Expert: Equality in Marriage Institute - 1/24/2006

Question
My husband is divorcing me. He still lives here in the house with me, he has not left. I have a lawyer but I am not sure that I am asking all the right questions. Husband has threatened to press charges against me if I take away the for sale sign in front yard. He has the house up for sale and says that we will separate when the house sells and we move. My lawyer says that me and my 2 sons (who are not this husbands kids) but he has been raising them since 2 & 4 years old. They are now 15 & 17 and will be able to stay in this house. But I can not afford to pay what it costs on my own. My husband says he is fighting me as hard as he can. I need support and good advise on how to manage this situation. Thank you, Dedee

Answer
Dear Dedee,

Here are some sites you may want to check out to gain more information on the divorce process: divorcesource.com, equalityinmarriage.org, womansdivorce.com, divorcenet.com and divorcemag.com. Each of this sites has helpful info on divorce.

As you did not include the state in which you live I cannot give you exact links of where to find more information on your rights but here's how you can find info using google.

"Name of your state + divorce", "Name of your state + bar assoication" (many state bar's have websites with free infomration on divorce and on how to handle your lawyer).

It is surprising that your spouse is legally allowed to place the home up for sale during the divorce process. I would speak to lawyer about this.

You mentioned that you are unable to live on our own financially. Eventually you will need to, so you may want to begin to come up with a budget and take a look at how much you may be able to secure in cash from your marital assets. Scan your local paper for rentals or perhaps a place to purchase. The more you can plan ahead now on how much your monthly expenses will be the better you can speak to lawyer about what you can receive in a settlement and on how much money you will need to make each month.

Definitely check out the above links for more information.
I hope this was helpful.