Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland
Financial Abuse in the family
My husband and I bought a house a year ago. He pays mortgage. I pay all utilities & other expenses. In the past several months husband
has been excessively using the utilities- keeping the heat at 80 F from Sept on. I told him I would not be able to pay resulted higher gas bill. He continues excessive use of gas heat. Our gas bill for the past 2 months doubled: exceeded $400 per month. He refused to pay the extra amounts. Now we are
2 months behind on gas bills & I am expecting a disconnection
notice any time now. Husband says:''OK, let them disconnect the gas''- and continues to use it excessively in the meantime. We have a child whos health would be effected if our heat, hot water and cooking gas are disconnected. Are there legal ways to make him pay and to prevent this from reoccuring in the future?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Financial Abuse in the family
You should buy a plastic case to install over the thermostate which would prevent him from adjusting the heat. They have a key system so that only the key holder can operate it. If he destroys it, you might be able to treat it as an act of domestic violence, if threats are involved.
Then you could go to court against him. If you were separated, you could file a court petition for custody and child support, which you could use to offset home expenses.
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