I just got off the phone with a friend of mine from my teen-age years and who reads CQ on a regular basis. Unfortunately, she has had to start divorce proceedings, but has no representation. Her husband won’t pay support for their several children unless she asks him for it, and she’s had to go on public assistance in the meantime. Hopefully, one or more of our CQ friends in Utah can give her a hand in accessing legal resources in Utah so that she can make sure she protects her interests and the interests of her children.
Please e-mail me anything I can forward to her, with the subject line, “Legal assistance”. She can also use your prayers, and thanks in advance for either.
12 thoughts on “Legal Bleg”
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Child support is just alimony with a different name. The children should go to the parent best able to support them, not always to the woman.
RA is correct, sort of. Children should be placed in the situation that is most conducive to their overall well being, whether that be with the mother, the father or someone else. Children are not property and should not be bargained over. They are human beings that are not able to provide for their own welfare, and thus depend on the sound judgment of adults. That said; if the children are in the custody of one parent, the other should be helping to support them, no matter which one is in which position.
I don’t know of a Utah legal aid source, but I’ll offer the prayers requested.
http://www.divorcenet.com/states/utah
http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/states/utah/utah.htm
http://www.legalzoom.com/divorcepage/
I am using legalzoom.com for divorce after 23 years of marriage. It can save her and her soon to be ex alot of money. I do believe that divorce usually favors the women, especially where I live. I hope and pray things work out ok for them. I am curious though, why are the children with her instead of him? I also wonder who was the unfaithful party in this relationship?
Just FYI, so the speculation doesn’t get too rampant:
1. It wasn’t a case of infidelity.
2. There are good reasons why the children are with their mother, at least for now, although I agree with the general principle that custody should go to the parent most suited for it, regardless of gender.
3. Issues of support and custody will need to get worked out by the court, which is why she needs to get effective representation. The court can determine what’s in the best interest of the children.
The good wishes and prayers are much appreciated.
Capt. here in Utah we do have legal aid, but they do not handle divorces. Depending on what city she is in, will also tell where the best free advice comes from. There are lawyers out here that can help her. If this young lady is active in any church out here, thats the best place to go first. Most of them have a vast number of resources to draw from. Hope this helps.
Ed, I think of myself as being a moderate progressive and I disagree with you on some key issues – but I wanted you to know that I love your show.
Dante
Jeeze I want to do a rant about how dads get shafted in the court system but when kids come in the picture that is what dad is for. He is the guy that eats sandwiches so you can eat steak and eggs. That is the dads job.
Dear Cap’n Ed:
You could also suggest she contact her local law school in Utah. Usually they will have a Civil Practice clinic where they assist indigent clients to get through these things. I myself assisted a couple individuals through their divorce at the UofMN Law School under the supervision of eminently qualified attorney-practitioners. Otherwise, she can contact the Utah Pro Bono network and they can help her out.
http://www.utahbar.org/public/
What do you mean he won’t pay child support until she asks? Post that s–thead’s name and denounce him publicly for being less than a man! I’m sick and tired of hearing about this kind of crap. If he doesn’t want to give the money to her he can set up little trust accounts so that he can monitor the money, but he needs to do it without being asked.
As Devil-Dog-Dan says, “What that boy needs is a sound, natural -ss-whoopin!
Skywatch, I hope you don’t mind if I spread that quote about what being a real father is. It gave me this overwhelmingly good feeling that there are still noble people out there.
Skywatch,
I could yell at you, but what would be the point? I have two stupid step sons, both with children they refuse to support. Why won’t they give the mothers any money? They say “that b***h will only spend it on her self”. I try to explain to them, that even if she only “spent it on herself” they need to remember that every dime SHE makes goes for food, shelter, clothes, etc., etc,.
Sue
Sue
Skywatch,
I could yell at you, but what would be the point? I have two stupid step sons, both with children they refuse to support. Why won’t they give the mothers any money? They say “that b***h will only spend it on her self”. I try to explain to them, that even if she only “spent it on herself” they need to remember that every dime SHE makes goes for food, shelter, clothes, etc., etc,.
Sue
Sue