Yolanda's story
Contested divorce—legal advice and brief services

“There are days when I still can’t believe that I, an immigrant without a college degree, was able to represent myself in court and get a divorce on my own terms. Me!”

Yolanda, an immigrant from Trinidad, came to inMotion with a long history of abuse by her husband. During their more than 20-year marriage, he controlled every aspect of her life—from her contact with friends and family to micromanaging her day-to-day household responsibilities.

Over the years, Yolanda survived many beatings which required hospitalization. On one occasion, after becoming enraged at the dinner table, her husband stabbed her arm with a steak knife. Another time, Yolanda required 22 stitches after he severely beat her face.

After receiving social work services, Yolanda was able to safely leave her husband and she obtained an order of protection against him. In retaliation, Yolanda’s husband sued her for divorce in Supreme Court, falsely accusing Yolanda of cruelty in their marriage. Yolanda sought inMotion’s help in obtaining a divorce on her terms, rather than those of her husband.

When Yolanda called inMotion, we explained that the deadline to file a response to her husband’s divorce summons was about to expire and, if she did not act quickly, her husband would be awarded a divorce, on his terms, by default.

Yolanda hoped inMotion would find a volunteer attorney to represent her in Supreme Court but, unfortunately, there was not enough time. InMotion could, however, help her prepare an answer to her husband’s divorce summons that stated her own allegations of his cruelty to her and requested equitable distribution of their marital property.

An inMotion attorney helped Yolanda draft the appropriate papers for the divorce action and instructed Yolanda on the correct way to file her papers at the court. Our attorney also provided Yolanda with detailed legal advice on issues in the divorce and the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Yolanda recently obtained a favorable divorce judgment which awarded Yolanda her rightful share of her husband’s pension. She called to tell us how grateful she was for our help.

Yolanda now lives with her sister and has started a new job at women’s clothing store. She is exhilarated to have her freedom and to begin a new life.

Learn more about representing yourself in court with inMotion’s help. 
 

Note: All clients' names and personal details have been changed to protect their identities.