abandonment??

[kelly56]

Hello,

Am hoping someone can point me in the right direction....I live in Illinois, am 68 years old and have been a housewife for 30+years.  My husband is a long haul truck driver and decided to leave me.  This is my big problem, he only sends me money when he feels like it.  (Last month is was a little over $300., $50 here, $100 there.)   I am months late on my bills and rent, have no credit and no savings.  I can't afford a lawyer and have applied for legal aid, but am not even sure if I'll get that, as there are no seperation papers or anything filed yet.  First, how do I address my income for the paperwork for legal aid, when HE makes a lot of money but doesn't give me any?  (I know his usual income and am sure he is stashing it away somewhere, as he doesn't send any to me).  Also, because he lives out of his truck now, I have NO idea where he is, only a cell phone number that he answers if he feels like it.  I am at my wits end as to what step to take next.  Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[livealittle]

Is he employed or does is he an owner/operator?

At the very least, get some do-it-yourself forms for filing for temporary support pro se and study them and find out what the steps are.  Read everything you can find on it and Lee's blog and website is a great place for information.

[Lee Borden]

When those forms ask about your income, it sounds to me as if your answer would be zero. This is a prototypical alimony case, and the sooner you get the alimony coming the more aggressively you will be able to negotiate with your husband about the other issues. Ask around; you may have a friend or family member who can front you the money for a retainer. I know you don't want to have to ask, but the alternative is allowing your husband to starve you into submission.

[kelly56]

First of all, thank you for the replies.  My husband works for a trucking company, but recently I received papers in the mail for him to go independent. (Obviously sent to my address by mistake). 
Will fill out the papers for legal aid and see what happens with that.  Unfortunately, there is no one that can lend me the money, so hopefully something will happen with legal aid.
Thank you again for your help.