Need Help for a Friend

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2004
Need Help for a Friend
3
Tue, 02-21-2006 - 5:10pm

Hello, I am wondering if anyone can help me with a friend that is going through a divorce. We live in Canada and she has been separated for 2 1/2 years. She does not have the money for the divorce. Also he left her when he met someone on-line who lives in Chicago. He does pay her support, but it is coming from his parents. He hasnt paid a dime, mommy and daddy are paying the support. He at the moment comes into the house when ever he feels like and when she says something to him about it, he says its still my house (even though he left her and the 4 kids for another woman). Right now when mommy and daddy give him the money for support every month he only gives her what he feels is right and keeps the rest. He took a lower paying job, less hours so he can fly anytime he wants to Chicago to see his girlfriend. Also he is not paying for anything with regards to the kids sports, she pays for everything. She has a daycare.

What I would like to know is there something she can do to stop him from coming in and out of the house anytime he feels like, pay the correct amount of support. As I said she can not afford to divorce him, so wonder is there anything with regards to the law in Canada, that she can do divorce on her own (dont know if that makes sense). It just burns my britches when I hear what he is doing. But she also wants to keep it sane for the kids sake.

Thanks for your help

Avatar for momtojoeybear
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 02-21-2006 - 9:58pm

Hi...

I'm not familiar with Canadian laws so hopefully someone will chime in with that information, but in the states, they have Legal Aid, which provides low to no cost attorneys for those who cannot afford them--I wonder if they have such a program in Canada...

Is it possible for her to get wages garnished for support? Ugh, I wish I had more answers, but I truly don't know... is so nice of you to try to help your friend though...

*hugs*

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 02-23-2006 - 2:45pm

I would think that if he has a legitimate job and residence in another country, that she'd have every right to change the locks, even if it is the marital home.... he abandoned it.


Her best option is to schedule a consultation with an attorney to find out what her rights and responsibilities are.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2006
Thu, 02-23-2006 - 3:40pm

What province is she in? Legal Aid is available to low income individuals in every province. Also, check out your provincial gov't web site for a type of Legal Info. In NS we have the Legal Information Society and they are a weatlh of information - for free.

She also needs to have the support payments registered with Provincial Maintenance Enforcement, they will take care of making sure she gets her full support.

Good luck to her,
Trudy

 

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