I have been married for 9 years, I have a 9,6,& 2 yr old. For the last 3 years my life has been hell. I use to work at a bank, and I got fired because I was writing bad checks in my own account, I didn't know it was a crime, but it is if you work for a financial company. I found out the hard way, so I got a felony on my record, and my husband can't let go. He is always been very possessive, and since that happened he uses any opportunity to let me down. His tone with me is demanding, and he even got to the point of physical abuse, he was drunk and he hit me to the point that I got bruised up and my I couldn't move my neck for a week. Since then I just want to leave him, but I want to take my kids. He threatens that if I dare to take them he will get full custody of them because he works and I'm the one with a felony record. I'm desperate I don't know where to go, or where to get help. I want to leave him, but I want to take my kids with me without getting into any legal trouble...

You didn't know it was a crime? Really? It's a crime for anyone to write bad checks, not just those in a financial institution. If you know the account is low or closed and you write a check, it is a crime.

Before we help you, it would be important to know WHY you wrote the bad checks. Is it a gambling problem, shopping problem, or was there a legitimate reason such as paying bills?

It was for paying my bills, but the accounts were not overdrawn anymore, when security from my job went I had enough money in both accounts already. I had deposited my income tax checks, so I did it for couple of months until I got my check. But they still prosecuted. I owe nothing to them.

If your husband is abusive, find the local women's shelter in your area, if you don't have family nearby. Take your children and go there.

Why did you not call the police when your husband abused you?

I don't know. My kids maybe, they love him. While we were arguing he broke my cell and the house phone in pieces, because I was trying to call someone then. I try to run out to go to the neighbors and he wouldn't let me, I was screaming but no one came. This was during winter break, he's a teacher, so he was home. He kept me in watch and without a car for couple of days. Then I just got brainwashed I guess, because he was so nice to me. Like he was sorry, but he just did it until my bruises were gone. I want to know, if I do try to get custody of my kids, will the felony count against me?

You know what I kind of am going through the same problem! My husband I great with the kids right now we r OK in a way but I don't want to live the life that I am living and I could never leave my kids. I think about just taking them and going but now it is against the law. My husband used to hit me a lot. But like I said I still l,ove him and I also don't want to take my kids away from him. He hasent in about 1 and half years but really what am I to do with being so unhappy and also I didn't mention that I got in some trouble at one point, but I didn't get in trouble with the law. But he did years ago for assult.