Stuck
So I’m stuck. I’ve talked to so SO many lawyers, who are all also confused. Some I suspect just don’t have the time to help, and others have genuinely tried to help figure this out, but we arrive at the same place. So here I am, asking Reddit as a last ditch effort.
So my 3 yr old and I fled our home in UT, and moved to have support of family in GA, after I was victimized by my husband. He was arrested for Domestic Violence, and took a typical plea of abeyance. I have a protective order that I obtained before leaving the state.
I obviously want a divorce. The problem is, my son and I have been in GA for about 8 months, so we are now residents here. But my husband has no ties here, and has never lived here. Both of our names are on the house that we own in UT. So now each of the two state attorneys keep ping ponging me back and forth as to where to file for divorce.
One told me that UCCJEA custody law does not apply since my spouse has no ties to GA, others have said it does. How do I file? What plan of attack would you take?
If I give UT jurisdiction over custody, then I’m assuming we will have to end up in court to fight to “relocate” to GA? My spouse has shown that he doesn’t really want us. Despite the obvious DV actions, he never filed for divorce, which could’ve potentially kept us in state. He’s done nothing.
Since historically he doesn’t nothing but drink, smoke, and play video games, I was thinking my best chance was to file here in GA and pray that he’ll give GA personal jurisdiction so we can divide the house as well in the same case. If he doesn’t, then he would also have to pay two separate attorneys. While I don’t have the money for two, my parents have offered to loan it to me so I could make it work. Is this even an option? I can’t seem to get any straight answers here. Has anyone ever had a case like this? It seems to be rare that when someone flees abuse that they make it out of state as long as we have. I just want to be divorced. I’m so tired, and he continues to try to hurt me. He’s moved a woman, 5kids, and a dog into our home as “renters” but refuses to provide a rental agreement, letting them use all of our belongings. He threatens to get rid of sentimental items and pets. I just want to be done. I understand this is reedit, and none of you are my attorneys and cannot take this as legal advice. If anyone has had a similar case, please point me in the right direction. I’m losing hope of ever being free😭