AboutLaura Giles Expertise I can answer questions related to filing charges, support groups, leaving, safety planning, getting a protective order, getting counseling, or staying.
Experience I worked as a domestic violence advocate in the court system. I am also a counselor.
Education/Credentials B.S. Human Services Counseling
Master of Social Work
Question I asked my husband to leave the home 8 months ago. We were married 24 years. He is now living with my oldest daugter. I have two sons in the home 13 and 15. My ex is an emotional abuser. I have had me and my boys in counsleing for the last year. I had to start working fulltime and taking care of my sons and everything else. I asked my ex for help with the boys many times to no avail. HE has seen them maybe a total of 20 hours in the last 8 months. I filed for child support because he was threatening to not pay me all the time causing me a huge amount of stress. Recently he appealed the support. My sons are having severe emotional problems and now drug use..I have been a recovering alcoholic who has relapsed because of all the stress. I am now on a domestic violence leave suggested by the therapist and my MD.
Now my ex and my daughter are threatening to kick me out of a home that I have 50 thousand dollars invested in, they are wrting nasty letters because all i asked was to see the loan docs because I have been paying the full amount of the mortgage and put 50k down with no contract.
I have no money for an attorney and no where else to go. I have just recently signed my boys up for out pt substance abuse treatment....and me too.
My son stated this morning that he talked to my younger son and he told him that he feels that if he didnt smoke marajauna he would blow his brains out. I am going to write to my therapist this morning ...but the problem is legally I cannot stop my ex from having contact with them and it is always negative. My older son told me that he feels like everyone is making our home the battleground....we are just trying to live in peace and get the help we need to get on with our lives. What should I do?
Answer Dear Robin
You seem to have a mental health emergency on your hands. If your son is suicidal, your first task to to get him treatment. If your husband is the cause of that, you should be able to get a protective order barring him from contact with your sons. You really need to talk to a local domestic violence advocate in your area to find out what your rights are regarding your home and the protection of your sons. I am not familiar with the law where you are and what resources are available to you where you live. There are options out there however. Don't give up. A local person can help you figure out what they are.
