we are in the Bay Area, California

So, my good child hood friend called me and has been staying with me for a while with his step daughter. His 2nd wife is beating the shit out of him and generally threatening him and his daughter (the step daughter) to him.

After some time to decompress he admitted this isn't the first time and she'd threatened him in the past and beat him before.

The aggressor in this case is asking for $100k to go back to her home country.

She said if he does not comply she will keep hurting him and ask for more money.

My friend is worried about getting police involved and him not being taken seriously.

so far, i'm trying to convince him to;

  • file a police report
  • potentially seek a restraining order
  • find a good divorce lawyer
  • provide a decent living area for him and his daughter at my place for the time being

things i'd like to ask for advice;

  • what is a good resource for finding legal counsel, i feel yelp might not be the best avenue for this

  • is he allowed to record the threats via a wire? or phone?

  • can she sue him and take his assets/ he is a co-owner with his parents of a restaurant

any advice is appreciate, and thanks for your time.