Aaaack! Oh no! Raven: Ok so last Thursday, I put in the application for legal aid...
I have to go through legal aid! I have no money! I have been a stay at home mom through basically the whole marriage...I don't have a job yet:(
Anyway, the lady from legal aid just called. She was asking me what my income is, and I told her that I have no personal income, and am basically relying on whatever my stbx decides he can give me for my bills, food, what have you.
So she wants numbers...I tried to give her numbers, but there just aren't any CONSISTENT ones.
Then she tells me that they are going to process it, and they will send me a letter to let me know whether or not it is approved. She then said that the county mainly only takes PRIORITY cases, so if I am not approved, they will refer me...
I asked what she meant by priority, and she told me that priority were abuse cases. Ok, well, I understand that, but shouldn't people with NO MONEY be somewhat of a priority too?
My stbx has NEVER been very good at keeping up his "end of the bargain"...I CANNOT count on him to come through for me financially...EVER...Its great if he does,but I just cant count on it.
I dont know what I am going to do if they turn me down. I dont want HIM to be the one to file...I dont want HIM to be the one with the lawyer....I am so afraid that if HE is the one to do it, I am going to get royally screwed.....
AAAAAAAACK!
Re:Aaaack! Oh no! incoherentlonghorn: I have walked through the shoes you are walking in right now, except I was "fortunate" enough to have the "priority" element.
I know the frustration of the uncertainty...of not knowing how long it will take, if you qualify, will the attorney be any good, will I have the upper hand.
It will work out and if I learned anything from this it is...although it seems huge, it is in fact out of your control and will work out in the long run. Not easy to hear and not easy to live...but if you try to let go even a little it might save you an ounce of stress.
Hang in there...its a circus,
LL
Re:Aaaack! Oh no! Raven: Thanks.
I keep feeling spurred to just get this over with...because my stbx keeps throwing his new girlfriend(aka my ex best friend) in my face.
I just want out...soon!
Re:Aaaack! Oh no! julietl66: Hi Raven,
I'm sorry for what you're going through. My s2bx took all our money, but at least I have a paycheck to rely on. I did have to borrow money for a retainer from my family. My atty filed a motion for my hubby to reimburse me for atty fees. Is it possible you can borrow from family or friends to get the process started?
If not, and you really want to be the one to file, you can do so without an atty. (At least you can here in CT)Maybe you could do that and then just let the legal aid atty take over the case?
Have you tried any internet searches for womens organizations in your area. You might find something that could point you to another form of assistance. Since you have a child, there must be some organization out there that assists with childrens rights since you're currently the custodial parent. I hope you find something that can help you get the help you need.
Julie
Re:Aaaack! Oh no! incoherentlonghorn: OOH and check with the courthouse, since I was unemployed when filing I filled out some form that waived the filing fee after approval. That may be another option to lessen the financial burden.
LL
