Furniture and Bills

Hi all- me again. If you didn’t catch my first ridiculous post here, feel free to read it on my profile.

My soon to be ex and I have our temporary hearing in March.

We separated January 2023. He announced he was leaving our marriage October 2023. He moved out December 2023. I kept my rental home and moved the lease to my name only.

He suddenly wants furniture he left behind that “he paid for before we were married”- a couch, a kitchen table, a kind sized mattress. He doesnt want the items, just “retail price” for them all, after leaving them for 14 months.

He also abandoned his cat.

I paid bills that were in his name to help him out when he first left, but can no longer afford to do so, as my budget drastically changed a few months ago. He is harassing me to no end regarding a bill in his name I will no longer pay. Nothing is signed as an agreement that I was to pay the bill.

I have paid every cent toward daycare for 16 months.

He has not paid any child support. We have an 80/20 custody split, if that.

What can he legally do? The harassment makes me want to file a restraining order.

Courts will just make them payable out of sale of assets. Off the top probably.

Montana said:
Courts will just make them payable out of sale of assets. Off the top probably.

It sounds like ensuring fair distribution of assets could be a key part of resolving this.

What are his children supposed to sit on ? A couch and the chairs. Stop giving him money or paying his bills. I hope you have a lawyer and get your divorce finished up. Make sure your credit and the childrens credit are locked so he can’t put you in further debt. Contact Office of Support Enforcement in your state and start having him pay his fair share for his children.

@Farrell
Protecting your financial interests and your children’s well-being is crucial.

Tell him to pack sand. Retail price is a joke of a request. Throw him on child support and see him in court.

Celine said:
Tell him to pack sand. Retail price is a joke of a request. Throw him on child support and see him in court.

Standing firm on your rights and obligations can be empowering in such situations.

None of this sounds like it would qualify for a restraining order.

Tell him to speak to your attorney. If you don’t have an attorney, tell him asset and debt division will happen at the March hearing.

If you aren’t already, enroll with the state for child support enforcement. They’ll start garnishing his paycheck and utilizing other enforcement measures.

@EricOrtiz
What do I do in the case where he is self-employed and his income can be fudged easily? I’m not sure how to fill out the employment part for him. What does the state do in that case?

Helena said:
@EricOrtiz
What do I do in the case where he is self-employed and his income can be fudged easily? I’m not sure how to fill out the employment part for him. What does the state do in that case?

Nothing. Your cooked. He can pay himself a poor wage and you get to go by that. The business is a separate entity. That’s one way the B judges lose out on scams and cons.

@Montana
Handling self-employment income in legal proceedings can be challenging but important for fair outcomes.

Helena said:
@EricOrtiz
What do I do in the case where he is self-employed and his income can be fudged easily? I’m not sure how to fill out the employment part for him. What does the state do in that case?

He still has to make the payments. If it can’t be garnished and he isn’t paying, then they take other enforcement actions like: suspend his license, credit bureau reporting, vehicle liens, tax refund intercept, bank account intercept, passport denial

@EricOrtiz
Exploring all available legal avenues for enforcement can help ensure financial responsibilities are met.

@EricOrtiz
I honestly to goodness didn’t know I could do this apart from court.

Helena said:
@EricOrtiz
I honestly to goodness didn’t know I could do this apart from court.

here is where you sign up. Once your enrollment is processed, they should start enforcement right away

@EricOrtiz
Thank you so much!

what does your lawyer say? please tell me you have a lawyer. bills in his name, never ever pay them . Document everything. you do not owe him money for furniture, however give him a formal notice that he has 30 days from date to come get them or they are considered abandoned. Change your locks.

Edit: NaL, just married to one. Deal with this from my job as a counselor often

@Alva
I do indeed have a lawyer. Lawyer said all of this as well. I guess I’m just looking for reassurance from the general public that I’m not overreacting.

Helena said:
@Alva
I do indeed have a lawyer. Lawyer said all of this as well. I guess I’m just looking for reassurance from the general public that I’m not overreacting.

you are not. PM me if you just need to chat, divorce is hard especially if there are kids. Please if you can do family therapy with them, make sure they know none of it is their fault, and you will not abandon them . Low cost can be found at most universities or colleges that teach

@Alva
Thank you so much for this. I appreciate it.