Hello, may I please get advice?

[sierra53]

See if you can get legal help from these places: http://www.lsmo.org/

http://www.lsmo.org/topics/862

https://apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/freehelp.cfm?id=MO

I replied to this but did not see it in the post, thank you kindly for this information, I will scrutinize it carefully upon arriving at the web sites. Again thank you, this is a great start!!!

 

[Bali Hai]

Do not agree to the property settlement until you feel that you are getting your fair share of assets. You can handle that without an attorney, though I agree strongly with the earlier suggestion that you get your own attorney and not rely on his. Simply refuse to settle until he agrees to divide the assets fairly. Start with that "piece of paper" you have and research until you find the hidden money.

That could take a very long time when there is no hidden money. Reference: The Beatty Chadwick Case.

 

[sierra53]

That could take a very long time when there is no hidden money. Reference: The Beatty Chadwick Case.

Hello, yes...I realize this. Frankly, that I don't care about. However...a few things spiked my interest on behalf of my future from the info received in this forum.. For that I am thankful.

 

[latigo]

Missouri
Hello, I am in a rather unusual predicament. My husband has filed for a divorce. We are using his attorney. We have nothing to separate, I have lived alone for a year now. However, we were married 20 years. I was told by his attorney that the retirement plan on behalf of what I may when I too retire is up to him and me. Its all we have to separate. I have cleaned homes off and on for years but no verifiable income, no retirement money at all. I receive a check for $220 a month from prior husbands pension plan. Last I checked for my own SS was 7 years ago and it was like $186. I am 53 years old and trying to get a GED just to make a dollar more than this pay I receive now...$10.42. I work part-time. He had cancer and an APR operation about a year and a half ago. His cancer is in remission and not expected to come back. I too am physically afflicted. I will have no insurance after our divorce. He has a brand new 2015 F150 pick up truck he is leasing, a 2015 Harley Davidson Glider, Also a ATV 2014 Can-Am, however, he makes alot of side money, so this ATV was paid off and hidden as far as items listed on documents I received by the server. I know this. I don't care. I have a 2000 jeep in which I dropped $1,200 in last year and I was able to do that because I sold my wedding band. I just had Carpal Tunnel op because I will no longer have any insurance after divorce. I also listed today a bracelet on Craigslist to survive another two weeks until I can get back to work. I am a diabetic insulin dependent/high blood pressure victim if you will. I have no money...I know he has a safe full, nothing I can do about it. I did not want this divorce...it's just the way it all went. I am broken in my heart. However, I must survive, any help is good. I don't know where to start, I have no money for an attorney and thats why I am starting here, to possibly educate myself a bit. My husband did not list his retirement earnings from Central States Fund Pension on the divorce documents I received from the server., but, long ago he had given me a piece of paper that he had hand written and gave to me in case anything happen to him in regards to his retirement.. I am at a loss. Right now typing with one hand, my account is just about wiped out, and myself also. All we have to separate and agree on is his retirement and I don't know where to start. I have 30 days to reply. His attorney is sending me a pamphlet of all that he is agreeing on and if I agree I am to sign it and they will set up a court date. I would think all of his earnings until he retires as far as his retirement should be listed on that document being prepared and sent out to me. It's a mess, any help is good help. I don't know how much more I can withstand. Thank you again, any help is good help. How do I find out about this retirement, how much he will receive and what is fair on my part?

Considering you dire financial straight it is very likely that you would qualify for free legal representation under the many Missouri bono progams. To learn more I suggest that you go to and study the following URL. www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=43918

Most disturbing here is your reporting the duplicity of your husband's lawyer. If what you state is true, that he is advising you of your rights under Missouri's marital and divorce, he is guilty of a most grievous violation of professional ethics. So serious as to jeopardize his ability to practice law.

Short of embezzlement of funds entrusted to him, in my personal opinion there is no more palpable example of a lawyer engaging in professional misconduct than to counsel both sides in a lawsuit, divorce or otherwise. He or she should not have allowed any communication between the two of you.

