How can my Mom divorce my Dad if she nor I have the finances to get a divorce lawyer?

Mom goes to a lawyer and the lawyer makes the Ex pay the legal fees, the alimony, divides the assets and nobody lives happily ever after.

With my daughter's divorce, here in Tucson, she needed $1500, just to even see the attorney for the initial visit.

If you have a local yard sale site, I have seen women post on there needing advice about social services and aid to get a divorce.

I always advise women to keep some money separate and establish their own credit, separate from their husband. You always think that you won't need it, but some people are surprised.

Most lawyers offer free initial consultations. Call one up and see where it leads.

I know that things like this happen all the time. I don't know how easy it would be to work through a divorce, since there is no money and the wrangling could get expensive. Since your mother has Alzheimer's, I don't know if she is competent to get a divorce or if it would be useful. One thing I do wonder is if your father could be sued for support on the behalf of your mother. She is entitled to half his SS, pension, IRAs, etc., as well as their community assets. I imagine that his SS is more than hers, so splitting the two SS amounts between the two of them would give her much more.

I don't know if this can be done without a divorce. If you can, talk to someone at Legal Aid to see if there is anything that can be done to help your mother. Something else to consider, however, is if she might need a nursing home soon. She will be able to qualify for Medicaid from the sound of things. If you think she may need Medicaid anytime soon, you may just want to let things go. Pursuing things would muddy the waters for applying.

I know people break up all the time, but for your father to leave your mother without more money is hard for me to understand. Someone ought to give him a swift kick in the butt.

If he thinks dumping her will get her Medicaid, he's in for a surprise. Medicaid does not recognize divorces that conveniently leave the patient with nothing.