Hello,

I am in the middle of a custody battle with my ex-husband in Hunterdon County, NJ. My ex-husband has never paid a cent of alimony or child-support. My ex-husband, a retired police officer, lied to a NJ Superior Court judge and has gotten away with it. I filed a motion. The court hearing was on September, 21, 2012. Because the font size was wrong, not doubled spaced, and too many pages, the judge denied my motion even though I proved with hard copy evidence my ex-husband lied over forty times in his initial motion. The judge has stripped me of all my assets and made me penniless because up to this point I have not been able to afford an attorney to properly defend myself. I have a court hearing, again, on Dec 7, 2012 because I created some websites to bring exposure to my plight.

**web site edited out, traffic driving not allowed**

I do not have a NJ address therefore I do not qualify for free legal-aid. I have contacted many organizations - Woman & Justice, etc.; all to no avail. I need legal assistance to get this matter resolved. My children's futures are at stake.

So why do you not have a address ? Where do you live ? Even a person at the shelter normally has a address, that is where info for welfare and benefits go.

Next most areas have legal aid, what has happened there?

But sorry your terms to "rescue" the boys is incorrect, you lost custody, happens every day
And the side that loses things the entire system is wrong.

Lying, yes people lie, and do it at every divorce and custody hearing I have ever been at. Thus, you use discovery of evidence, have your evidence done.

If you present your own, you needed to have went to court records reviewed other cases and seen how to present it. Or hired at least a para legal to prepare the paper work for you

Call the reference desk at a public library for contact names and phone numbers for the legal aid society in your area. (How can you afford to buy web sites if you are penniless?)

I live in Aruba. My ex-husband and I divorced, 2009, both pro se. No guidelines were in our divorce regarding the children beyond joint custody. In May 2011, my ex-husband and I verbally agreed that I would move to Aruba with our three younger children. He was to move to Columbia, South America with our two older boys and his new wife who is a Columbian citizen. We also had a verbal agreement of a settlement, he was to pay to finalize the divorce.

On August 9, 2011, my ex-husband drove myself and our children to the airport along with all of our belongings. Five months later, January 13, 2012, after a fight over the settlement, my ex threatened custody. He did not follow through with his threat until May 4, 2012 when he filed an emergent motion. I will be returning to the US for the court case on Dec 7, 2012 but I am in desperate need of legal counsel.

Call the reference desk at a public library for contact names and phone numbers for the legal aid society in your area. (How can you afford to buy web sites if you are penniless?)

The websites are free. One created on Facebook, Causes and bellstike (a fund raising site). I already stated - I not qualify for legal aid

The websites are free. I already stated - I not qualify for legal aid
Why not qualified? You're penniless.

Why not qualified? You're penniless.

They refused me because I don't have a NJ address. I live in Aruba. My ex-husband and I divorced, 2009, both pro se. No guidelines were in our divorce regarding the children beyond joint custody. In May 2011, my ex-husband and I verbally agreed that I would move to Aruba with our three younger children. He was to move to Columbia, South America with our two older boys and his new wife who is a Columbian citizen. We also had a verbal agreement of a settlement, he was to pay to finalize the divorce.

On August 9, 2011, my ex-husband drove myself and our children to the airport along with all of our belongings. Five months later, January 13, 2012, after a fight over the settlement, my ex threatened custody. He did not follow through with his threat until May 4, 2012 when he filed an emergent motion. I will be returning to the US for the court case on Dec 7, 2012 but I am in desperate need of legal counsel.

Is there a residence requirement? How long have you lived in NJ?

Is there a residence requirement? How long have you lived in NJ?

When I called them I naively told them my story and my situation. At the end of the conversation they told me they can't help because I don't live in NJ.

How will you be able to afford to fly to NJ from Aruba?

How will you be able to afford to fly to NJ from Aruba?

I have borrowed money from a friend here in Aruba to pay for the airfare, and trying to make arrangements to stay with friends while in NJ. I plan to meet with legal-aid when I am in NJ, but that will only be the day before the case. At least I will hopefully be able to get an appeal filed if I lose the motion again. Not knowing if I get the assistance from legal -aid I am trying anything... for example - this site

Does Aruba have legal aid? Certainly they can guide you to some extent.

Does Aruba have legal aid? Certainly they can guide you to some extent.

Yes, aruba has legal-aid. Aruban lawyers do not know US/NJ laws, forms, procedures, etc.

yes, aruba has legal-aid. Aruban lawyers do not know US/NJ laws, forms, procedures, etc.
No one can make calls to NJ or use the Internet, email? And how long have you known about the Dec. 7th custody date? Seems like this is all last minute.

So he never moved to Colombia but stayed in NJ to deal with all this while you were safely in Aruba?

Your title says you need a NJ pro bono lawyer, but you won't even be there until the day before the court case.

I have been dealing with this situation since May. I have contacted ABC news, Amnesty international, NJ & NY senators, CNN, etc. As a last resort I posted to this site... sorry it wasn't soon enough for you.

No, he never moved. I guess his plans changed. Instead of being an honorable human being - he chose to destroy my children and myself.

So what did all those agencies and organizations tell you?

Your title says you need a NJ pro bono lawyer, but you won't even be there until the day before the court case.

This statement makes no sense. You yourself have already stated - there is a really neat thing called a phone...

So what did all those agencies and organizations tell you?

No replies at all. I spoke with the organization Woman & Justice who were up front enough to tell me they just don't have the resources for this case.

It doesn't seem like there is any help for you. You don't reside in NJ, so no pro bono lawyer. Aruba lawyers won't/can't help you. You've been seeking help since May, but no one can help. There are no NJ lawyers on this site who are seeing this thread that I am keeping active, so I don't know what we can do for you.

It doesn't seem like there is any help for you. You don't reside in NJ, so no pro bono lawyer. Aruba lawyers won't/can't help you. You've been seeking help since May, but no one can help. There are no NJ lawyers on this site who are seeing this thread that I am keeping active, so I don't know what we can do for you.

I posted this thread - 2 hours ago - I think I will be a little more optimistic that someone besides yourself will see this thread. Thanks for all of your help and positive comments!

There is only one NJ lawyer on this site but she doesn't come on very often. If I see her around, I will tell her to look at this thread. Otherwise, no NJ lawyers are members that I know of.