[rainorshine]

My husband filed for divorce in June. He's asking for full physical custody of our 2 kids AFTER the divorce is finalized. He has an attorney but I can't afford one. I've called Legal Aid and they only represent criminal cases in court, not family law. I called the bar association with no luck there either.

I have no money for a retainer fee. I have no family so I can't borrow money from a relative. I just went back to work after being laid off in April. There is no court ordered child support and he hasn't given me a penny to help raise our kids since April.

Does anyone know of an attorney that will help me fight for my kids? I'm getting a decent sum of money in October but our court date is Sept 22nd and I desperately need to have an attorney by then. I'm even willing to put my truck up as collateral. I can make small monthly payments but ultimately I would like an order put in for him to pay my attorney fee's, since ultimately he is the one that filed for divorce.

I'm in Macomb county, so an attorney who practices there and knows the judges well (foster) would be ideal.

Please help...I don't want to lose my kids just because I can't afford an attorney and he has a sneaky one.

[Wingnatic]

'' There is no court ordered child support and he hasn't given me a penny to help raise our kids since April. ''

Does this mean he hasn't live with you and your children since then ? If so , thats not a good way to show the court your responsible enough for full custody .
You should call legal aid again and ask for a referral for an attorney . They should be happy to give you that . You should NOT show up for court without one . When I was divorced , I paid her attorney fee's and she filed . It wouldn't hurt to have a sit down with a lawyer and see if the court will make him pay your lawyers fee's . If you have the kids living with you , a lawyer can have a support order filed right now . If his lawyer was so smart , he would have advised him to continue helping out with his childrens expenses . Good Luck to you , get that lawyer no matter what .

[Cliffie]

In my county the Legal Aid atty did divorces only, but she retired (or, I suspect, dropped dead of exhaustion) and has never been replaced. In my area we use Divorce Attorneys for Women ; in Pontiac there's the Women's Survival Center which you can reach at (248) 338-4488. Contact your local Bar Association and/or battered women's shelter to get referrals. In Macomb that would be Turning Point, (586) 463-6990.

Buck up -- although the partner who files first has a certain advantage, the partner actually caring for the children is most likely to keep them unless there's a strong case to show neglect or abuse -- in which case, why did he leave them with you?

[jiminnm]

You must get a lawyer. Contact the Macomb Bar Assn. referral service. Macomb County Bar Association: LRS Need a Lawyer

Wignatic is correct. Your husband should be required to pay support and may be required to pay your attorney fees.

[tjay]

i hope you get to keep your kids....

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by rainorshine

My husband filed for divorce in June. He's asking for full physical custody of our 2 kids AFTER the divorce is finalized. He has an attorney but I can't afford one. I've called Legal Aid and they only represent criminal cases in court, not family law. I called the bar association with no luck there either.

I have no money for a retainer fee. I have no family so I can't borrow money from a relative. I just went back to work after being laid off in April. There is no court ordered child support and he hasn't given me a penny to help raise our kids since April.

Does anyone know of an attorney that will help me fight for my kids? I'm getting a decent sum of money in October but our court date is Sept 22nd and I desperately need to have an attorney by then. I'm even willing to put my truck up as collateral. I can make small monthly payments but ultimately I would like an order put in for him to pay my attorney fee's, since ultimately he is the one that filed for divorce.

I'm in Macomb county, so an attorney who practices there and knows the judges well (foster) would be ideal.

Please help...I don't want to lose my kids just because I can't afford an attorney and he has a sneaky one.

When I first read your post I did feel bad for you. Then I saw you listed your town as Craptastic, Michigan. I like my state. If you do not, bye-bye.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by Driller1

When I first read your post I did feel bad for you. Then I saw you listed your town as Craptastic, Michigan. I like my state. If you do not, bye-bye.

Well, not every corner of the state is equally appealing, you know!

[talbet]

Driller1 that is about ignorant.

[talbet]

Driller, did your mother never teach you that if you had nothing useful to say keep your mouth shut? You must have missed that day.

[tjay]

agreed that was rude. someone is going through a hard time and all you can do is insult them because they might not like the state you live in? hello.