Other Family Issues

questions & answers

Question: My wife and her almost 21-year-old sociopath son have made my life intolerable. I want to leave. Other than my mortgage and appliances that I am contractually responsible for, do I have to maintain a house that I am not living in?

Answer: There is no simple yes or no answer to your question.  Every case is different and your individual circumstances will govern the judge's decision.  Is your wife disabled?  Is she capable of working?  Does she have a job?  You really need to explore the issue with a lawyer.  Even if you cannot afford a lawyer to represent you in the divorce, you should invest in an inexpensive consultation so that you understand your rights.  There are 3 programs in Arizona that you can use to get some inexpensive legal advice and guidance.  One is the Modest Means Program.  For a $75.00 fee, the Modest Means Program will arrange a one hour consult with an experienced attorney.  The telephone number is (866) 637-5341. Both the Maricopa County Bar Association and the Pima County Bar Association have lawyer referral services that offer a 30 minute consult with an experienced attorney.  Maricopa County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $40.00. The telephone number is (602) 257-4434.  Pima County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $35.00.  The telephone number is (520) 623-4625.