I'm trying to fill out the divorce forms packet that is available online for MN. Instructions are included, but I've got questions the instructions don't answer. I'll be filing Forma Pauperis. Legal Aid said it would be ½ year before they knew IF there was an attorney available to help. 
Here is a short history: I lived 1 year with the guy [an illegal alien] and then married him. Fourteen months later I fled as a penniless stay-at-home mom. I filed an order of protection, to which he pleaded guilty. He lied at the hearing about his income and was ordered to pay child support of $400. He hasn't paid and the county said they will wait 1 year before going after him. I have legal and physical custody of our 7 month old and 18 month-old. I'm 20 ½. He was verbally, emotionally, financially and physically abusive. I got my first job 3 weeks ago. My county aid will drop dramatically, as at $9.00/hr. I'm considered self supporting. My work shift is 7 ½ hrs/ day.
After I fled my aunt and Mom quickly removed the kid's and my personal things, furniture and household stuff my mom had given to me, and retrieved my 86 Toyota which was at my husbands work. Two months later he was arrested once for making terroristic threats: rape, kill and kidnap.
The divorce forms ask for my living address and for the name/address of my employment. I don't want to be stalked or run any risks. The instructions say I can't leave anything blank or the forms will be returned.
Q1. What do I do to not have to put the information on the divorce papers?
I had no say in the finances. He had me sign up for credit cards, utility accounts and rent contracts. If I didn't, I feared his abuse. As an illegal, initially he had trouble getting credit and a checking account. He gambled, spent money on who knows what. The credit cards, utility bills are in my name with unpaid balances. He stopped paying bills 3 months prior to my leaving.
Q2. In the divorce papers I list the bills and who should pay. I want him to pay them. Does this seem possible?
Q3. If the judge orders him to pay, what legally is available to make him do so, because he probably won't.
The forms ask about my weekly income and tells me to multiply it by 4.33, the results of which are used to determine my contribution to things and ability to pay. But, I only work 21 days during each month, not 22.
Q.4 How do I correctly represent my income?
It asks about daycare costs I currently pay and requests bills/receipts to verify. I currently have a low co-pay of $60./month, but it will go up to about $150. but after I file the papers. On top of it, I'm responsible to pay out-of-pocket for sick child care and for the 2 Sundays I have to work. The county will not pay for that. Sick care varies, and it will probably average 3- 4 days out of the month. Presently I've paid for 2 sick days in 3 weeks.
If I put down just what is occurring right now, I'll be stuck at a figure 200-$300 less than what will be going on 2 months from now.
Q5. How do I not get trapped into a low figure that presently I only have receipts to support a low figure?
Alimony: Husband makes $2650/month.
Q6. If I ask for $200/month for 3 years, does this seem realistic?
Q7. Will the court garnish his wages to force him to pay, if it is granted?
There is a section at the end that asks if I want to provide additional information to the court.
Q8. Is there some information that would be beneficial to put in there?
Q9. After the divorce, if he is NOT paying child support, but shows up at the supervised visitations, is there any leverage that can be used? [e.g. pay up or no visiting].
Q10. If after a time, if he doesn't pay and doesn't visit, can I have his parental rights terminated?
Thanks for any help.
Here is a short history: I lived 1 year with the guy [an illegal alien] and then married him. Fourteen months later I fled as a penniless stay-at-home mom. I filed an order of protection, to which he pleaded guilty. He lied at the hearing about his income and was ordered to pay child support of $400. He hasn't paid and the county said they will wait 1 year before going after him. I have legal and physical custody of our 7 month old and 18 month-old. I'm 20 ½. He was verbally, emotionally, financially and physically abusive. I got my first job 3 weeks ago. My county aid will drop dramatically, as at $9.00/hr. I'm considered self supporting. My work shift is 7 ½ hrs/ day.
After I fled my aunt and Mom quickly removed the kid's and my personal things, furniture and household stuff my mom had given to me, and retrieved my 86 Toyota which was at my husbands work. Two months later he was arrested once for making terroristic threats: rape, kill and kidnap.
The divorce forms ask for my living address and for the name/address of my employment. I don't want to be stalked or run any risks. The instructions say I can't leave anything blank or the forms will be returned.
Q1. What do I do to not have to put the information on the divorce papers?
I had no say in the finances. He had me sign up for credit cards, utility accounts and rent contracts. If I didn't, I feared his abuse. As an illegal, initially he had trouble getting credit and a checking account. He gambled, spent money on who knows what. The credit cards, utility bills are in my name with unpaid balances. He stopped paying bills 3 months prior to my leaving.
Q2. In the divorce papers I list the bills and who should pay. I want him to pay them. Does this seem possible?
Q3. If the judge orders him to pay, what legally is available to make him do so, because he probably won't.
The forms ask about my weekly income and tells me to multiply it by 4.33, the results of which are used to determine my contribution to things and ability to pay. But, I only work 21 days during each month, not 22.
Q.4 How do I correctly represent my income?
It asks about daycare costs I currently pay and requests bills/receipts to verify. I currently have a low co-pay of $60./month, but it will go up to about $150. but after I file the papers. On top of it, I'm responsible to pay out-of-pocket for sick child care and for the 2 Sundays I have to work. The county will not pay for that. Sick care varies, and it will probably average 3- 4 days out of the month. Presently I've paid for 2 sick days in 3 weeks.
If I put down just what is occurring right now, I'll be stuck at a figure 200-$300 less than what will be going on 2 months from now.
Q5. How do I not get trapped into a low figure that presently I only have receipts to support a low figure?
Alimony: Husband makes $2650/month.
Q6. If I ask for $200/month for 3 years, does this seem realistic?
Q7. Will the court garnish his wages to force him to pay, if it is granted?
There is a section at the end that asks if I want to provide additional information to the court.
Q8. Is there some information that would be beneficial to put in there?
Q9. After the divorce, if he is NOT paying child support, but shows up at the supervised visitations, is there any leverage that can be used? [e.g. pay up or no visiting].
Q10. If after a time, if he doesn't pay and doesn't visit, can I have his parental rights terminated?
Thanks for any help.
