Divorce issues - need advice

[Queen of Poop]

I absolutely agree with Karen. Your friend needs to see a lawyer NOW. The lawyer can advise her on what she can legally do and what her rights are.

[lv4dogs]

I agree with everyone else. I hope she finds & gets the help she needs.

[Cataholic]

I have a saying, "pay me now or pay me later"...in which I mean either pay up NOW to get decent representation, or, pay me later when you want me to dig you out from your huge mess. Usually, it is cheaper to pay for the right work, now, then, emergency work later.

An experienced divorce attorney, of which I am not, will be able to sort through this, and advise your friend appropriately. In connection with a good, professional counselor, your friend will make it through.

[wolfsoul]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The problem is, she won't even go meet a lawyer unless she knows she can get through the divorce without losing her stuff. She doesn't actually WANT to leave him, so she doesn't have alot of motivation, just alot of uncertainty. She's been going it over in her head for over a year and as unhappy as she is, she stays...She just doesn't want to lose everything. If I can somehow show her that she won't, then maybe she will go see a lawyer.

[Karen]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The problem is, she won't even go meet a lawyer unless she knows she can get through the divorce without losing her stuff.

Only a lawyer will be able to tell her this. Talking to a lawyer does not mean that she'd be starting the divorce proceedings, rather that she should be meeting with one to protect her assets in the first place, and make sure her business stays as her business. She should do this now, in case HE starts proceedings.