Legal Question in Family Law in California
what am I intitled to
I am legally seperated but not yet divorsed. I have 4 children for whom I have legal and sole custody of(ages 15 14,11&10)weve been seperated for over 2 years,married for15 1/2 years. I quit my job 13 years ago(I made over $16.00 an hr&had been with the Co. over 10 years) so that I could stay home and take care of our kids and household.(this was a very mutal agreement,strongly willed by my husband)I left my husband 5 years ago because of physical,emotional& verbal abuse and sexual assult there after. Am I entitled to spousal support along with child support? What eles am I entitled to and what are my legal rights?He took all the money out of our bank accounts and has never given me a penny of our tax returns over the past 5 years--he has also never given me a dime for child or spousal support and has took mutal life insurance pay offs(1 was for 5,500 dollars) and stolen the money I was subpose to get from my van when it was totalled 4 years ago. He has broken,ruined or stolen thousands of dollars worth of my personal belongings and my kids are witnessess to these accounts. He has stolen my mail and has used my sdocial security # to get credit. what can I do?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: what am I intitled to
It looks like your failure to get legal assistance has probably costs you tens of thousands of dollars. You have a right to child support and probably spousal support (cannot say without more information) Get legal representation. Probably you can get a court order for your husband to pay most of your attorney's fees. Good Luck, Pat McCrary
Re: what am I intitled to
You need to retain counsel, asap. Do not settle or finish divorce without it. You should be entitled to spousal support, even if limited time, entitled. Should receive portion of community estate and certainly child support. Court usually gives up jurisdiction over spousal support at time of divorce decree. Do something now.
Re: what am I intitled to
The advice I give will probably be similar to the advice given by any competent family law attorney.
You have already delayed far too long to retain an attorney - you should do so now!
You are entitled to 50% of the community assets. In addition you are entitled to child support and possibly spousal support. In fact, there are just too many issues to address in a short reply. My strongest piece of advice to you is RETAIN AN ATTORNEY NOW!
Regards, Damian Nolan