File For Divorce Without Lawyer?

[MJDavis]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

Ok, I have been married for 3yrs. with 4 minor children-all my husband's. I got laid-off in August and am receiving $300.00 every two weeks. He works full time. The marriage was over before it started. It has been the worst 3 yrs. Every time things got bad we'd both make promises, start over, etc. but obviously so far nothing. Right now I am writing this with a swollen black eye he gave me because I confronted him over another woman.

I want to file divorce asap but lawyers are quoting me fees of $1000.00 or more up front. We used to have a free legal service in the area but I've checked and it no longer exists. Can we file on our own for divorce without the help of an attorney?

And for all of the questions about why I don't have him in jail.....I asked the local law enforcement and after a short stay he would be released until he went before the court. I know him and have no doubt in my mind he would come home and kill us both. Seriously. And no...PFA would not stop him.

I absolutely want no alimony and no support. I can't give details but know that he is a definite and immediate danger to my children. He actually wanted them to be aborted. He did not hold a gun to my head and force himself on me. I wanted it and my children. They are my responsibility. Actually when I met him doctors told me I was infertile so we did not think pregnancy was an option. I just want him 100% out of our lives.

Thanks, Mae

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by MJDavis

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

Ok, I have been married for 3yrs. with 4 minor children-all my husband's. I got laid-off in August and am receiving $300.00 every two weeks. He works full time. The marriage was over before it started. It has been the worst 3 yrs. Every time things got bad we'd both make promises, start over, etc. but obviously so far nothing. Right now I am writing this with a swollen black eye he gave me because I confronted him over another woman.

I want to file divorce asap but lawyers are quoting me fees of $1000.00 or more up front. We used to have a free legal service in the area but I've checked and it no longer exists. Can we file on our own for divorce without the help of an attorney?

And for all of the questions about why I don't have him in jail.....I asked the local law enforcement and after a short stay he would be released until he went before the court. I know him and have no doubt in my mind he would come home and kill us both. Seriously. And no...PFA would not stop him.

I absolutely want no alimony and no support. I can't give details but know that he is a definite and immediate danger to my children. He actually wanted them to be aborted. He did not hold a gun to my head and force himself on me. I wanted it and my children. They are my responsibility. Actually when I met him doctors told me I was infertile so we did not think pregnancy was an option. I just want him 100% out of our lives.

Thanks, Mae

I am going to tell you something very seriously. If you let him get away with beating you, then some day he may very possibly kill someone, and it may be a child....or another woman who doesn't deserve to be beaten. Getting divorced from him is not necessarily any protection for you or your children. Take your children and go to a battered women's shelter. They can help you.

[mycarlb]

Listen to me... I am a battered woman who survived and got my life back together... you MUST establish abuse if you ever want to try and stop him from unsupervised visitation with your children... go to the shelter... they are WONDERFUL places... not at all dirty or over crowded... go and establish your case of abuse first and foremost... they will assist you in getting your divorce, going to court to get protective orders, setting up a SUPERVISED visitation schedule - if the family court so inclines to issue ***which they will if you go to the shelter NOW with your black eye!!!****

You cannot live your life in fear anymore!!! If he's gonna get you then he will, but most of these low life MF's are just using scare tactics to get you to stay because they are so insecure and afraid of you leaving them alone that they think torture and abuse is the only alternative they have to keeping you.

And you MUST get support for your children until such a time that he surrenders his parental rights, or the court takes them away because you cannot get government assistance of any kind for your children if you tell them you are not seeking support from your ex... they don't care how afraid you are of him, he made those babies and he is obligated by law to take care of them. Support collection will go after him so you don't have to deal with it. The money he sends goes to them, not to you, so he doesn't have to know where you live...

If you need someone to talk to, you can email me ok... I have been through more than you can ever imagine in your worst nightmares, and I escaped and never looked back!!! But you have to move quickly while you still have that shiner!!!

click on my name and select to private message me, I will give you my email address in a private message... if you need a friend...

Julianna