Eviction isn’t easy answer

Dear Amy: My girlfriend and I have been together for over 10 years and have three kids, ages 7, 4 and 2. Once our first was born, I gave up going out and drinking — no complaints.

I feel like the kids are well taken care of. However, her moodiness and spending habits have gotten worse. I don’t complain about it but when she asks, I am calmly honest. Sometimes that leads to me being yelled at.

I’m not perfect but I cook at least half the meals, buy at least half the groceries, spend a lot of time reading and playing with the kids, and I try to involve her in anything I want to do: hunting, fishing, watching movies/sports, games. But if I suggest it, she doesn’t like it.

She screamed at me because I bought a house for us, even though I had been screamed at for years because we were renting.

She’s mad that, although she didn’t contribute to the purchase. I wouldn’t put her on the deed, due to her past bankruptcies.

We agreed to split household bills and the mortgage (“rent,” as she calls it) 50/50, but she is always late with her payments.

I’m ready to ask a lawyer to draw up eviction papers.

My preference is to have the kids stay with me 100% of the time. She’d want 50/50.

With a 50/50 arrangement I find it highly unfair that I would owe her anything.

The fact that I make three times what she does means I should have to pay for her choosing a bad profession? Ridiculous.

Basically, I want my kids and I want to continue living my life. I’d rather not drag her through the mud in court, even though I think she’s emotionally abusive.

My plan is to serve her eviction papers if she continues to be angry all the time. Any better suggestions?

Pretty Dang Good Dad

Dear Good: First this: You may not be able to simply evict your partner just because you want her out.

You make triple her income yet split your mortgage and expenses 50/50. Why is that? Also, depending on what state you live in, income you’ve earned during your relationship could be considered community property.

Before breaking up the family, you should invite the mother of your children into counseling so that you both might learn better ways of relating and behaving.

A lawyer would update you about your legal rights and responsibilities to your children. If you truly are a martyr to your screaming wife, and not someone with a martyr complex, the court might award you sole custody; if you share custody, because you are the higher earner, you likely would be expected to help support her household; this is for the benefit of the children.

Mediation might be the least expensive way for you two to part ways.

Dear Amy: My parents have been dead for many years now. My sibling visits their grave daily and takes pictures of the gravesite.

I don’t know why my sibling feels they must do this daily but I do not like receiving pictures of the gravesite.

I don’t want to hurt their feelings. How can I let them know I don’t want to receive these pictures?

Sad Sibling

Dear Sad: Memorial Day is soon. You might want to visit your sibling and go to your folks’ gravesite together.

Tell your sibling: “These pictures trigger my sadness. Can you do me a favor and not send them to me?”