How did you cope financially?

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

Not giving you enough money for you and your kids to live off is domestic abuse. Specifically, it's called financial abuse. He has absolutely no right to deny you and your kids your basic necessities! Legally, you are entitled to part of the assets (I think it's half?) despite what he may want you to think. There are laws that were set up specifically for women who don't work as they are at home looking after children, to ensure that they weren't left with nothing when a relationship ends just because they were doing unpaid work - being mums! I agree with what's already been said, call legal AID and explain the situation, and definately get copies of all your financial papers. Before legal proceedings happen, I'd suggest you stay in the house and tell him to leave. Finding a rental for your children at this point would be very difficult. If he needs to, he can stay in a motel or something but you may not have that option. Apart from that, this will be a difficult time for your children anyway and would be compounded by the different surroundings of a new house plus the stress of moving. Once legal proceedings take place, you or your lawyer would work out with exH and his lawyer what would happen to the house and assets.

Best of luck to you! Let us know how it goes. *hugs*

[kelebek]

Hi all girls,

I wanted to send you lot's of , this must be a very difficult & confusing time for you at the moment.

he makes me feel like the biggest waste of space, we don't have joint accounts, he has his own money and doesn't give me any and has recently gone sailing in spain for almost 4 weeks and left me with $500

I did want to second what NJ said, it is financial abuse which is domestic violence & it sounds like he is probably verbaly abusive as well. I know it is probably something which is hard to admit because when people think of domestic violence they think of physical abuse but it is so much more, does he also isolate you from your friends & family?

See a family lawyer, seek legal aid, speak to a financial counsellor, speak to a domestic violence hotline, get as much info as you can. Do as lulu has said & make sure you photocopy all documents etc... I would also not leave the house it is unfair to uproot the girls, it is thier home as well. I would suggest that when/if you ask him to leave when the girls aren't around (either at school or someone's house) & I would call the police a few days before hand to let them know so if he does become physically violent they are more likely to get there quicker. Definitely change the locks, is it possible to have a male relative/friend there as well??

Goodluck with your decision...