Bullied By Ex's Lawyer Into Suspending Support in Suffolk Family Court

by Monica
(Smithtown, NY, USA)

I spent endless hours preparing my Pro Se case of how ex-husband is underemployed & falsely claiming that his Maryland employer has not paid him since mid-Sept. Arrears were up to over $5k.

His lawyer harasses me to rush a decision cause "all bets were off" when we go into hearing room. I heard cannot get blood from stone & counsel fees will be sought causing judgment against you if you don't allow suspension in support & drop contempt petition because his client is not in violation, the employer is.

Child Support enforcement getting no where with employer & NOW I cannot provide the most basic necessities for my kid cause I work for a non-profit at salary below $30k. Absolutely no money for my own lawyer but that didn't stop my ex from hiring one. I requested attorney appointed in Family Court. Magistrate said I would have to hire private counsel.

I let Magistrate know I was threatened by lawyer. He erupted & said you are going to undo all we accomplished. He sweared that he did not threaten me & like a kicked dog, I consented to suspending support that I cannot survive without.
I am despondent & feel like I have let my kid down & everyone that has tried to help me for the last few years trying to divorce an emotionally abusive, mentally ill husband that made me believe I was responsible for everything that was wrong in his life.

The only way to fix anything is to find attorney that accepts contingency fee OR pro-bono.
Are there ANY programs for women such as myself that have been bullied by ex-husband & divorce lawyers?