Spouse left. What are financial obligations?

[wt817]

What is the name of your state? Florida

I've been married three years. My husband came here on a K1 Visa. We own no property, but rent a house which we've fullfilled the lease agreement and now are on a month to month. Only we have yet to sign for that month to month, as the lease just expired. I gave him the owner's choices - one year, six months or a year. At that time he said month to month would be best. That was the same day he told me he is filing for divorce (2 weeks ago).

I am a few illnesses that keep me from working. I have not worked in over a year. We make do on husband's salary.

Only now he's left the house (comes back on work nights which are 2-3 weekly). He had told me he was going to fix my car today. Now he won't. I need medical tests that I don't have the means to pay for. I need groceries and gas money and now he tells me to take the car to the mechanic. I have no money. He told me unless I draw up and sign a separation agreement he will not sign the month to month lease (in both our names). *We have always had separate banks accounts.

My question is what are his financial obligations at this point? No papers have been filed. What are my rights financially at this point?

TIA.

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state? Florida

I've been married three years. My husband came here on a K1 Visa. We own no property, but rent a house which we've fullfilled the lease agreement and now are on a month to month. Only we have yet to sign for that month to month, as the lease just expired. I gave him the owner's choices - one year, six months or a year. At that time he said month to month would be best. That was the same day he told me he is filing for divorce (2 weeks ago).

I am a few illnesses that keep me from working. I have not worked in over a year. We make do on husband's salary.

Only now he's left the house (comes back on work nights which are 2-3 weekly). He had told me he was going to fix my car today. Now he won't. I need medical tests that I don't have the means to pay for. I need groceries and gas money and now he tells me to take the car to the mechanic. I have no money. He told me unless I draw up and sign a separation agreement he will not sign the month to month lease (in both our names). *We have always had separate banks accounts.

My question is what are his financial obligations at this point? No papers have been filed. What are my rights financially at this point?

TIA.

Have you applied to disability? You may find that he will not be supporting you. You will also need to apply for state aid such as food stamps and such. You haven't been married very long and spousal support is never a guarantee.

 

[t74]

You file for divorce before he does and ask for support while it is pending. It is not guaranteed to be granted. You need an attorney. Sometimes one spouse is required to pay all of the legal fees. Do NOT share an attorney.

Many states have a rehabilitation service agency which assists disabled individuals in obtaing jobs which they are physically/mentally able to perform. Look for it and take advantage of their services

 

[not2cleverRed]

Have you applied to disability? You may find that he will not be supporting you. You will also need to apply for state aid such as food stamps and such. You haven't been married very long and spousal support is never a guarantee.

Also, given that the husband came her on a K1 visa, there may be some other issues.

I am not understanding the talk of signing a month-to-month lease. Don't you just get a month-to-month lease automatically when you fail to renew/sign a (longer term) lease?

I think OP needs to accept that there will be a divorce, and the husband won't be pleasant, and follow t's advice.

 

[wt817]

Thank you for your answers. I think I fudged up on the signing of the 30 day lease. Landlord asked me if I wanted her to send over that amended deal for our signatures. I told her yes. So my hope is to just not return in it and she will indeed treat it as an automatic month-to-month.

Not2cleverRed, can you tell me more on what the other issues might be?

Ohiogal, I have filed for disability. I read up about food stamps, but they said it is a household income decision. Given that his name is on the lease here, I wouldn't imagine that's a possibility right now. And that's kind of what I'm wondering....how am I gonna eat tomorrow or pay the doctors fees next week -- those kind of things.

Again, my thanks and I am looking into an attorney.

 

[Zigner]

He's moved out - he's not part of the household.

As to the lease - a "30 day lease" is a "month-to-month". Potato-Potato.

 

[wt817]

He hasn't moved out. His things are still here. He comes home 3 nights a week (when he's working the next day).

And i understand the terms 30 day lease and month-to-month are interchangeable. That's probably why I used on term in my initial posting and another on my response above.