Better Homes...well maybe just a home at this point...

[Josie]

Before I get into this rant about me and my mother's current situation, I'll need to explain a bit of what's what in my life thus far. My mom had me she was engaged to my true father, Kent. He bolted when he found out and left mom to fend for herself and me. The help with this fending, she married my first step-dad Sam but the marriage didn't last, however I did get a little brother Homer. Sam and my mom split up and my mom married a man named Ben. Me and brother knew Ben was an arsehole of a person to begin with but mom didn't believe us. 6 years ago they had a fight and split up, but they still were and are married in the legal sense. Now for the current part...

Mom has recently had a talk with is hinderness Ben and finally wants to file the divorce papers. Now this is great and all but, and this is a big but here. The house that we are staying in is under Ben's name, even though he hasn't lived there for 6 years and mom's grandparents gave them the down payment on the house. Mom is almost 90% sure that if she does divorce Ben, we will be kicked out of our house. So now me and her are scrambling around, trying to find a new place to live before she signs on the dotted line...

I really don't know what to do at this point. I mean I've been trying to get my school credits done and get me a car and stuff but it's taking so slow. I feel like I'm burdening her. But she's told me time and again that she will take care of it. Truth be told I don't think she can alone.

I guess what I'm asking here is "How can I help her?"

[Rowan]

I don't know how old you are exactly so take this stuff with a grain of salt:

Can you take a part time job while you're going to school? Especially if its somewhere you can get a discount on stuff you and/or your family will be using.

That'll help pay for a new place, not much, but it'll supplement the basic necessity money for food and clothing and what not. Doubly so if you can get work at a supermarket or something and get the aforementioned discount.


Beyond that, you can try and find a decent Divorce Lawyer that'll fight so you guys get the house, or maybe insist that the house be sold and the profit split between both parties. That'd give you guys your home back or enough money to try and snag a new place.

Another alternative would be to move away from home for a good job (not sure what the army pays now but its an option, as would be oil rig worker or similar) and send most of your money home.

If you know someone that works construction and is a member of a Union, they can get you accepted as an apprentice. The pay isn't that good at Apprentice I don't think, but in the future after you're done apprenticing its an excellant living, but hard work and more than a little dangerous.

[Josie]

I don't know how old you areCan you take a part time job while you're going to school? Especially if its somewhere you can get a discount on stuff you and/or your family will be using.

I actually do have a job, it's at a Taco Bell/KFC. I only make about 150-175 per paycheck though...

[Rowan]

Aha, well, I guess you guys could live off of burritos

If you don't work there every day you might be able to get a second part time job somewhere.

[Mitera Nikkou]

Well, if you've got a job, and if you also have limited transportation, perhaps there's something that you can do over your computer, either during your free time or as actual work. If possible, you could make something for the purpose of entertainment and garner some donations.

Other than that, I know that people can get extra money by digging out things that are thrown away from stores and such, though it's better to get their permission first. My mother's husband often takes things out of the bins at the mall (one time he brought back a bunch of lingerie from Victoria's Secret as well as these gift-like boxes with makeup in them) and finds ways to sell them or sell them at a scrap yard or something. He recently hauled off a bunch of steel and made over a thousand dollars over the course of a month.

[Rowan]

Good idea!

If your family has a car you can sell advertising space on it as well.

[Amber]

If I recall correctly, and as mention before a Divorce Lawver would know better. However as I recall even though the house might be in his name. The judge will look at who paid for the house. Down payment asside. If your mother paid the rent/bills/etc. though her own money than she will ether get to keep the house or get most of the money if the house is sold. If it was though a joint account than you get 50/50 though the judge might give you more since he hasn't been living in the house. If he paid for the house than you might be screwed in that since.

Again a lawver will know best in these situations.

[Sensei Kimiko]

Amber does seem to have aprt of this fairly acfcurate. You might also check on your individual state law. In some states she could make a claim to the house on grounds of abandonment. Moreover, in many rural states, they will look at who has paid the taxes on the place. If you mom has been paying the property taxes for the last 6 years that will help.

I would really recommend that before she signs she talk to a lawyer. Check around, there always seems to be some program around where you can see a lawyer for now or no cost. Where I lived in the states they usually had one at the local mall twice a year.

It also seems that he abandoned you all without any form of support. It is possible that your mom could make a claim to the house in lieu of child support.

If you are in the Southeast, PM me. I can't make any promises, but I used to know a couple lawyers in the region. Granted they are more into corporate law, but at the least if I can reach one they might be able to point you in a direction.

If I recall correctly, and as mention before a Divorce Lawver would know better. However as I recall even though the house might be in his name. The judge will look at who paid for the house. Down payment asside. If your mother paid the rent/bills/etc. though her own money than she will ether get to keep the house or get most of the money if the house is sold. If it was though a joint account than you get 50/50 though the judge might give you more since he hasn't been living in the house. If he paid for the house than you might be screwed in that since.

Again a lawver will know best in these situations.