Need help/ideas for my sister

[soveryexcited]

She is going through a really really tough time right now. She and her husband have two girls (7 and almost 5). No one in the family knew, but he has been verbally abusing her for years and years. Over the past two years, it has gotten worse, to the point where he started yelling at the kids and bordering on being ''rough'' with them (ie., pushing them out of the way, etc). About a month ago, she confronted him on everything, and he seemed to take it well. About three days later though, after another conversation, it blew up and he repeatedly struck her. She left the next day with the kids. They don't own a house and have very few assets so there isn't anything much on that realm to fight over.

We had no idea what was going on with him. He said that he wasn't going to do anything. But today she got a call from a lawyer he retained that he is suing for some sort of custody. She is devastated. I honestly think she thought at some point maybe they could work things out, but after this, she says she is done. I was wondering if any of you ladies had gone through something similar and if I could give her some info or even a name she could email to ask whatever questions she has as she starts this incredibly difficult journey. Thanks!

[winecat]

Has she contacted domestic violence support line/groups?

Has she filed a police report for the last incident of abuse?

[soveryexcited]

She called the police after the abuse and they came out and took pictures and a report but she didn't press charges.

She has called a couple DV hotlines.

Should she find a lawyer that specializes in DV cases or child custody cases?

[soveryexcited]

How does it work with child support? She has a degree in history but hasn't worked in eight years. Can she recieve child support even if they aren't divorced yet?

[soveryexcited]

Thanks Inara! (who was my favorite character in Firefly...) :-)

[soveryexcited]

Yeah, because she's a badass AND a lady. :-) And thanks! One of my friend's husband is a family law attorney and said he would meet with her tomorrow for a consultation. Hopefully she can get some answers.

[BlueBayou]

Jun 15, 2013 23:29:28 GMT -5 soveryexcited said:

Yeah, because she's a badass AND a lady. :-) And thanks! One of my friend's husband is a family law attorney andstayse would meet with her tomorrow for a consultation. Hopefully she can get some answers.

Pls tell your sister not to give up and to stay strong. Someone who has done this for years, as you put, is not going to change anytime soon and she has little ones who WILL learn this way if she stays. She needs to protect herself completely from this man financially emotionally and legally as much as possible and not worry about being "mean". Someone who treats their spouse this way does not love them at least not the real sense.