Friend needs help

[4AFriendInNeed]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

A friend of mine has been emotionally neglected by her husband for nearly 3 years. Warnings of his neglect and repeatedly asking him to give her the things she needs only leaves him frustrated and hurting her more. He's not physically abusive, but he also refuses to try to make things better. She tried leaving for a couple weeks to make him see what he was losing, but there has been no REAL change in his behavior. He tries things he read in "The 5 Love Languages" to a T, but nothing personal or from HIS heart. Everything feels fake, or staged, just to get her in bed. She just feels he is only concerned with HIS needs, which is 99% sexual. She is no longer emotionally attatched and has no desire to fulfill those needs any longer. She wants out, but he says he won't sign separation papers. She can't afford an attourney and she is at her limit. He has hurt her DEEPLY with his actions, lack-there-of, and with his words. What can she do?

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

A friend of mine has been emotionally neglected by her husband for nearly 3 years. Warnings of his neglect and repeatedly asking him to give her the things she needs only leaves him frustrated and hurting her more. He's not physically abusive, but he also refuses to try to make things better. She tried leaving for a couple weeks to make him see what he was losing, but there has been no REAL change in his behavior. He tries things he read in "The 5 Love Languages" to a T, but nothing personal or from HIS heart. Everything feels fake, or staged, just to get her in bed. She just feels he is only concerned with HIS needs, which is 99% sexual. She is no longer emotionally attatched and has no desire to fulfill those needs any longer. She wants out, but he says he won't sign separation papers. She can't afford an attourney and she is at her limit. He has hurt her DEEPLY with his actions, lack-there-of, and with his words. What can she do?

She can either go to counseling with him, go to counseling without him, persuade him to agree to a separation agreement, or file for divorce.

ETA: OhioGAL is an Ohio attorney and GAL, and will have much more information at hand. In the meantime, your friend can read this: http://www.divorcenet.com/states/ohio/ohfaq02

 

[mistoffolees]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

A friend of mine has been emotionally neglected by her husband for nearly 3 years. Warnings of his neglect and repeatedly asking him to give her the things she needs only leaves him frustrated and hurting her more. He's not physically abusive, but he also refuses to try to make things better. She tried leaving for a couple weeks to make him see what he was losing, but there has been no REAL change in his behavior. He tries things he read in "The 5 Love Languages" to a T, but nothing personal or from HIS heart. Everything feels fake, or staged, just to get her in bed. She just feels he is only concerned with HIS needs, which is 99% sexual. She is no longer emotionally attatched and has no desire to fulfill those needs any longer. She wants out, but he says he won't sign separation papers. She can't afford an attourney and she is at her limit. He has hurt her DEEPLY with his actions, lack-there-of, and with his words. What can she do?

I wish I had a dime for every time someone said they can't afford an attorney - and another dime for everyone who tries to get a divorce without an attorney and then lives to regret it.

She needs to contact an attorney. Initial consultation may be free (depends on the attorney) and she may be able to work out a payment plan.

But she really needs to step back and look at the situation. She's expecting her husband to 'make things better' when that's nearly impossible. If she can't do things to make herself happy, expecting someone else to fulfill her needs just because she wants it is setting herself up for a life of unhappiness. She needs to take charge of her own life and not wait for someone else to 'make it better'.