HEY KARIN

Fingers crossed for all going according to plan. If there are hitches, am confident you will be able to “go with the flow”. Good luck, Karin, and blessings on you and the kits.

All fingers crossed! Keep us updated!

The attorney basically informed me that my husband cannot take any tapes, email etc that he has obtained illegally to the authorities. Any evidence my husband has is inadmissable in the court’s view because it was obtain without my permission. She was very knowledgible and explained to me what we could do which is obtain divorce and petition the court to rescind the green card application which means he would be deported out of the US. The attorney says that is the best thing to do for me to be safe. The downside is the attorney requires $4,000 to do all this work. She said it could be split..$2000 up front and then the balance when we complete the filing. I can come up with the $2000 but not so sure how I will come up with the balance. I sent an email to my Dad to see what he can suggest and will follow up with a call later tonight. I want to hire this attorney. I wonder if I would be able to negotiate her down a bit. Originally she had written a figure of $3000 on the paper but as she listened to me about my issues, the figure went up. She said my case could be a little complicated but doable.

Also, mutual friend called to say husband noticed I am packing and when am I moving, and where am I moving to. I said I was still in the approval process and was looking everywhere of which he laughed at me. I said to tell husband that he should be prepared to go find a roommate before the end of the month. He asked if I would pay Nov’s rent and I said no. Then I got an email back from my landlord stating that even though I sent her a written 30 day notice to move, I am still liable for the rent if husband doesn’t pay it. I know we signed a lease agreement but I thought it was for one year and now we are month to month what with it being past 2 years in the unit, so my being liable wasn’t applicable. I can’t find anything on http://www.nolo.com that is in my favor. Also, I don’t have a copy of lease anymore since my husband’s immigration lawyer took the original and husband didn’t get a copy. I now have to contact the lawyer for a copy and ask for it to be faxed to me. I will do that tomorrow morning. I think I am okay and then a wrench gets thrown into the works again. I need to be free and clear of my husband asap!!

Yes, FH, but until husband finds a roommate and gets him approved and on a new lease, I am still liable for the darn rent. I still have to come up with the money to hire the lawyer which is another item. So the fun continues.

Get your self out of there without giving any more statements to the management.

The apartment will have a copy on file. Request a copy from them and turn it over to your lawyer especially if it has a forged signature on it.

After you are safely out, mail the Appartment Manager by name a letter stating your case against liability and mail it from the US Post Office CERTIFIED, SIGNED RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED by Addressee only. That way the appartment manager cannot deny receiving your statement of not being signatory to any lease extensions.

If you personally have not signed a new lease in over a year, tell them to whistle for the rent. You are not a party to any extension. Any documents they produce with your signature would be fraudulent. If they are not party to the fraud the only recourse they have is to have your husband and anyone he had sign or witness your so called signature with said fraud charged with that crime. If they knowingly accepted a fraudulent signature they are in as deep as he is.

Thank you ailuromaniac for the info. I asked my current property manager for a copy of the lease but no response as of yet. I think she doesn’t go into the office till the afternoon as she has her staff handle everything or so it seems.

My father left me a voice message on my cell phone stating that he feels I shouldn’t hire the attorney. That I should try to work things out with my husband, that I should try to make it all work out. I have to keep repeating to my father, that he only saw the nice side of my husband and that my husband showed his true colors with his extortion tactics. My Great Aunt told my Dad she would lend me the money and I would pay her back. So I am going to call her tonight to about this.

I want a divorce and if I am informed by an attorney that should also have my part of the green card application rescinded to protect myself from future obligations with husband, then I need to do it. My father doesn’t seem to understand what I could go through if my husband still gets his green card, and if he has a bill he doesn’t pay, they can come after me and garnish my wages. That doesn’t seem fair since I barely make enough to live on and have a little to enjoy life with.

Do I obtain the lawyer and spend the $4,000 or do I just go and obtain the divorce myself and hope that the court doesn’t give the final approval?

I agree with Chuck – it’s worth the money to do it right and get it over with!

Karin, go with your gut and hire the attorney and get everything done & over with. Yes, you will probably be eating pbj and ramon for a long time but this too shall pass. Your father’s view is understandable being that he is from a generation whose view of marriage(s) are ‘you made your bed, now lie in it’ no matter what the situation or consequences. I know, my father is the same way and he would say the same thing as yours has been telling you. Your Aunt probably understands more than anyone being a woman and knowing either someone else’s situation or personally that this is true of that generation. It’s hard to go against parent’s wishes but you have to make it safe for ‘you and the kitties’.

Karen, I agree with the others. You’re dealing with so many legal entanglements and maeuverings, it’s best to have a professional end your confusion by advising you your legal rights.

Good luck! We’re pulling for you.

*hugs to Karin*

I pray for you and wish you the best. I’m glad you’re moving forward and doing it with such a good attitude. Bless your Aunt for helping you.