Hi Anna-
I’m new to the forum and couldn’t figure out how to create a brand new topic, sorry! So I’m trying to post it here, here goes.
My wife is an alcoholic who continues to drink, has had multiple affairs (which I can’t prove), and is the financial provider at present. We have three children under the age of 10. She told me over a year ago she wanted a divorce. She wants me to move out. I have done nothing wrong nor have any acts of marital misconduct. We are STILL both living in the marital home. She will not move out and continues to demand I move out, and verbally abuses me to try and force me to abandon. My questions are:
- Without notice she habitually spends the night elsewhere, likely with other men, but I’m not always sure. She never says she’s coming home but she eventually does. Can any of these instances be considered abandoning the home and may I change the locks the next time she does it?
- If the answer is no, I think I need to leave. This is a very toxic environment and is hurting my children. Can I leave without it being considered abandonment and if so how? I know logically it would be great to have a written agreement but she refuses to do that, or really anything productive. Even though she’s the one who wants a divorce she isn’t willing to collaborate on any type of separation agreement.
Thanks in advance for any help to the above. I looked into a DVPO but in NC she has to threaten physical violence which she hasn’t done. Just a lot of verbal abuse.
Drake