Legal Question in Family Law in Alaska
I have been married for 15 years and during that time I have been a stay at home mom to four children ages 14, 11 and 3.5. I was married directly out of high school and got pregnant three months later so I have pretty much no work experience or training. My husband and I bring out the worst in each other and I feel that if I continue to raise my children in this atmosphere it will do permanent damage to them. My husband is a hard worker and a good father, but he does have a drinking problem. I want a divorce but I am scared of how I will be able to care for myself and my children without work experience, or schooling.
We currently own our home (still owe on it), we each have a vehicle,mine is paid off, his is not and my name is not on that vehicle. We have a small amount of credit card debt that should be paid off next month. I just want to get an idea of what will happen to me financially if I decide to go through with the divorce. How do I go about paying for a lawyer when I have no income? I am curious how the court look upon custody when the parent has no job or experience. I want to go to school but in order to do that I would need to move as we live in a very remote area. So I also need information on relocation. I just need to make sure that I am going to be able to keep my children and care for them if I go through with this. Thank you for your time.
1 Answer from Attorneys
From your zip code, I see that you are in Klawock. It is fairly remote indeed.
You should be aware that a court can award you lawyer fees ("suit money") to be paid by your husband. That might help you to pay for an attorney.
Also, your circumstances seem to suggest that the court might also award you spousal support (alimony) for several years to enable you to acquire the education necessary to get a career.
The lack of job experience is not a serious detriment to being awarded primary physical custody of the children. More important are your parenting skills. If you are awarded custody, you will of course also be awarded child support.
I suggest you contact several near-by law firms (Ketchikan perhaps) and see if they are willing to assist you, or at least give you a no-charge consultation. I am licensed to practice law in Alaska, but am currently in Florida, so representation from the other side of the continent might be a problem. But if you would like I would be happy to discuss it further.
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