Posting in AIBU for traffic. Wondering how can I help, or what advice to give to my friend.
Short story. They have been married for 15 years, 3 DC, she has always been the main breadwinner, he stayed at home with DC by his choice until all DC started school, she saved for a deposit (pre-marriage) and bought a property for them to live.
He has had paranoia in the past for which he took medication (which improved the condition then). He stopped taking the medication, decided he was ok, and now his paranoia is on the high. There are a lot of nasty elements to it, but the main one is that he thinks my friend is cheating (she is not) and he has filed for divorce.
She got a lawyer to represent her. They still live under the same roof. He demands for the full custody of DC and the property to himself. He wants her to move out. He demands she leaves the country (she's lived here for 20 years). He wakes her up at night and demands her leave, or "he will make her ". He has hidden her set of the keys from the back garden access. He has a air riffle (not sure if this is relevant). She is afraid to leave the property in case she gets locked out. He pushed her a couple of times in anger. He said he is mentally stable and it is she who's paranoid.
She is normally extremely laid back and peaceful as a person, but she is now worried for her safety. His threats are subtle, said in the middle of the night (he wakes her up), with the clear intention to eradicate her from his and DC life. She has done nothing but work, provide, allow him to "explore himself", be a good mum to her DC, do things as a family... she does not deserve this.
Her lawyer will do his bit fighting back, but what else can be done? Going to police? The evidence of those subtle verbal threats is hard to record. I am worried for her. Thanks for any help.