>> my first thought was very excited because it was just great to be able to think of getting away from him. >> and then, finally, more than a year later lynn hired family law attorney lisa brandon. what did she tell you she wanted from you? >> she wanted a fair division of the property. >> but, said lisa, fred controlled all the finances. so she didn't know how much money they had as a family? >> no, no idea. >> how much money did they have, this family? >> well, including the equity in the home, probably $6 million to $7 million. >> which in a legal separation by california law would be split down the middle. but lisa said lynn told her fred would never part with any of that money. lynn also told her about fred's physical abuse. and so with a pending separation, lisa worried about lynn and charlie's safety.