$ woes got me stuck

[BOOP]

My husband moved out about 8 months ago...long story.  We have two children under the age of six.  We decided I would be a stay at home mom, so I haven't worked in five years.  Managing finances has always been a problem for him and an area he refused to discuss.  Regardless, I am totally dependent on his income (direct deposit) which barely covers home expenses....meanwhile, he is drumming up serious serious debt.  We have no shared credit cards (anymore)  just the house in both our names.  I am at the point of having him court ordered to pay child support and alimony.  But, he will continue to charge his lifestyle.  By the way, he does have a second source of income which he decided he would use to finance his desires/wants.

I am worried that I will lose the house because of his reckless spending.  Is there any way to insulate myself against this?  We haven't discussed divorce, but he doesn't want to discuss anything so I don't see an alternative path in our case.

Thanks for your help.

[Sharon]

I would at least talk to an attorney.  It doesn't hurt to know your rights. 

[Lee Borden]

In most states, you don't have to file for divorce to get support. Talk to your lawyer about filing for a legal separation and asking for temporary orders giving you custody of the house and kids, child support and spousal support, and health insurance. That could become a divorce filing later on, but you don't need to declare that now. You can't control what he does with his money any more than he can control what you do with yours. If he's going to make foolish decisions, that's his prerogative and his problem. You just need to make sure you have the appropriate support in place for yourself and your children.

[Jade]

My husband moved out about 8 months ago...long story.  We have two children under the age of six.  We decided I would be a stay at home mom, so I haven't worked in five years.  Managing finances has always been a problem for him and an area he refused to discuss.  Regardless, I am totally dependent on his income (direct deposit) which barely covers home expenses....meanwhile, he is drumming up serious serious debt.  We have no shared credit cards (anymore)  just the house in both our names.  I am at the point of having him court ordered to pay child support and alimony.  But, he will continue to charge his lifestyle.  By the way, he does have a second source of income which he decided he would use to finance his desires/wants.

I am worried that I will lose the house because of his reckless spending.  Is there any way to insulate myself against this?  We haven't discussed divorce, but he doesn't want to discuss anything so I don't see an alternative path in our case.

Thanks for your help.

I filed for divorce last November.  There is a consent order that states he is to pay support.  You can file a motion to get temporary support established and taken directly out of his paycheck.  This way he can't just arbitrarily change the amount and you have something to depend on.  Good luck.