My name is Eric and I am currently going through a nasty divorce. I am
originally from Altoona, Pennsylvania, but currently stationed in the state of
Hawaii. I've read the many articles on your website and I have nearly lost all
hope.
After two years of physical, emotional, and being publicly belittled by my
wife I decided to file for a divorce. My lawyer at the time suggested I file a
TRO against my wife in the state of Hawaii where we were currently living and
state in the TRO that I wanted custody of my two minor boys during the duration
of the divorce proceedings. I was granted the TRO and told to appear in court
fifteen days later where a Family Court judge would then decide who would have
custody of my children for the remainder of the divorce.
My wife got the court date pushed up six days earlier by falsely accusing me
of physically abusing both her and my children. Even though, I had eye witness
reports and MP reports of her abuse on me Judge R. Mark Browning awarded my wife
custody of the children. He also awarded her a Court Order of Protection against
me for herself and my two minor children.
Without my knowledge the Military sent my family back to Pennsylvania.
Yesterday, I was given a paper that stated an allotment for the amount of
$660.87 would be taken out of my paycheck each month for child support. I did
not receive any type of Court Hearing notice.
My mother who still resides in Altoona, retrieved the court order number for
me and faxed it this morning. It stated that the courts had awarded my wife 775
dollars a month for child support and I was to pay 2,000 dollars in back child
support. I am only an E-4 in the Military and I do not make enough money to
survive here in Hawaii and pay that large of a sum. What I'm basically saying is
I'd like to know what it is that I can do to help.
Although, your website was very helpful I'm still confused about a lot of
things. Those sample letters and petitions...am I supposed to print them, sign
my name then mail them? Or am I supposed to email them? I'm not the brightest
man in the world and it's difficult for me to understand a lot of what I'm
reading on this website. It seems almost like a foreign language to me. If you
could help me better understand or give me detailed instructions as to what it
is I can do to help this matter I would greatly appreciate it. I have quite a
few friends here that would also be interested in this matter. For example...the
courts ordered me to take Domestic Violence, Anger Management and Parenting
Classes...they did not order my wife to take either...but recommended that she
did...she of course did not. While in these classes I've met over 20 soldiers
that are going through the same thing that I am. Of the 20 soldiers 15 of them
were also in the court room of Judge R. Mark Browning and each of them were
treated the same way that I was.
The women were awarded everything and the men were awarded little to nothing.
Who should I contact in my state to address these issues? I've already written
an email to my Congressman Neil Ambercrombie, but I only received an automated
response and nothing further. Again, any information you can give me to help
would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Eric
