First things first: you would really benefit from retaining a skilled family law attorney. He or she can answer all of your questions, and will have the chance to review all the relevant facts with you and relieve a good deal of anxiety. That said, the temporary but exclusive use of items of property if there is any dispute or chance of one is usually resolved at a Temporary Order hearing which is usually held two or three weeks after the case is filed. Without such an Order, all you have to rely on to protect your property is whatever automatic stay is provided just by filing and serving the divorce papers, which is not much regarded. If you live in Wisconsin or another marital (=community) property state, he has an equal right to all marital property until a Court issues its orders. So you benefit by promptly retaining a lawyer and having him or her draft and serve a Motion or Order to Show Cause promptly.
Answered on Sep 29th, 2015 at 4:49 PM