Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

URGENT! NJ/Pa Divorce Custody Papers

I have 2 minor children who were born & raised in Pa (6 & 13).

Married 25 yrs. Stay at home Mom for 24 yrs. He is abusive,controlling, and has not had any contact with these children in 3 yrs. 5+ yrs ago he left us 4 mistress & moved to NJ with her.

A few weeks ago I received an order 4 divorce/custody through the NJ courts.

I had 30 days to respond. I have only 1 week left.

I tried to go through legal aid, they refered me to NJ legal service who after weeks of intakes, faxes, and waiting, refused to take my case.

I am broke, scared, confused, and feel as if I'm backed into a corner. All I have been getting is a run around, while the clock ticks away.

He was paying Voluntary support, start lagging behind so I filed through domestics in Feb.

He never picked up his certified letter. Our hearing was rescheduled for 4/27. He has not been paying because he wants to make sure I have no money to fight him.

In the meantime I am faced with these custody/divorce issues, and our home utilities are being terminated daily.

We have No custody orders, no property, some marital debt, He's an engineer.

What are my options and what steps do I need to take and in what state?

Please help I am running out of time!


Asked on 4/16/07, 12:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Glenn Brown Real World Law, P.C.

Re: URGENT! NJ/Pa Divorce Custody Papers

Are your children still in PA? If so and if you can't afford to pay an attorney go to your local county courthouse where you went in February.

Have the complaint reinstated and then served on him. It may be served by several different methods across state lines.

Let the NJ court know a matter was already started in PA.

It might be advisable for you to have an attorney review your documents before you file with the court.

You may be able to get the court to order that he pay your attorney fees.

Good luck to you.

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Answered on 4/16/07, 1:24 pm


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