legal assistance?

[edawgm]

Any one out there that is legally inclined and can help my wife friend out? Divorce type stuff. She just needs some questions answered. One example of what she is going through is she is pregnant, he claims its not his. He gets a lawyer and gets an emergency child custody for there youngest child because he says she is doing drugs. They also have 3 other kids but nothing was done with them. I do not know all the details just a few. And no she is not doing drugs. from what I understand she did in her past but I can even vouch for her in saying that she is not doing them. Not that it means much but I am a military cop. Last I was told he has closed all of the accounts and left her with nothing to support herself and the kids. Because a month or so ago he made her quit her job because he started thinking she was cheating on him. She was working at Wal-Mart part-time and had to work nights due to all the kids.

Well I guess I went a little to much into it and I know this might sound like a poor her story but she is stuck and does not really know what to do. She has helped my wife and I out a lot and I do not know what else I can do. If anyone can lend out an ear and answer some question for her please pm me.

Thanks
Ernest

[Bill S]

If you are looking for a good divorce lawyer:

http://www.davidlwillis.com/index.jsp

Feel free to use my name. That being said, it really doesn't sound like she can afford one? Might try Legal Aid.

[edawgm]

Thanks Bill
I know she has just about nothing and she has already called Legal Aid and just for her to ask some questions and get some info they want $800. That is why I was just seeing if someone can answer some questions she has so that she know's what she needs to do next.

[captexas]

Have her look in the phone book for lawyers that offer free first consultations. That is a good way to feel a lawyer out for some information on what her options are. Talk to more than one as sometimes they will sell you a good story inorder to get you to hire them and then once things get rolling they wimp out. A bad divorce and a custody battle will be expensive so be prepared. Some lawyers have payment programs or lower their fees depending on a persons income and situation.

I've been going through a child custody case for 18 months now and it may not be over with for another 6 months. It's worn me out emotionally, physically, and financially. I've thought about firing my lawyer a few times. I've learned that the legal system is not always fair, justice isn't blind, the courts and juries are stuck on 19th century beliefs/values, and that apparently lieing, cheating, and manipulating can help someone win instead of the best person.

Sorry for my rant. I wish your friend luck in her case. It's good she has friends like you and your wife she can lean on.

[Joshua]

If they can be convinced to come to some sort of agreement it would be far better than any attorneys can do for either one of them. All the attorneys want to do is drain their cash. I watched my dad go through at least 6 lawyers over a 5 year period, they'd drop him when he ran out of money and leave him hanging. He spent upwards of $200,000 and no telling how much she spent either, in the end after all the incredible mud slinging and money spent and both parties almost going to jail multiple times they ended up with standard visitation. Now, as soon as it's all over she willingly gave him the kids and only picks them up for visitation about half a day a month and they don't spend the night. Why couldn't they just do that before and skip all the BS???

[edawgm]

Thanks Chris
I was just on her looking for a lawyers that do free first consultations for her. She is coming by her later on tonight to use the computer since he also wiped out all the electronics from the house. He has been trying to get things out of there bit by bit thinking he will get to keep it all when the divorce is final. LoL I do have to say though from what my wife told me he did not like it when our friend told him she would get half of everything they bought since they have been married and she mentioned the motorcycle and his tools. LOL Not the most important thing but dang women know how to hit the right spots.

I do feel for you and hope all works out. I do know a little second hand about the lying, cheating manipulating and what a little money and knowing the right people will do. I watched my sister go through it a few times, and I think she has finally learned her lesson, but who knows.

[edawgm]

Why couldn't they just do that before and skip all the BS???

I think she would but he keeps on doing things. It has been him doing all the BS because he wants everything his way or no way. He got a loan on the only vehicle they had that was paid off (being the one she drives) and just went and paid for a lawyer and she did not know anything about this because she was in Houston helping her mom out. Then while she was there, he closed their joint accounts and tried to strand her there. Then as soon (being today) as she got back he shows up at the house with his lawyer and gives her some paper work stating something like Emergency custody of the youngest kid because he told his lawyer she was doing drugs. So she has not had one of the best days.

[jroescher]

She needs to go to the womens shelter or whatever advocacy center is near her. They'll have all kinds of connections with lawyers and legal help.

[ou812pezz]

Is the husband in the military by chance?

[tony]

if she is a military spouse she needs to call her husbands 1st sgt ASAP