I strongly urge you to bring this to the attention of the proper Missouri authority. In your state that authority is not the state bar association as it is in many, but is vested in the Missouri Office of Chief of Disciplinary Counsel, a division of the Missouri State Supreme Court.

To learn how to communicate with that office and file a formal complaint please visit www.mochiefcounsel.org.

Also, unsettling to me is Proserpina's suggestion that you would be shamefully free loading off of you husband should you seek assistance from him in funding your ability to engage legal services.

She seems to be unmindful of the fact that he is undoubtedly using jointly owned marital assets to pay his ignominious shyster! Or that in many states, including mine, the family court has the authority to order that the husband assist the wife financially in that respect. Particularly where there is such a discrepancy in the ability as evidence here. But then neither is Proserpina an attorney.

 

[Proserpina]

Considering you dire financial straight it is very likely that you would qualify for free legal representation under the many Missouri bono progams. To learn more I suggest that you go to and study the following URL. www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=43918

Most disturbing here is your reporting the duplicity of your husband's lawyer. If what you state is true, that he is advising you of your rights under Missouri's marital and divorce, he is guilty of a most grievous violation of professional ethics. So serious as to jeopardize his ability to practice law.

Short of embezzlement of funds entrusted to him, in my personal opinion there is no more palpable example of a lawyer engaging in professional misconduct than to counsel both sides in a lawsuit, divorce or otherwise. He or she should not have allowed any communication between the two of you.

I strongly urge you to bring this to the attention of the proper Missouri authority. In your state that authority is not the state bar association as it is in many, but is vested in the Missouri Office of Chief of Disciplinary Counsel, a division of the Missouri State Supreme Court.

To learn how to communicate with that office and file a formal complaint please visit www.mochiefcounsel.org.

Also, unsettling to me is Proserpina's suggestion that you would be shamefully free loading off of you husband should you seek assistance from him in funding your ability to engage legal services.

She seems to be unmindful of the fact that he is undoubtedly using jointly owned marital assets to pay his ignominious shyster! Or that in many states, including mine, the family court has the authority to order that the husband assist the wife financially in that respect. Particularly where there is such a discrepancy in the ability as evidence here. But then neither is Proserpina an attorney.

*Yawn*

Need a Snickers, dear?

 

[ecmst12]

It sounds like once the divorce goes through you should easily qualify for Medicaid, or at least low cost state-subsidized health insurance.

 

[stealth2]

I have to say that this is the kind of poster I came here to help. Someone who understands their knowledge is lacking, but is using us as a means to help themselves. I'm much more willing to go the extra mile or so for that than for a "help me! help me! you must help me 'cause I don't want to help myself" poster.

 

[Silverplum]

Can somebody reach out to CJane for this poster? (I can't beyond PM, so I ask.)

 

[stealth2]

Can somebody reach out to CJane for this poster? (I can't beyond PM, so I ask.)

Done.

... ...

 

[single317dad]

Considering you dire financial straight it is very likely that you would qualify for free legal representation under the many Missouri bono progams. To learn more I suggest that you go to and study the following URL. www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=43918

Most disturbing here is your reporting the duplicity of your husband's lawyer. If what you state is true, that he is advising you of your rights under Missouri's marital and divorce, he is guilty of a most grievous violation of professional ethics. So serious as to jeopardize his ability to practice law.

Short of embezzlement of funds entrusted to him, in my personal opinion there is no more palpable example of a lawyer engaging in professional misconduct than to counsel both sides in a lawsuit, divorce or otherwise. He or she should not have allowed any communication between the two of you.

I strongly urge you to bring this to the attention of the proper Missouri authority. In your state that authority is not the state bar association as it is in many, but is vested in the Missouri Office of Chief of Disciplinary Counsel, a division of the Missouri State Supreme Court.

To learn how to communicate with that office and file a formal complaint please visit www.mochiefcounsel.org.

Also, unsettling to me is Proserpina's suggestion that you would be shamefully free loading off of you husband should you seek assistance from him in funding your ability to engage legal services.

