Los Angeles, CA asked in Family Law and Divorce for California

Q: What actions can I take against my ex wife for leaving me on the streets, broke, homeless after 20 yrs in a relationship

I supported her and our three children for 20 years,when she didn't even work for most part of the relationship.she started working towards the end of the relationship and I lost my job and she took over all responsibilities financially.shortly after I lost my job.she said she no longer wanted anything from me and left me on the streets.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: In your situation, where you find yourself facing financial hardship and homelessness after a long-term relationship, there are several steps you can take under California family law.

First, consider filing for spousal support. Given the length of your relationship and the fact that you were the primary earner for most of it, you may be eligible for spousal support, especially if your ex-wife is now financially stable.

You should also explore the possibility of property division. If you were married or in a domestic partnership, you may have rights to a portion of the assets accumulated during the relationship, including any income your ex-wife earned.

Additionally, if you have children together, you should look into child custody and child support arrangements. Even if you are currently facing financial difficulties, you have the right to maintain a relationship with your children.

It’s crucial to gather all relevant financial documents, including proof of your income, your ex-wife’s income, and any major expenses or assets. This information will be important in any legal proceedings.

Given the complexities of family law, it’s advisable to seek legal representation. A lawyer can guide you through the process, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you pursue all available legal remedies.

Lastly, while addressing these legal matters, don’t neglect your immediate needs. Reach out to local resources for housing and financial assistance to help stabilize your situation as you navigate this challenging time.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.