Separation And Divorce
What is the name of your state? Virginia
My wife and I have been Married for 4 years now and are discussing (it's going to happen) getting a divorce. Actually just found out a couple weeks ago. She was going for a new job. I thought it was to help our financial situation, but she bluntly came out of the blue and told me because she wanted to save her money so she could afford a divorce. Neither one of us have any clue where to start. We have a 4 year old son and a 2 year old daughter.
I am in the military so we moved to Central Virginia and bought a house back in Sep 06. The market is dry and basically there isn't any equity in the house. The house payments are $1800 a month. I know to survive I need to sell this house, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. To put it in perspective there are 5 houses for sell on my street and 4 of them have been for sell since Jan.
Our kids currently go to a preschool/childcare facility that costs $1200 a month.
Question #1: What is our first step...do I move out, does she? Who gets the kids? Can I leave with the kids without her calling the police? Can she? Okay that was a couple.
Question #2: After we get a separation agreement can one of us move out without the other calling it abandonment? When is it considered abandonment?
Question #3: She has said she would do joint custody...should I or should I take it to court? What are my chances of getting the kids?
Question #4: If she leaves and I keep the kids...I can not afford the house and childcare...what are my options? Am I stuck?
If I move out, am I still responsible for making the house payments, even though I know she can't afford it, especially with the childcare? I just don't know what to do...it all seems to complicated.
I Need help....step by step instructions....please help...please walk me through what I need to do...and please don't just say see an attorney...right now money is not something I am made of considering...the things about to happen.
What is the name of your state? Virginia
My wife and I have been Married for 4 years now and are discussing (it's going to happen) getting a divorce. Actually just found out a couple weeks ago. She was going for a new job. I thought it was to help our financial situation, but she bluntly came out of the blue and told me because she wanted to save her money so she could afford a divorce. Neither one of us have any clue where to start. We have a 4 year old son and a 2 year old daughter.
I am in the military so we moved to Central Virginia and bought a house back in Sep 06. The market is dry and basically there isn't any equity in the house. The house payments are $1800 a month. I know to survive I need to sell this house, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. To put it in perspective there are 5 houses for sell on my street and 4 of them have been for sell since Jan.
Our kids currently go to a preschool/childcare facility that costs $1200 a month.
Question #1: What is our first step...do I move out, does she? Who gets the kids? Can I leave with the kids without her calling the police? Can she? Okay that was a couple.
Question #2: After we get a separation agreement can one of us move out without the other calling it abandonment? When is it considered abandonment?
Question #3: She has said she would do joint custody...should I or should I take it to court? What are my chances of getting the kids?
Question #4: If she leaves and I keep the kids...I can not afford the house and childcare...what are my options? Am I stuck?
If I move out, am I still responsible for making the house payments, even though I know she can't afford it, especially with the childcare? I just don't know what to do...it all seems to complicated.
I Need help....step by step instructions....please help...please walk me through what I need to do...and please don't just say see an attorney...right now money is not something I am made of considering...the things about to happen.
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