# How do I protect myself **URL:** \ **Category:** Divorce and Separation Answers\ **Created:** [April 23, 2008, 10:00am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/how-do-i-protect-myself/5896 "2008-04-23T10:00:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stepmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@stepmother](https://forum.rosen.com/u/stepmother)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2008, 10:00am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/how-do-i-protect-myself/5896/1 "2008-04-23T10:00:16Z")
If you are not separating there is nothing that you can do. All marital assets (cars, bank accounts, home) is divisible by law, meaning that they belong equally to you both. It is not illegal for either spouse to take a vehicle belonging to the marriage, regardless of who’s name is on the title or who paid for any of it. It is not illegal for a spouse to withdraw money from a bank account. ---
**Author:** ![Helena\_Nevicosi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Helena\_Nevicosi](https://forum.rosen.com/u/Helena_Nevicosi)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2008, 10:27pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/how-do-i-protect-myself/5896/2 "2008-04-23T22:27:08Z")
If you intend to remain with him there is thing you can do to prevent him from taking the car away from you. Helena M. Nevicosi Attorney with Rosen Law Firm 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500 Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 919.787.6668 main phone 919.787.6361 main fax Charlotte Office 301 McCullough Drive Suite 510 Charlotte, NC 28262 Main Phone: (704)307.4600 Main Fax: (704) 9343.0044 Durham & Chapel Hill Office 1829 East Franklin Street Building 600 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 321.0780 > **[North Carolina Divorce Law - Legal Answers and Info](https://www.rosen.com/)** > > The best resource for divorce in NC. Find accurate, legal, family law advice from attorneys practicing in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. The information posted on this forum is available for public viewing and is not intended to create an attorney client relationship with any individual. These answers are provided for informational purposes only, a person should consult with their own individual legal counsel before taking any action that could affect their legal rights or obligations. ---
**Author:** ![suzy8686](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@suzy8686](https://forum.rosen.com/u/suzy8686)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/how-do-i-protect-myself/5896/3 "2008-04-22T23:47:09Z")
The last time my husband and I got into a fight he locked me out of the house, took my keys got in my car(which had my purse in it) and left. I called a police officer and told her that I knew exactly where he was (at work 1 mile from the house). She wanted to break my window to get in the house and kept looking for a spare under the welcome mats even though I kept telling her that the only spare is in his key ring. Finally she agreed to get my keys. While she was out my husband text messaged me that she told him he didn’t have to give me anything he didn’t want to. The police officer came back and handed me a key to the house and left. When I got back in the house and realized he had taken my purse and my set of keys I got in the other car(which belongs to my mom but she is letting my husband use) and drove to where my husband was.To turn this long story short he refused to give me my set of keys and my purse and decided that he would call the police and tell them that I hit him. They came, threatened to take me to jail, he told them he didn’t have my purse, the police threatened me again, I insisted he had my purse and he gave it back but he took about thirty minutes to come back with the purse because he went to an atm machine to take all my money out. He finally gave me the keys(to my moms house) and the police told me not to come back there or to my house and that he can keep the car and told my husband to press charges against me in the morning. The car loan is in his name because I don’t have any credit to buy a car but I made the $3,000 downpayment and every payment since then. The registration and insurance is in my name. We are back together but how can I keep him from taking my car again next time? I already closed the joint account and changed the pins.