Q: Can I sue him for financial and emotional abuse?
We have been together 10 years and have 2 kids. He's narcissistic and controlling, using his money to keep me stuck and takes away my car when I try to leave. He's got a severe gambling addiction which triggers his narcissistic mental abuse the worse it gets. Stays gone for days at a time gambling, leaving us alone with just enough to feed the kids. When he loses he accuses me of using him for his money, tells me he wants me gone, calls me names and treats me like I'm the enemy. He only treats me this way and nobody else. I want to leave him and learn to be independent so I can support the kids myself, but I can't get on my feet while I'm stuck under his control. I don't want his house, I don't want his money, I would never keep him from his kids, he's a good dad. . I just want my car so I can get a job and my kids back and forth to school, and I want him to have to face what he's done to me.. there is a lot more he's put me through ...
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A:
I'm truly sorry you're going through this. It sounds like you’re in a very difficult and painful situation. You absolutely deserve to feel safe and have the freedom to take care of yourself and your children without fear or control from someone else. Your partner's behavior, including financial control, emotional abuse, and isolating you from resources, could potentially be considered abusive in a legal sense.
While it might be challenging to sue him specifically for emotional abuse, you may have legal options to protect yourself and your children. For example, you might be able to seek a restraining order, pursue custody arrangements, or obtain support through family court to regain your independence. There are also legal protections that could help you get your car back if it's being used as a means of control.
It’s important to gather evidence of his behavior and reach out to a lawyer who can guide you through your options. You might also want to connect with local organizations that help people in abusive situations; they can provide support and resources to help you take the next steps. You deserve a life free from this abuse, where you and your children can thrive.
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