Wife broke in the house and took everything

[anne17]

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

My son's wife left and took three young children 200 miles away to live with her parents. She refuses to allow him to see the children except to drive 200 miles away and meet in a restaurant. He went out of town and while he was gone she drove to his house (he had changed the locks) with a moving van and took everything out of the house except one mattress and his clothes. He arrived home to not even a cup to drink water out of. He had told her she could take her own personal belongings (not thinking she would break in when he was not home). She considered all of the furniture hers because her parents bought it for them over the 10 years they were together.

He is very depressed from missing his family - and now it is much worse from being in an empty house. He recently lost his job because of the depression. He is completely broke - no money for food (or lawyers).

 

[cbg]

That's a sad story. When you have a legal question, be sure to let us know.

 

[LdiJ]

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

My son's wife left and took three young children 200 miles away to live with her parents. She refuses to allow him to see the children except to drive 200 miles away and meet in a restaurant. He went out of town and while he was gone she drove to his house (he had changed the locks) with a moving van and took everything out of the house except one mattress and his clothes. He arrived home to not even a cup to drink water out of. He had told her she could take her own personal belongings (not thinking she would break in when he was not home). She considered all of the furniture hers because her parents bought it for them over the 10 years they were together.

He is very depressed from missing his family - and now it is much worse from being in an empty house. He recently lost his job because of the depression. He is completely broke - no money for food (or lawyers).

Losing his job due to being depressed was a choice that he made. I cannot feel much sympathy for someone that cannot pull themselves together enough to keep their livelihood.

He is going to have to pull himself seriously together if he wants to be part of his children's lives. How long ago did his wife leave?

 

[anne17]

That's a sad story. When you have a legal question, be sure to let us know.

What can be done legally? Can he press charges against her for theft?

 

[anne17]

Losing his job due to being depressed was a choice that he made. I cannot feel much sympathy for someone that cannot pull themselves together enough to keep their livelihood.

He is going to have to pull himself seriously together if he wants to be part of his children's lives. How long ago did his wife leave?

They left two months ago. They were inseparable for ten years. He always had a baby in his arms while taking care of house/family. It was a shock to come home from work and find them suddenly gone.

 

[Just Blue]

What can be done legally? Can he press charges against her for theft?

No. He didn't steal anything. He actually had no right to change the locks on the marital home.

 

[Ohiogal]

What can be done legally? Can he press charges against her for theft?

Nope. He had NO RIGHT to lock her out of the marital home. She did nothing illegal. He should have filed for divorce immediately and requested that the children be returned.

 

[anne17]

Nope. He had NO RIGHT to lock her out of the marital home. She did nothing illegal. He should have filed for divorce immediately and requested that the children be returned.

Thanks. So she had a right to take everything leaving him without even a spoon to eat from? (Isn't it marital property and owned by both?) Even after abandoning the family home? The reason he did not file for divorce is he was hoping she would come back.

 

[anne17]

No. He didn't steal anything. He actually had no right to change the locks on the marital home.

The reason he changed the locks was his wife gave a key to the house to a woman working as an escort. He was concerned for his safety.

 

[Just Blue]

The reason he changed the locks was his wife gave a key to the house to a woman working as an escort. He was concerned for his safety.

Px Hx ....

Why don't you have Jr. join with his own user name and ask his own questions.

 

[anne17]

Px Hx ....

Why don't you have Jr. join with his own user name and ask his own questions.

She took his computer. He's 200 miles away.

 

[Ohiogal]

Thanks. So she had a right to take everything leaving him without even a spoon to eat from? (Isn't it marital property and owned by both?) Even after abandoning the family home? The reason he did not file for divorce is he was hoping she would come back.

She didn't abandon the family home. He screwed up and you, quite frankly, are overstepping.

 

[cbg]

If HER family bought everything, why do you believe she did not have a right to take it?

 

[CTU]

Losing his job due to being depressed was a choice that he made. I cannot feel much sympathy for someone that cannot pull themselves together enough to keep their livelihood.

Are you serious? Words. Fail.


You have clearly never suffered from clinical depression and frankly, I'm appalled and disgusted at your statement.

 

[Ohiogal]

Are you serious? Words. Fail.


You have clearly never suffered from clinical depression and frankly, I'm appalled and disgusted at your statement.

I concur with you. Wholeheartedly -- clinical depression is not something that ... LD, you are out of line. Completely and totally.