Is what he's doing ok?

[tnaro117]

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

My husband filed for divorce about a month ago. He left the marital residence leaving behind wife and three young children. We agreed after our 2nd child was born that I would quit my job and stay at home with our children, and since then having one more. Although he has been making sure the house and other bills are being paid for, he has cleaned out our savings account, opened up another checking account and has been moving/taking money from what was once a shared checking account. I do not have the money for a lawyer as I am and have been a stay at home mother for 3 and a half years. I need help. I need to know if what he is doing is legal, if not how do I go about addressing what he is doing to the courts?

 

[mistoffolees]

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

My husband filed for divorce about a month ago. He left the marital residence leaving behind wife and three young children. We agreed after our 2nd child was born that I would quit my job and stay at home with our children, and since then having one more. Although he has been making sure the house and other bills are being paid for, he has cleaned out our savings account, opened up another checking account and has been moving/taking money from what was once a shared checking account. I do not have the money for a lawyer as I am and have been a stay at home mother for 3 and a half years. I need help. I need to know if what he is doing is legal, if not how do I go about addressing what he is doing to the courts?

Look at your divorce paperwork. Typically, there are default orders about closing accounts and moving money around. If he is using the money for normal living expenses, he won't be penalized. If he's hiding it, he can be penalized - but only if you bring it up and can prove that he did it. You need to be able to document how much money was in the accounts at the time he filed for divorce.

First, you're going to need to find a job.

Beyond that, you should file for temporary support.

Do yourself a favor and go talk with an attorney. If you call around, you can probably find one who offers free initial consultations or, at least, very low cost ones. It is very important for you to understand what you're entitled to. If stbx has a good income and/or if there are sufficient assets, the attorney may be able to get the judge to have stbx pay his fees. Then, spend a lot of time here reading various threads to get an idea of what you would entitled to.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

If it was a joint account, get copies from the bank showing the balance in the accounts.

 

[tnaro117]

Where do I bring the copies?

Even though he changed his address for his bills I still get the bank statements from our joint checking and joint savings account sent to my house. I also went to the bank, when all this forst happened and got print outs for both checking and savings acount. It shows money being taken out clearly..but no record of WHERE it is going. He has asked the court for a hearing for temporary custody hearing for our three children until our official court date...should I bring these papers with me there??

Thank you all so much for your help.

 

[LdiJ]

Even though he changed his address for his bills I still get the bank statements from our joint checking and joint savings account sent to my house. I also went to the bank, when all this forst happened and got print outs for both checking and savings acount. It shows money being taken out clearly..but no record of WHERE it is going. He has asked the court for a hearing for temporary custody hearing for our three children until our official court date...should I bring these papers with me there??

Thank you all so much for your help.

You need to file a counter motion for temporary custody of the children, possession of the marital home, and for temporary child and spousal support.

The bank statements you will use for your property settlement, but it wouldn't hurt to take them to the first hearing so that you can prove that he has taken the money that you could have used for temporary support.