I have been living with my girlfriend Melissa for almost 6 months. Melissa is married and we live in Texas. (She has been separated from her husband for over a year.)
Her husband was abusive toward her physically, but she never pressed charges or involved the law. He also cheated on her several times.
Anyway, she has been wanting to break free from him for quite some time, but he says if she files for divorce, he will not sign the papers, granting her one.
There are no children between them, so that is a good thing.
My question is: Can he simply refuse to sign divorce papers, and in essence, keep her chained to him forever? I find this hard to believe, and I think she is putting too much stock into what he says.
I advised her to talk to a good divorce lawyer, and we are currently saving money for the procedure, as her husband refuses to pay his part.
I was told that if she files, he basically has to sign them, or he forfeits any property they may share to her, but she seems to think that his refusal is the end of the story.
Please help, and thanks in advance.
-Brian
Her husband was abusive toward her physically, but she never pressed charges or involved the law. He also cheated on her several times.
Anyway, she has been wanting to break free from him for quite some time, but he says if she files for divorce, he will not sign the papers, granting her one.
There are no children between them, so that is a good thing.
My question is: Can he simply refuse to sign divorce papers, and in essence, keep her chained to him forever? I find this hard to believe, and I think she is putting too much stock into what he says.
I advised her to talk to a good divorce lawyer, and we are currently saving money for the procedure, as her husband refuses to pay his part.
I was told that if she files, he basically has to sign them, or he forfeits any property they may share to her, but she seems to think that his refusal is the end of the story.
Please help, and thanks in advance.
-Brian