Write an article based on this "Keep communication with any legal professionals secret. Talk to an attorney. Seek custody of any children. Build a solid divorce team."
Once you start communicating with an attorney, you should do this secretly. Even if you're not living with your husband when you seek legal council, documents can accidentally get sent to the wrong address. Your husband may also gain access to sensitive information through your email or social media accounts. Set up a P.O Box and request any legal documents be sent to this address alone. You should set up a private e-mail account and channel all e-mail communications with your attorney through this account. Use a public computer to access this account as a controlling husband may set up SpyWare or other software on laptops and computers to gain access to your information. Establish a safe place to keep copies of all important paperwork. This can be a trusted friend's house, a bank vault, or a secure hiding place in your own home. Change all passwords to your social media sites. You do not want your husband accessing your social media as he might try to use things like Facebook to get damaging information or even modify your account in ways to harm you legally in a divorce. You should hire an attorney as soon as possible in any divorce but especially one where abuse is involved. Seek out an experienced attorney who has experience with these sorts of situations. You can check credentials online by reading reviews and contacting past clients. Look for an attorney who has experience in divorce cases involving domestic abuse. This way, you'll be working with someone who understands the gravity of the situation and can help protect you. If money is an issue, some attorneys might offer you a discounted rate if you explain the situation. You can also seek out loans from family members and friends. Custody arrangements can be a brutal part of any divorce. If abuse is involved, it's important you seek full custody of any children. How to file a petition for full custody varies state by state. Talk to your attorney about the best options for your situation. In many states, regardless of whether abuse is an issue, an ex-spouse is entitled to visitation rights if he pays child support. This can be very frustrating for people trying to leave an abusive situation. Document all abuse that happened, especially abuse that occurs in front of the children. This can help your case in a custody battle. Try to find people who've witnesses the abuse who would be willing to testify in trial. Document everything you do for the kids to prove you're the primary caregiver. Photographs of you taking the kids to school, extracurriculars, and testimony from teachers, family members, and friends can help. You'll need a top notch legal team in order to fight an abuse case. The system is still skewed and abusers often get away with money and legal rights regarding children. In addition to your primary lawyer, you may hire attorneys to specifically work on things like custody, money issues, housing issue, and granting personal protection or restraining orders.