Husband Opened Mail Addressed to Me and Another Person and Refuses to Let Me See

He can't take your kids from you. This all a part of the domestic violence cycle. What he did was a federal offense, tampering with the U. S. Mail is a Federal offense. You can call the post office and they can send the Federal Authorities such as a Mail Inspector or the FBI. I'm not kidding here.
Look for a domestic violence shelter near you and get your ducks in a row and leave him. Talk to friends and seek help. You may have to store things at friends houses until you can find an apartment. Depending upon circumstances Section 8 can take years, in some areas the waiting list is 3-4 yrs long.
The good thing is at this time of year many places are hiring for the holidays and many of these jobs roll over to permenant.

Remember half of everything you own as a couple is YOURS no matter what he says. Half of all money in a joint account, half of the value of your home ect are yours. Don't let him bully you out of what is yours.

option 1: change the address on the account to your girlfriend's address or get a p.o. box.

option 2: contact the police or the post office since what he did is a felony.

if you go with option 2 then he might get arrested and you won't have to leave.

you do have places to go...it's just that no one wants to have to utilize them. shelters are an option. file for section 8 housing if you can't afford an apartment and get a divorce lawyer (mine is efficient and not overpriced). I have a good one of you need one. having a separate bank account won't cause you to lose your kids unless there is some illegal activity tied to the account.
also check out the ymca for housing options, at least temporarily. do not do anything without talking to a lawyer. leaving the house can be deemed abandonment and you could lose any right to the house.

another thing I just thought of...since he has hit you, file an order of protection and see if the judge will make him leave the house.

you have options, it is just a matter of figuring out which will work for you.

First of all, I'd put the money in a new account and then go online and select the "turn off paper" option. Then you will never get a statement by mail. Also, he wont be tempted to take any money out if it's a new account.

Why is your friend on it? I find that odd. Get your own account and manage your own money.

I'm glad that you had him arrested. He will never get those kids with that on file. Get a job, babysit some kids, go back to school, do what you have to do to get out.

I'm sorry for what you're going through. A women's shelter is your best bet. There is a good one in Schaumburg called WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger). Here is their website: http://wingsprogram.com.

I'm not sure where you are, but if you are in the Chicago suburbs you can contact the Community Crisis Center in Elgin. Their number is ###-###-#### or the website is www.crisiscenter.org. They are a wonderful organization who assist women that face the same obstacles as you.

I agree with the other posters - you need to get to a domestic violence shelter. As for the bank statement, call the bank and change the mailing address. There is nothing he can do about that money. Also, if IL is a community property state, you can go to the bank and take 1/2 of all money in your joint account. You are entitled to your 1/2 share.

Sorry you are going through this, but you do need to get out. If your boys continue to live in that environment, they are going to end up being husbands like your husband is. I'm sure you don't want your boys treating anyone the way you are being treated.

Good luck!

Go to a domestic violence shelter

If you are still legally married to a person, they can open your mail and have complete legal access to any accounts you have- even those in your maiden name, etc. He can also sign your name to any document and it is not forgery.

If you truly want to have a separate account from him, it's not going to happen without him having access to it.

I know this because I lived it, and none of the "mail tampering" or forgery, etc. stands up in court. Drain the account, hide the cash with a friend he doesn't know, and get yourself and your kids to a shelter NOW.