urgent advice, resources needed, heart breaking story!

[Varda]

Hello Waccoland,

Ran today into a woman, 65, who told me that five weeks ago her husband of 30 years took off with their RV and all their possessions, after emptying their savings and checking accounts of considerable money and left her with nothing more than her car and meager social security income. She is staying with friends, still in shock...husband disconnected cell phone, has no address as he is on the road with the RV, police located him but he doesn't want to be found, and they will not tell her where he is (or was)... she has an attorney but he tells her that legally he could do what he did (have a hard time believing that)

Anyway, anyone has any suggestions for her - how can she restore her life, recover some of her losses, any local resources? she is basically stranded with very limited funds. Have her # will forward your suggestions!

Thanks for your help!


Varda

[Shandi]

Because of her age, I'd say contact the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging: www.socoaa.org 565-5950
the closest senior center- Get a Senior Resource Guide from them
She'll need counseling, and can call the Family Service Agency 545-4551 x209. Also, the Sonoma county Health Services/Mental Health Services
Older Adults program 565-4857

That's a good start; there's a lot available for seniors.

Sandy

Hello Waccoland,

Ran today into a woman, 65, who told me that five weeks ago her husband of 30 years took off with their RV and all their possessions, after emptying their savings and checking accounts of considerable money and left her with nothing more than her car and meager social security income. She is staying with friends, still in shock...husband disconnected cell phone, has no address as he is on the road with the RV, police located him but he doesn't want to be found, and they will not tell her where he is (or was)... she has an attorney but he tells her that legally he could do what he did (have a hard time believing that)

Anyway, anyone has any suggestions for her - how can she restore her life, recover some of her losses, any local resources? she is basically stranded with very limited funds. Have her # will forward your suggestions!

Thanks for your help!


Varda

[treehugger]

well first off she is so lucky to be rid of him. now secondly lets make a list of the material things she needs and see what i can materialize for her. treehugger.

Hello Waccoland,

Ran today into a woman, 65, who told me that five weeks ago her husband of 30 years took off with their RV and all their possessions, after emptying their savings and checking accounts of considerable money and left her with nothing more than her car and meager social security income. She is staying with friends, still in shock...husband disconnected cell phone, has no address as he is on the road with the RV, police located him but he doesn't want to be found, and they will not tell her where he is (or was)... she has an attorney but he tells her that legally he could do what he did (have a hard time believing that)

Anyway, anyone has any suggestions for her - how can she restore her life, recover some of her losses, any local resources? she is basically stranded with very limited funds. Have her # will forward your suggestions!

Thanks for your help!


Varda

[RussianRiverRattina]

Eee-YIKES! How horrible. I urge you you to help your acquaintance by helping her to get in touch with West County Community Services at:

77 Petaluma Ave.
Sebastopol, CA 95473
(707) 829-5717
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00
Welcome to West County Community Services

These folks are kind, competent & compassionate, although they are also somewhat overwhelmed. If your friend can't reach them initially, I recommend that she keep trying. She WILL reach the right person & get good results.

WCC provides a variety of much-needed family, social, educational, & mental health services out here in West Sonoma County. They're sometimes hard to reach, but once you get hold of them, they totally know the ropes & are helpful, kind, caring, compassionate & responsive.

If you have any extra money, please mail WCC a check ... they desperately need the money, & so do the folks who depend on their services.

Thank you.

[Dram]

I say she drives to Harbin $35 a 24 hr day, she discusses work exchange and stays there for a couple of weeks, and you keep in coversation with her.

Hello Waccoland,

Ran today into a woman, 65, who told me that five weeks ago her husband of 30 years took off with their RV and all their possessions, after emptying their savings and checking accounts of considerable money and left her with nothing more than her car and meager social security income. She is staying with friends, still in shock...husband disconnected cell phone, has no address as he is on the road with the RV, police located him but he doesn't want to be found, and they will not tell her where he is (or was)... she has an attorney but he tells her that legally he could do what he did (have a hard time believing that)

Anyway, anyone has any suggestions for her - how can she restore her life, recover some of her losses, any local resources? she is basically stranded with very limited funds. Have her # will forward your suggestions!

Thanks for your help!


Varda

[jesswolfe]

A little typo:
West County Community Services at:
477 Petaluma Ave. (this is at the old convalescent hospital heading into town)
Sebastopol, CA 95473
(707) 829-5717
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00
Welcome to West County Community Services

Since the agency combined offices in the past couple of weeks, its taken time to get back in gear. But they are up and running, so do call.

Jess

[monapa8]

try Catholic Charities-
I saw an add on craigslist.org yesterday that had a job as live in dog sitter in pacific heights. Salary plus place to live and flexibilty. Sounds easy and she wouldn't have to interact with too many humans while she is dealing with this crisis in life. Just don't tell them her story.

Hello Waccoland,

Ran today into a woman, 65, who told me that five weeks ago her husband of 30 years took off with their RV and all their possessions, after emptying their savings and checking accounts of considerable money and left her with nothing more than her car and meager social security income. She is staying with friends, still in shock...husband disconnected cell phone, has no address as he is on the road with the RV, police located him but he doesn't want to be found, and they will not tell her where he is (or was)... she has an attorney but he tells her that legally he could do what he did (have a hard time believing that)

Anyway, anyone has any suggestions for her - how can she restore her life, recover some of her losses, any local resources? she is basically stranded with very limited funds. Have her # will forward your suggestions!

Thanks for your help!


Varda

[dominus]

If she has any spiritual inclination, she could consider living at a Buddhist monastery in Mendocino county where she can work out a work/exchange situation.

Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery

It might give her some time to regroup and heal.

Also, the law in California stipulates that all income & assets acquired during a marriage must be split 50-50 however if he had his own money before the marriage and that's what he left with, then she's out of luck. Assuming, the money he left with was acquired during their 30 years together then she is entitled to 50% of what her husband took off with. Most divorce attorneys offer an initial consultation free and might consider working for a percentage of a settlement. Also, I would think an attorney might be able to get an address from the police.