Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Controlling Vindictive Husband

My live-in girlfriend is going thru a divorce with a violent, controlling man. Originally, she signed filing papers, not fully knowing what they said. Now she wants to contest several items. Here are the questions: Can she be forced to pay 50% of a car debt she never signed for or was present for purchase when she never had a job during their marriage? She works now, but makes less than $1,000 a month. Can she legally change her name if he stops the divorce proceedings after she contests? What does she need to do to contest? Can he refuse to ever divorce her, leaving her married to him for the rest of her life? More questions to come, but I'll start with those. Thank you for your time.


Asked on 3/15/06, 12:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Controlling Vindictive Husband

Without knowing what documents she signed it is hard to make predictions about what the effect of signing is. As to whether she could be ordered to pay 50% of a debt for purchase of a car, yes, especially if she signed on pleadings saying she would. He can say anything he wants to about refusing to divorce her, but that has no legal effect, she can still force the divorce; what he can fight about and potentially force a trial over (thereby dragging the matter out) is property and debt allocation, spousal maintenance, child support, and parenting plan (if there are children). It is hard to make a recommendation about specific course of action without detailed and specific information (a copy of the particular documents that she signed).

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Answered on 3/16/06, 6:40 am


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