I am a single mother of 2 young children. My husband and I have been married 13 years, and have been separated 2 years. I have worked as a teacher for 14 years. My legal problem has many avenues. My husband was hit by a drunk driver while at work 3 years ago and I left him 6 months after the accident. He has been on temporary disability collecting worker's comp. the past 3 years. I have been the sole bread winner and handled everything in the home after his accident. Because of his accident he lost his job, and we lost our home because we couldn't pay the rent on just my salary. My husband is being represented in a personal injury law suit, and I have been told that I am entitled to a portion of his earnings since we were married during the accident, as we still are. My husband owes arrears in his child support because it comes out of his workman's comp, which stops when the doctors clear him to go back to work, and his lawyers and doctors fight that he can't. I filed for divorce on my own through the divorce center a year ago, and have a court date of July 30th. My husband now has a divorce lawyer representing him through his personal injury firm, which he is paying for from his expected earnings. I have no idea how much he is asking for, although I believe it's a substantial amount. My husband has nothing - no permanent residence, no car, no checking account, no job. I have provided everything for my children, and I need his child support. obviously on a teacher's salary this is difficult. I have consulted a lawyer who told me that some lawyers will believe that I am entitled to a portion of his settlement, and half wont'.
I am in desperate search of a lawyer who believes that I am entitled to a portion of his settlement, and who will represent me in my divorce and take their fees from my portion of the settlement. Because of my husband abusing and living off the system for 3 years, I have no savings since I have been the only worker.
As far as the divorce is concerned, we have nothing to split, since we lost our home. I am asking for basics. That he not touch my pension, that he carry life insurance (he has none), that he be made to carry secondary health insurance for the kids. He is asking for more parenting time (he currently has them 2eevenings a week and every other weekend). He is only asking for more time to lower his child support, which is only 1000 a month. My husband was admitted to the mental institution part of a hospital in 2006 and diagnosed bipolar. He was put on medication and ordered to complete an out patient program. He is still on my health insurance, and has not taken medication or gone to therapy in years. Our 8 year old son is currently in therapy once a week because he hates going to his father's because my husband yells at him (typical bipolar swings). I need LESS parenting time, not more. It would be horrible for my son. I know that a lawyer can get his hospital records and therapist records to prove in court that he is unstable, but I alone can't.
I do not know where to turn. It seems so unfair to me that I have worked to support my children for 14 years, but can get no one to fight for me, and my husband can get all the legal assistance in the world. I need someone to help me.
I am in desperate search of a lawyer who believes that I am entitled to a portion of his settlement, and who will represent me in my divorce and take their fees from my portion of the settlement. Because of my husband abusing and living off the system for 3 years, I have no savings since I have been the only worker.
As far as the divorce is concerned, we have nothing to split, since we lost our home. I am asking for basics. That he not touch my pension, that he carry life insurance (he has none), that he be made to carry secondary health insurance for the kids. He is asking for more parenting time (he currently has them 2eevenings a week and every other weekend). He is only asking for more time to lower his child support, which is only 1000 a month. My husband was admitted to the mental institution part of a hospital in 2006 and diagnosed bipolar. He was put on medication and ordered to complete an out patient program. He is still on my health insurance, and has not taken medication or gone to therapy in years. Our 8 year old son is currently in therapy once a week because he hates going to his father's because my husband yells at him (typical bipolar swings). I need LESS parenting time, not more. It would be horrible for my son. I know that a lawyer can get his hospital records and therapist records to prove in court that he is unstable, but I alone can't.
I do not know where to turn. It seems so unfair to me that I have worked to support my children for 14 years, but can get no one to fight for me, and my husband can get all the legal assistance in the world. I need someone to help me.