What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Wisconsin
Hi,
I have a friend unfortunately going through a nasty divorce. She had a mental breakdown a few months ago and while she was recovering in a live-in facility her husband slapped her with this. As it stands, she is currently not working (as she is trying to recover) and is staying with friends to be near her family and support group. She has no money to her name, as the only accounts she has access to are joint with her husband, and there is apparently very little money in those. He gave her $500 and told her good bye. Also took her engagement ring, claiming it was "marital property" (don't know how this makes it HIS property).
Anyway she can not afford to hire a lawyer and is trying to apply for legal aid. There was supposed to be a hearing about finances or assets or something, which he canceled. They were married for about 2 years. While they were married, she was a homemaker although she was the sole provider while they were engaged and he was going to school. She believes her husband has a number of "secret" bank accounts he will attempt to hide from the court during a financial disclosure. I have also got information from a third party to back this up. Most of this money he claims to have had before the marriage, or that his parents gave to him.
My question: as wisconsin is an equitable distrubiton state, will these previously held accounts be accounted for when the property is divided up, or is only wealth acquired during the time of the marriage considered? Is 2 years of marriage enough time for her to be eligible for alimony, as she currently can not work to support herself and has no where to live? Also, is there a way to force him to disclose accounts he may be hiding, or for her to find out herself? He won't even allow her access to their past income tax statements.
Finally will a free legal aid attourney be able to help her out or would you recommend her trying to hire one specializing in family law?
Thanks for your help.
Hi,
I have a friend unfortunately going through a nasty divorce. She had a mental breakdown a few months ago and while she was recovering in a live-in facility her husband slapped her with this. As it stands, she is currently not working (as she is trying to recover) and is staying with friends to be near her family and support group. She has no money to her name, as the only accounts she has access to are joint with her husband, and there is apparently very little money in those. He gave her $500 and told her good bye. Also took her engagement ring, claiming it was "marital property" (don't know how this makes it HIS property).
Anyway she can not afford to hire a lawyer and is trying to apply for legal aid. There was supposed to be a hearing about finances or assets or something, which he canceled. They were married for about 2 years. While they were married, she was a homemaker although she was the sole provider while they were engaged and he was going to school. She believes her husband has a number of "secret" bank accounts he will attempt to hide from the court during a financial disclosure. I have also got information from a third party to back this up. Most of this money he claims to have had before the marriage, or that his parents gave to him.
My question: as wisconsin is an equitable distrubiton state, will these previously held accounts be accounted for when the property is divided up, or is only wealth acquired during the time of the marriage considered? Is 2 years of marriage enough time for her to be eligible for alimony, as she currently can not work to support herself and has no where to live? Also, is there a way to force him to disclose accounts he may be hiding, or for her to find out herself? He won't even allow her access to their past income tax statements.
Finally will a free legal aid attourney be able to help her out or would you recommend her trying to hire one specializing in family law?
Thanks for your help.