She seems to be unmindful of the fact that he is undoubtedly using jointly owned marital assets to pay his ignominious shyster! Or that in many states, including mine, the family court has the authority to order that the husband assist the wife financially in that respect. Particularly where there is such a discrepancy in the ability as evidence here. But then neither is Proserpina an attorney.

While I don't disagree at all with your concerns about the husband's lawyer, I can say from personal experience that, while certainly unethical and possibly illegal, it is not uncommon for one lawyer to wholly handle a divorce. He's referred to by many as "our lawyer" and the poor sap who isn't actually legally represented by said lawyer has no idea what hit him/her in the end.

 

[rooms222]

Also note that the Central States Pension fund is very underfunded, and is proposing large cuts to most members at this time. This may affect what you are owed from it. http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/07/retirement/central-states-pension-fund-cuts/

 

[sierra53]

Considering you dire financial straight it is very likely that you would qualify for free legal representation under the many Missouri bono progams. To learn more I suggest that you go to and study the following URL. www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=43918

Most disturbing here is your reporting the duplicity of your husband's lawyer. If what you state is true, that he is advising you of your rights under Missouri's marital and divorce, he is guilty of a most grievous violation of professional ethics. So serious as to jeopardize his ability to practice law.

Short of embezzlement of funds entrusted to him, in my personal opinion there is no more palpable example of a lawyer engaging in professional misconduct than to counsel both sides in a lawsuit, divorce or otherwise. He or she should not have allowed any communication between the two of you.

I strongly urge you to bring this to the attention of the proper Missouri authority. In your state that authority is not the state bar association as it is in many, but is vested in the Missouri Office of Chief of Disciplinary Counsel, a division of the Missouri State Supreme Court.

To learn how to communicate with that office and file a formal complaint please visit www.mochiefcounsel.org.

Also, unsettling to me is Proserpina's suggestion that you would be shamefully free loading off of you husband should you seek assistance from him in funding your ability to engage legal services.

She seems to be unmindful of the fact that he is undoubtedly using jointly owned marital assets to pay his ignominious shyster! Or that in many states, including mine, the family court has the authority to order that the husband assist the wife financially in that respect. Particularly where there is such a discrepancy in the ability as evidence here. But then neither is Proserpina an attorney.

Wow, this entire reply is well said. Also with your last statement is the reason I threw her under the bus and didn't reply. No reason too. Thank you for your help, its very informative.

 

[sierra53]

Also note that the Central States Pension fund is very underfunded, and is proposing large cuts to most members at this time. This may affect what you are owed from it. http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/07/retirement/central-states-pension-fund-cuts/

Just keeps getting better and better. Well, anything could fly, we all could be in a sewer by then, no one knows. However, presently I need to remain focused and fight the good fight of survival.

 

[sierra53]

While I don't disagree at all with your concerns about the husband's lawyer, I can say from personal experience that, while certainly unethical and possibly illegal, it is not uncommon for one lawyer to wholly handle a divorce. He's referred to by many as "our lawyer" and the poor sap who isn't actually legally represented by said lawyer has no idea what hit him/her in the end.

This is why I came here first. I don't think she was being a provocateur if you will, but was trying to keep the door open for whatever choice I made. I am sifting through my options with the foresight afforded to my delicate situation here. It's been remarkable really, this forum has a wealth of information. I can attest to my ignorance, sorry to say...I thought it was till death us do part....not until us do divorce.

 

[sierra53]

I have to say that this is the kind of poster I came here to help. Someone who understands their knowledge is lacking, but is using us as a means to help themselves. I'm much more willing to go the extra mile or so for that than for a "help me! help me! you must help me 'cause I don't want to help myself" poster.

LOL!, thank you Stealth!. I truly am looking for a direction and have found one here. I have been trying to mentally stay alert and seek out the best options on the table for me...I have spent too many days in tears, its time to move along. Hello credit card I only had $220 on for the Surgical Center I had to pay for with my Carpal Tunnel Op I just had<< that was long. It will have to be my life preserver for an attorney until I can otherwise get some money together. I don't like debt...but....its coming down to the wire. I'm just in a pickle now with funds excruciatingly low, I am talking, light the last dollar so as to use it for heat in the house...anyway, thank you Stealth.