"Kate Wilhelm - Justice For Some" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilhelm Kate)

"Yes, the house," Sarah said, nodding. "You have both stated that one parent should be allowed to
remain in the house where the children have lived all their lives, so they can continue to attend the
schools they are familiar with, enjoy the friendships they have made, and suffer the least amount of
trauma. This arrangement, of course, would mean that one parent would have primary custody;
however, you have both requested and agreed to joint and equal custody, and this issue must be
resolved. The court appreciates that you both recognize," she went on smoothly, "that divorce is always
traumatic, and that probably the children suffer even more than the parents in these cases. In studying
your financial statements, I came to the conclusion that the parent who must move out will suffer a severe
economic hardship in trying to maintain a second house large enough to accommodate the four children
during their visits.

Therefore, that cost must be borne equally between you, since you are being awarded joint custody, and
it is the stated purpose of this hearing today to assure that your children are not plunged into poverty
along with one of the parents."

Mr. Wickham glowered, but almost instantly he crossed his arms and then nodded. Mrs. Wickham
began to shake her head; her eyes filled with tears. "I don't have enough money for another house," she
whispered.

"I know you don't," Sarah said. "And neither does Mr. Wickham, not really, although he may think at
this moment that he could manage it." "What I said all along is that we gotta sell the house," Mr.
Wickham said.

"No," Sarah said firmly. "You have very little equity in the property, although the payments are quite
manageable, but payments on two houses, or even two apartments large enough for four children, would
be a burden. Everyone would be impoverished very quickly." She paused a moment, then said, "What
this court is prepared to order is that the children remain in the house, and that you take turns living in it
with them.

Their trauma will be lessened considerably, and you could joint rent an apartment, or rent separate
affordable apartments, as you prefer."

The silence in the room was profound for several seconds as they all stared at her.

Mr. Wickham began to change color, his ruddy face growing darker and darker red, and Mrs.
Wickham was shaking her head again, harder this time.

"You can't do that!" Mr. Wickham cried. He turned to. his lawyer. "She can't do that!" "Yes, Mr.
Wickham, I can," Sarah said, and stood up.

"You both asked for custody of the children, and this court will grant joint custody on those conditions.
Now, what I suggest is that all of you discuss this, either here, or perhaps across the street in the coffee
shop. Let us meet again this afternoon at four. Thank you."

She walked to the door, and glanced back at them.

Johnny Weber had moved to stand behind Mr. Wickham's chair, and had his hands firmly on the larger
man's shoulders, holding him down.
Johnny Weber met her glance and winked.