[indhelp]

My husband and I are going through a divorce. He is trying to tell me that he will not give me joint custody of our children. Due to the reason that he says that I abanded them. I left them with a well trusted friend. He was returning home the next day. He knew that I was leaving, so did my family and friends. He also told me that if I don't sign over custody that he was going to have me thrown in jail cause of the abandament. What should I do. Does anyone know the laws of Virginia on abandament? Please I need help.

[ScottGem]

Get a lawyer. If you walked out on the marriage without taking the kids, then you did abandon them. However, that is grounds for divorce its not a criminal action unless you just left them alone. Since you left them in the care of a responsible adult you have no criminal liability and he's blowing smoke about jail.

However, since you voluntarily left without the kids, then you may have a hard time getting custody. At best I would suspect he can make a good case for physical custody.

[indhelp]

My husband and i are going through a divorce. He is trying to tell me that he will not give me joint custody of our children. Due to the reason that he says that i abanded them. I left them with a well trusted friend. He was returning home the next day. He knew that i was leaving, so did my family and friends. He also told me that if i dont sign over custody that he was going to have me thrown in jail cause of the abandament. What should i do. Does anyone know the laws of Virginia on abandament? Please i need help.

Thank you for the advice. I did take it and got a lawyer. And I did not abandon them.

[Fr_Chuck]

Husbands and wife's, lie, cheat and say many threats during divorce and child custody fights, expect all sorts of other stupid things to be said as this goes on.

[ScottGem]

And i did not abandon them.

You left your home and walked out. Technically that might be considered abandonment depending on the court you appear before.