'Sneaky' Divorce

[Sunflowerbc]

I need answers for my Sister. Her husband of 25 yrs told her he wants out & her & the kids to leave. They live in Alberta & I don't think that he can just toss her out. They both own the house. She never worked but just raised the kids so I guess he feels entitled to everything! She has noticed that he has been withdrawing $500.00 here & there & she thinks he is hiding it. She doesn't have any experience in the working world or much of life outside of the home because he did everything. I don't think she can afford a lawyer as he controls all of the income & I'm not sure how she could apply for Legal Aid in Alberta as they probably base it on the household income! She's totally cornered & helpless & I want to help somehow. I can't financially myself because I have been taking care of our mother for the last 10 years & just work work work to keep us goin. I thought I would try this & pray that someone with this knowledge & what she should do could tell me. When it comes to our family it sure hits home & my stomach has been in knots for days. I live in BC & can't be there for her but I can only offer my words of strength & boy does she need that now. I am years younger than her & have been out there since I was 15 taking care of myself & mom but my Sis has never had to fend for a day. She's like a lost deer in the headlights.
Please help if you can tell me what to tell her.
Thankyou anyone..... Shawna

[Romanice]

Get a lawyer yesterday. It doesnt matter that she cant afford it believe me the lawyer will find the money and then some, the lawyers not worried believe me. Your ex-husband to be (scum bag) probably has money stached away. It really doesnt matter too much that he is taking money out of the account, it will come out of his half anyway. Tell her to stay in the house and kick him out, a judge would give the house to her, she needs it to raise the kids plus once you're out it is hard to make him sell it to retrieve your half. A judge will also give her child support and alimoney payments from the scum bag. You are entitled to half, while he was working you raised his kids, thats not worth anything? Its time to bring out your offensive line, a lawyer. Its weird that I am saying this being a male that went through a divorce. I let my ex have the house because of the kids (even though it was my dream home) and even though we both had lawyers we were still talking to each other behind the scenes. In fact her lawyer told her I probably had money hidden and I very sincerely told her, even though I shouldn't be giving her advise that I had none and that her lawyer was just costing her money, I was truthful and she listened and we are good friends today. But please get a lawyer NOW

[JL3260]

I agree. Your sister needs to see a lawyer immediately. The toughest, meanest she can find. Please note the first 30 minute consultation is usually free. Tell her she is not helpless, she does have options.
She should definitely NOT move out.