My husband and I have agreed to get a divorce, what are my next steps?

Question

We are both very poor and he does not want to have contact with our kids and wont be paying child support. He was very physically abusive to all of us. We have no assests. We live in Michigan which is a "no-fault" state. I do not know he whereabouts, so I am unable to get him to sign any papers. Any advice?

Answer 1

I think that it is a good thing for you to leave the relationship, and he should be paying support for his children even if he doesn't deserve to see them. I will say a prayer for you and your children.

Answer 2

When my husband deserted me I went to the library and checked out the book "How to do your own divorce in Texas." I wrote my own divorce from the book. It tells you everything and they probably have one just for Michigan.

Then I wrote a statement that I was very poor, a Pauper's Oath, and couldn't afford an attorney or court costs. I went up in front of the judge and got my divorce for free, including recording fees for the papers I had filed.

It also involves putting a small add in the newspaper if you don't know his whereabouts and he can't be served.

It may be more complicated since you have kids, but it can be done if you're determined enough. Good Luck!.....)(

Answer 3

Strike while the iron is hot. Get it done before he changes his mind. Talk to a lawyer. Tell him your situation. Ask if there is some Pro Bono available for you. Pro Bono is free attorney work for the good of the people. Since there won't be complications that both sides may disagree upon, it should be easy.

I'd put in some standard visitation rights for him, so he can change his mind about it. Maybe supervised visitation since you mentioned abuse.

Don't worry about finding him. The lawyer can help you. I think the court system finds him and serves the papers. I'm not sure, check with the lawyer. You may need to provide whatever you know about his family's location, jobs he had, or may have now to help them find him.

Good Luck
Go get you some Pro Bono!

Answer 4

Find a low-cost attorney for what should be a low-cost divorce except for the unknown whereabouts part. You will want to be SURE that the divorce is effective and final, even if the divorce is all that you want from him. Some day you may find Mr. Right and you do not want a previous marriage and questionable divorce standing in your way. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Hi there

I have been in an abusive marriage before and "lost" one of my children because of it... He seen so much drama that i decided to give him a better Life and had an open adoption..It was the best thing to do for him at the time..I had no money as well and nowhere to go..Talk to someone at a church or call a Lawyer or a Shelter that helps abused Ladies they will guide you in the right direction.. And most of all keep praying and God will show you the way... Good Luck!!

Answer 6

The only thing you can do is get a lawyer. There are ones that will work divorces for free, so look in your yellow pages. If you want child support from him, the lawyer can help. And if not, you still need one to get him to sign and to make it all legal. Good Luck!

Answer 7

just wait until your husband has been absent for whatever amount of time that would legally alowe you to get a divorce without his signeture. and call the police and have a no contact order put in place...... He still has to pay support even if he doesn't see the kids now or ever. If he was to get a job you would be able to make him pay support .

Answer 8

Get "Divorce for Dummies". The book covers all the basics and will help you sort out all the issues about the necessary steps. They may have it at your local library. If you are embarassed about checking this book out or buying it at a bookstore you can order it from Amazon.com. If you don't have internet access, you can use the internet at the public library. Good luck to you, your husband, and your kids.

Answer 9

Go to your local court and get a restraining order first of all - abuse is abuse. If not for yourself, for your children. Next talk to someone in the court to find out what papers you need to file to protect yourself and get the divorce going. Also ask if there are any agencies that can provide pro-bono work (fee of charge). Gather and get all the information you can - get things in writing! Good Luck to you.

Answer 10

GO TO THE FAMILY COURT AND BOOK A CASE AGAINST YOUR HUSBAND AND SEND THE LETTER TO THE ADDRESS WHERE YOU ARE LIVING. THIS SHOULD BE DONE THROUGH A LAWYER OF COURSE.THE FAMILY COURT JUDGE WILL SEND THE NOTICE FOR HIM TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT ON CERTAIN DATE AND THIS FELLOW IS NOT AVAILABLE YOU KNOW THAT VERY WELL AFTER DUE DATE OF THE POSTAL THE NOTICE WILL; GO RETURNED TO THE FAMILY COURT NOT SIGNED BY THIS FELLOW .AGAIN ASK THE LAWYER THAT WHAT TO DO NOW? HE WILL DEFINITELY GIVE A DATE FOR HIM AGAIN TO APPEAR IN THE COURT.YOU TELL THE LAWYER THAT YOU DO NOT WANT ANY COMPENSATION FOR YOU TO LIVE AND HE WILL BOOK THE CASE ACCORDINGLY. STATE ALL SORTS OF HARASSMENT'S HE DOES TO YOU . SINCE THE FELLOW DOES NOT APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT ASK THE COURT TO PUBLISH IT IN THE LOCAL NEWS PAPER ASKING THIS FELLOW TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT. HE WILL NOT COME THEN THE SAID DATE THE JUDGMENT WOULD BE PASSED IN FAVOR OF YOU ON EX PARTY DECISION.
THIS FELLOW HAS TO APPEAL BEFORE THE COURT WITH IN 90 DAYS AFTER THE JUDGMENT. THERE ALSO HE WILL FAIL.THEN THE CASE CANNOT BE TAKEN UP FOR HIGHER COURTS ALSO .THE DIVORCE WOULD BE GRANTED TO YOU AND YOU KEEP ALL THE PAPERS SAFE.
THAT IS ALL.

Answer 11

wow I don't know what to tell you other than you may have to try to track this deadbeat down.

You will need help. I am sorry for you. See an attorney. I donot believe he can just walk away from his children like that. He will have to pay child support, no matter how poor you are or he is. Get help quick!!!