K.M. asks from Littleton, CO on May 20, 2008
I'm Looking for Some Legal Advise
I've been married for 6 years and am having a hard time in a very controlled relationship. I am a stay at home mom of 3 beautiful children. My husband works very hard at his job and is currently starting his own business. My problem is that my husband controlls every aspect of my life, including the finances. I get an "allowance" every 2 weeks and have no credit card use. He monitors everything I spend through online banking and then questions me about it. I just found out he is now montoring my cell phone calls (since he gets all the bills) and my calls from our home line. On the weekends when I want to go to the store without all 3 kids in tow I receive the 3rd degree as to where I'm going, how many minutes - hours I have to be gone and how he has to "babysit" the kids. He has threatened to take away my car and just recently didn't give me my "allowance" and my bank account went into overdraft. He didn't give me my allowance to teach me a leason, so he said. I've been very stressed and depressed because I am miserable. I don't believe in divorce, but the D word has been brought up lately. He also has told me in not so many words that if we do separate I will not receive the children. I don't have any family here in Colorado and am at a loss for what my legal standings are since I don't work. I just want to know what my legal standings are and if I have a leg to stand on if something negative were to happen. Since I have no finacial means to pay for legal advise, what are my other options. I am looking into couples counseling to help. I don't want to end our relationship in divorce because we do have some great moments and our children are wonderful and my entire world.
More Answers
E.B. answers from Denver on May 21, 2008
K.,
as a single father who did eventually get to keep my kids full time, I can guarantee you that your husband is WRONG. In the state of Colorado fewer than 1 father in 1,000 end up with full custody. It is more likely that you will have shared custody but that's a different story.
The courts look favorably on moms (and to a lesser extent - dads) that work hard to protect their children and who put their children's best interests ahead of all else. Your husband is completely wrong about your legal standing - job or no job, you are highly regarded within the eyes of the court. Your husband is trying to create fear in you.
There are free legal services. But far ahead of that, protect yourself and your children.
Good luck - take care,
E.
2 moms found this helpful
C.H. answers from Denver on May 21, 2008
Dear K., You can't fix this, because the problem is his. You're not doing anything to cause his behavior, and nobody deserves to be treated like this. Please phone a battered women's shelter and start discussing an exit strategy. This will only get worse over time.
If you're too terrified to make the phone call because he'll monitor it, but you want to start exploring the situation, start by taking the kids to a library -- an innocent outing. While they're looking at books, go start reading a book about battered women. Bring tissues, because you will recognize yourself. When you're ready to make a break or contact a shelter discreetly, talk to one of the librarians. Tell her that you need one of the shelter's representatives to meet you at the library to talk. You pretty much need to work yourself up to get brave enough to leave, but in the meantime, this is probably a good way to remain secretive. God bless you.
2 moms found this helpful
J.R. answers from Denver on May 21, 2008
I'm a lawyer and while I don't practice family law, I have in the past and I think his threats of keeping the children are incorrect. It's just a way to control you. Your greater issues with a divorce may be financial and a concern for your safety. It sounds to me like you are in an abusive relationship, whether or not he is physically hurting you. There are resources out there for all of your questions - and you will find a lawyer to represent you on a pro bono basis.
Check out Project Safeguard (legal options) ###-###-####.
Also, check out Safehouse. They are the best. They can help you with your options, including how to contact a lawyer without your husband knowing. If you call them from a public phone or email them through a public computer, they can help you figure out a way to contact them in the future without your husband knowing.
SafeHouse hotline number: ###-###-####
SafeHouse email address: ____@____.com
SafeHouse web site: www.SafeHouse-Denver.org
Good luck.
1 mom found this helpful
K.C. answers from Denver on May 21, 2008
Unfortunately I don't have any legal advice for you but I just wanted to say that I will pray for you and your family. Are you a member of a church? Can you seek counseling there?
1 mom found this helpful
T.M. answers from Denver on May 21, 2008
There are many attorney out there that will give you free legal advice. I think it is horrible that you are in such a controling relationship. No man should ever treat a women like that. You should really consider getting out of that relationship and fighting for your kids. Just because you are a stay at home mother doesn't mean you can't get full custody of them. You have my support and I think you will find that you have support from many other people.
1 mom found this helpful
B.M. answers from Denver on May 21, 2008
Hi K.,
I believe you are in the need of more than legal advice. Please contact SafeHouse Denver immediately at http://www.safehouse-denver.org/ or ###-###-####. If it is not possible for you to contact them via phone or internet then drive there - 1649 Downing Street in Denver. SafeHouse is equiped to provide you with information you need to protect yourself and your children.
Good luck - my prayers are with you.
1 mom found this helpful
E.R. answers from Denver on May 20, 2008
That's a tough situation! Bottom line is that your spouse is too controlling, and he controls you by controlling the money. For some reason, he has to use this power over you. You should try couples or individual counseling. He needs to trust you. I am sorry your are unhappy. Try to work out this control problem before seeking divorce. Document all his controls/power trips, just in case you can't work things out. Good luck!
1 mom found this helpful
T.H. answers from Denver on May 21, 2008
Hi Kristen!! I don't like to hear how your husband is treating you!! My sister in-law is an attorney in the family law practice. She is great and caring. If you want the web site is www.harrisfamilylaw.com and her name is Hollie Hinton. It's nice that you want to make things work but, your kids understand whats going on and if it's not healthy for you to be in that situation than it's not healthy for them. Everything that he is telling you is wrong and he is trying to scare you. I hope this helps. At least she will be someone to talk to and you can be informed and educated on the subject. Good luck!
1 mom found this helpful
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