How can I get a lawyer to help me with my divorce?
Posted by adminJul 30
I left my husband in Feb. because his alcoholism had gotten so bad that he finally hit our children. This had NEVER happened before, so the first time, I thought it was an accident (he said it was). The second time, I began laying my plans to leave, and he did it one more time before I could get out. I didn’t report it because I didn’t want to expose the children to interrogation or witnessing their father being carted off to jail. We lived in Illinois at the time, I now live in Tennessee with the kids. Legal aid here won’t help me because I haven’t lived here for 6 months and am not a legal resident, and Illinois legal aid won’t help me because I don’t live there, either!!! In his petition, he is trying to make sure that he can see the children, but I CAN NOT let the kids be with a man who drives drunk on a regular basis, and who hits them!!! What can I do to file my own petition and try to get him help (he admits he needs help), OR keep the kids from him until he sobers up?
4 comments
Comment by liznnm on 07/30/2011 at 7:49 pm
Based on what you’ve described, I highly doubt the courts would allow your husband to see the kids in an UNsuppervised manner. You could get a lawyer and as part of the divorce settlement, the husband pays for all legal costs. Can you borrow money from family? Surely they would help with this kind of situation.
Sobering up is a long, long process. I would attempt to keep the kids away from him until you get legal help. No way would I allow the kids with him, assuming he did hit them twice.
Comment by WiseGal on 07/30/2011 at 8:13 pm
try to call a women’s shelter and they may be able to
give you an idea….
I have lived in my state for over 12 years and it was
difficult to get Legal Aide to help me.
So good luck and the fact that you have children
should get you help faster. Let the Women’s Shelter know
about his drinking and hitting children.
Comment by yep its me on 07/30/2011 at 9:06 pm
you can do as the first person suggested or you could wait till you can get legal aid also start documenting every phone call and if possible record them I had to do that with my ex wife to get custody of our daughter .
Comment by box of rain on 07/30/2011 at 9:43 pm
Go to an Al-anon meeting.
Get a sponsor.
Follow her suggestions.