My friend is seperated and lives in Md. His wife moved out 5 months ago and has her own place now. She has her attorney and he is still waiting to see one for him. Anyways.. the wife keeps coming to the house whenever she wants and goes through all of his stuff, takes what she wants and tells him there isnt a thing he can do about it since her name is still on the house. He pays all the bills there so why should she be able to come in whenever and do and take what she wants. She says that her lawyer told her that he cant even change the locks. I dont think this is fair for him. Can anything be done to her for this? She has taken some of his important papers.. When she comes by he is not there..Please help....
2007-01-15 17:33:56 · 16 answers · asked by momof3isme 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
He cant see a lawyer for 2 more weeks. He also has the kids living with him. i feel its his house he can change the locks if he wants and she shouldnt be able to do anything about it..
2007-01-15 17:40:59 · update #1
He had a safe deposit box and she broke it and took the papers out..
2007-01-15 17:48:57 · update #2
If her name is on the lease or deed she has every right to comeand go. He needs to see an attn immediately to protect himself and his belongings.
2007-01-15 17:37:49 · answer #1 · answered by jeanniev01 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would guess that each state would have its own laws in situations like this, but I was told the same thing.
When my ex moved out, I was told that I couldn't change the locks either. So I installed a nanny cam and hid the vcr. That way I could sorta keep track of what he was taking while I gone.
Also since I saw what was happening from the beginning, I took some of the important documents and scanned them into the computer so at least I would have a copy of them.
I know that this information may be too late for your friend, but maybe it might help someone else.
2007-01-15 18:17:35 · answer #2 · answered by Dippy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legally they are not divorced yet so she can take what she wants out of the house. Have him change the locks, she did move out after all. He can say that the last time she left the house was left opened. Have him make a list of all the things she has taken and what she has broken. Or he can also call the police and make a report of all the items missing. It sounds like he dodged a bullet with her and this divorce
2007-01-15 18:10:18 · answer #3 · answered by I hate stupid ppl like you 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Change the locks. If she moved out and has a primary residence then he can change the locks. If she needs something from the house then he can be there when she gets it. It would be wise to also have a friend or neighbor there as well as a witness so that everyone stays cool with one and other.
2007-01-15 17:56:04 · answer #4 · answered by Julie c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, he can not change the locks but he can have his lawyer enter a motion to stop her from taking things out of the house.
As for her coming in and taking his important papers he has to use some common sense Tell him to. take all HIS important papers and put them in a safe deposit box.
2007-01-15 17:47:43 · answer #5 · answered by d b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first question is...has anyone filed the actual complaint for divorce? If she has, she should know that legally she is not allowed to do this. If no one has filed, tell your friend to change the darn locks anyway. He needs to go to the post office and have all her mail forwarded to her new address ASAP. That way, if he does change the locks and she breaks in to the house...technically she no longer lives there if her mail is not coming there.
2007-01-16 03:00:46 · answer #6 · answered by stacilynn26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he has every right to change the lock on the house, if she is stealing papers and things that aren't hers then he needs to call the police...tell him to do this asap and if there is any questions between the lawyers then tell them its for the saftey of him and the children....he needs to get a record of everything that has been taken and pictures but he also needs to beable to prove it was her....of course she comes by when he's not there because she knows that what she is doing is wrong...right now he needs to run down to home depot and get new locks....don't listen to what SHE said her lawyer said because chances are her lawyer didn't say anything of the sort but when it comes to the law then we get scared....its for the saftey of him and his children and i think that comes WAY before the needs of the psyco ex
2007-01-15 17:59:44 · answer #7 · answered by buschchick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer's advise, change the locks 1st, there is not a single rule which stated that she can do so, just change the lock. And cut off all connection with this women, this lady is sheer hell to be with, yeah, going into people's house without permission, whats next, telling him that since he is still leagally her husband, is ok to rape him....? Yucks ,
2007-01-15 17:44:16 · answer #8 · answered by jade s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should remove anything from the house of value that he doesn't want her to take, i.e. important papers, pictures, money, jewelry. There should be something he can do in the mean time. I suggest he get on the phone with the attorney since he hasn't see him/her yet, or check with the local police to see what his rights are.
2007-01-15 17:43:03 · answer #9 · answered by Proud to be 59 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is BS, she chose to leave and therefore that does not give her the right to come and go as she pleases. She may be doing so because he doesn't have a lawyer yet. So she is going to get away with as much as she can until he gets a lawyer and knows then that she is breaking the law. If he can't afford a lawyer have him contact legal aide. I am from MD, and I know they have free legal advice.
2007-01-15 17:42:23 · answer #10 · answered by tamlovinlife2 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He should change the locks.. I do not know about MD law but they are legally separated. Let her challenge this..he will have his day in court also!
2007-01-15 17:38:52 · answer #11 · answered by worldsource19 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