I have just parted ways with me husband of 5 yrs. It was never really a good marriage kinda doomed from the start. Now his family has offered him their bottemless piggy bank to pay for his lawyer mean while I dont have any exter money and he's not paying me any child support. I need a lawyer and dont know where to begain. It any one can offer there advice of what to do please write me back.
A. M. I have a children's book critique that meets on the last Sun. afternoon of the month at 3 if interested. My e-nail is ____@____.com. A. C.
A., I work for the AG's office, child support and yes, that is your first stop..you can get an application online or pick up one at any office of call and we can send one.
Then, yes, call Legal Aid; if you can't find the number the AG's office can provide it.
Good luck.
Hi A.,
I am a family law attorney in Fort Worth. Please give me a call at ###-###-#### and I'll see what can be done. Just say you found me on mamasource.
J.
If he is not paying any child support call the attorney general's office immediately and also apply for things like food stamps. I know if you are used to taking care of yourself that may be a hard pill to swallow but if you are getting any government services, the attorney general's office will handle your case for free.
Also, go to the Tarrant County Courthouse, off the top of my head I don't know the exact address, it is right next door to the place downtown where you get your tags renewed. They have a book in their law library that shows you the whole format for filing for divorce, custody and child support. I did my own divorce years ago, no lawyer, but it was a simple divorce. I filed for divorce 4 years ago and it is a long story why we are still legally married but in the meantime I am better of tax wise, I am on his medical insurance, and I am accuring more money into my retirement checks.
Anywho. You can do all of the paperwork and save the lawyer for just representing you in court. We got custody of my stepson when he was 16. I filed all the paperwork saving us probably at least a grand. I also recently put together my stepson's divorce filing (he is now 29).
In the state of Texas, your X is required to provide 25% of his income to your children, period. He is also required to provide medical insurance, pay all or half of doctor's co-pays, dentists, counseling, anything that your child needs. Doesn't matter how much money his family has and he would have to prove that you are unfit and this usually means that you are a junky and even then, the courts tend to tell you to get treatment. Feel free to e-mail me, don't let him or the system scare you. To be honest, you are lucky you are a woman, the system treats women much better than men; as I have been on both sides of this issue.
The child support and custody statutes are available online, read them. Even if you get a lawyer, YOU need to know the law so that you know you are being represented well. If your lawyer doesn't bring up something in court that he/she should, you bring it up.
Years ago my X was in a paternity suit with his x-girlfriend. She was driving a car he had paid for. It states in the statutes that if one party provided the other with a vehicle that should be taken into consideration when calculating child support. The lawyer refused to bring it to the attention of the judge, and my X was too afraid of the whole process despite being like 35, and I was young and not officially a party to the suit so I sat mute as well. I also know someone that does the e-bay thing so if you are interested I can hook you up and she can tell you the tricks she has learned.
A. - We waive the consultation fee for our mamasource moms. We'll get you to the right place. Call the office to set a time with one of our lawyers. J. D. ###-###-####; www.dsclawfirm.com
I would try Legal Aid or West Texas Legal Services. You have to qualify and meet a certain income requirement. Not sure what your income is with your work. You go and apply, there may be something online for them also. The court can appoint you an attorney, if you can't afford one, if you aren't working. You can go to the Law Library and do research and be your own attorney. However, I wouldn't advise this. I would get an attorney and rely on their expertise.
If you don't meet their qualifications, then contact some of the attorneys from Mamasource. I know of an atty also, however I'm not sure how much of a discount he can give you. If you would like his name, let me know and I can get it for you. Is there any family that can help you out on the expense of getting an attorney?
I'm sorry to hear about your divorce.
Dear A.,
My friend used this lawyer, Morgan Burkhart ###-###-####. She said he was very good and sensitive to her problems. Good Luck and God Bless!
You can look up pro bono lawyers in your area.
I usually try to google "help in texas", look up info on the DHHS site, or google "pro bono lawyers in texas". I'm sure if you called a lawyer's office, they may also be able to direct you to the appropriate lawyers.
Here are some links I found to help you get started:
http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&so...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=single+mom+in+te...
Call Legal Aid. They may be able to help. They may be able to even offer some advice or referrals, too.
