Legal Question in Elder Law in Arizona

Adult Neglect Laws?

My husband of 25 years is the sole bread winner. He has control of ALL of our money. He is an airline pilot yet, I do not know what his income is. All of the bills and so forth, his credit card statements, pay stubs ect... are send to his mothers house. He spends a lot of money on himself. He is verbally and emotionally abusive to me and has been for 27 yrs, I was 21, young and stupid to understand the controlling aspects of this man whom is 5 years older than me. I am currently 48. We have 5 children and only 3 boys remain at home. He has convinced our children, that if I divorce him, they will lose everything they have, live in an apartment and that I will be homeless.

My main question is: Is it fair or lawful for him to neglect my personal needs? Such as clothing, any type of entertainment, intimacy, friends, access to money, my own vehicle (I must drive his mothers car. My SUV has been broken down in the driveway for approximately 3 years. When I have tried to leave even for a short time to get away from his abuse, he calls the police and says that I stole the car.)

This man has beaten me down so bad, that in April of 2009, I ended up in a Behavior Health Center for 12-13 days for depression and anxiety. There are so many more things that he has done.

The medication has caused me to gain weight. I am hoping for some under garments that fit properly without causing sores.

Thank You!

Kathy

Mesa, AZ


Asked on 4/05/10, 9:26 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Donald Scher Donald T. Scher & Associates, P.C.

Dear Kathy,

You should get out of this abusive relationship as soon as possible, and that means that you are advised to retain an experienced divorce lawyer and plan how and when you can leave the home, with or without your sons who are still in school. Do not believe what he says about anything. Find a good lawyer that you trust completely, and then follow the strategy and plan your lawyer advises.

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Answered on 4/10/10, 3:42 pm


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