Wife locked me out of home, what to do?

[CDAN99]

Wife has not filed for divorce yet but has changed the locks so that I can't go into my own legal residence. I have temporarily agreed to stay out in an effort to keep the peace in the hope of reconciliation. I can't afford to stay out anymore and just want to live in my own home under my own roof. I do not want to cause her stress but she is treating me as a doormat and threatening to sell the house from under me. What should I do. I feel I have the legal right to live in my own house. How do I go about doing this? Do I call the police when I am unable to enter my home?

[tigger]

How is the deed listed?

[Kitty C.]

If you are legally considered an owner, you have every legal right to be there.   Call the cops and tell them you want access to your home.  The only time they can force you to leave is if it is a call regarding domestic violence...then they will make one party leave to cool things off, at least for one night.

If the house is in both your names, she cannot legally sell it out from under you....she's trying to BS you into thinking she will and trying to scare you.  Do NOT fall for it!  Learn your rights and stick up for yourself...call her bluffs and she will back down.  But she will up the ante the next go-round, so beware....

[CDAN99]

Thank you Kitty. You are right that she will ante the next go-around. This is something I've been trying to avoid but just can't pay for 2 places to live on a long term basis. Thanks again.

[DadsCrushed]

Get back in the house. She is attempting to demonstrate that you abandoned the home. She is also attempting to show down the road a status quo of her providing for the children in the home while you are not there. Therefore, when this goes to divorce she will get the home and the children (use and possession). My advice to you is to have the police escort you to the house. Otherwise she will accuse you of beating her and then she will seek an emergency ex parte protective order. Make sure you have a witness around because she will claim abuse; I guarantee it. You will be forced out, forced to pay the mortgage, forced to sleep on a buddy's couch, you will lose the house, you will lose the children.

Get back to the house ASAP.

[CDAN99]

Fortunately there are no children in this marriage. I am trying to contact the wife to request access into my own home but so far she is ignoring me. I guess I am just going to have to show up in person and ask her to nicely to let me in. I don't want to call the police and cause a scene but that may have to be the next step since I have no alternatives.

[tigger]

Do NOT show up in person by yourself.  That would be one of the worst mistakes you could make right now.  Have someone with you preferably recording the encounter.

[CDAN99]

Thanks tigger, advice taken.