Veteran Escapes Abuse With Legal Aid Help
Margaret, a veteran who was being treated for injuries suffered during combat, moved in with her boyfriend and had a child with him. Margaret also had two children from a former marriage who lived with the couple.
The boyfriend not only began using illegal drugs, but also severely abusing Margaret, including hitting and strangling her. The final incident of abuse was occurred while Margaret was in her car with the children; her boyfriend slashed the car tires and threatened to break out the windshield. Margaret fled Texas to live with relatives to get away from the abusive boyfriend.
The boyfriend received help from his family and hired an attorney to obtain custody of the couple’s toddler. Margaret applied for help from Legal Aid to retain custody of her child and protect her from further abuse. She also wanted to remain in the state she was living in, which was easily drivable from Texas.
With our help, Margaret prevailed on her case—the court order allowed her to stay in her current state of residence, with exclusive rights to decide major issues for the couple’s young child. The boyfriend was granted modified possession, but was not required to pay child support in recognition of the costs he would incur to drive to Margaret’s home state.
The boyfriend not only began using illegal drugs, but also severely abusing Margaret, including hitting and strangling her. The final incident of abuse was occurred while Margaret was in her car with the children; her boyfriend slashed the car tires and threatened to break out the windshield. Margaret fled Texas to live with relatives to get away from the abusive boyfriend.
The boyfriend received help from his family and hired an attorney to obtain custody of the couple’s toddler. Margaret applied for help from Legal Aid to retain custody of her child and protect her from further abuse. She also wanted to remain in the state she was living in, which was easily drivable from Texas.
With our help, Margaret prevailed on her case—the court order allowed her to stay in her current state of residence, with exclusive rights to decide major issues for the couple’s young child. The boyfriend was granted modified possession, but was not required to pay child support in recognition of the costs he would incur to drive to Margaret’s home state.