. I would tell her that and talk and see if you can "amicably split" "going to war" is expensive. Like previously said if all she did was run up debt, no reason to hate her for that ,she left ok, she needed a break, she took the kid, women will always take the kid unless they know they cant take care of the child. I don't know the whole story, but OP don't hate too much on your wife because she wigged out and went to moms for a while. It sounds like its early in the split,emotions running high. Just make cautious decisions, like said if either party feels they are "going to war" things escalate fast,and lawyers treat everything the same way for everyone. as in ;"every split up is the same" that isn't true.