The Modern Woman’s Divorce Guide » My Divorce Experience

My Divorce Experience – Melissa M.

In March of 2006 I divorced Chris, my husband of 15 years. I have been through it all and would like to share my story with others so they can learn from my experience.

In April 2004, against my better judgment, we took out a second mortgage on our home to purchase equipment and trucks for Chris’ business. I thought we were both working toward our future nest egg, but little did I know that he was working toward his own future with his girlfriend. I found out one month later that he was having an affair with her and that it had been going on for a year. The real estate attorney said Chris’ actions could be considered premeditated and/or fraud.

In November of that year, I hired a lawyer and filed for divorce. It was granted in March of 2006. Chris decided not to show up at the proceedings and, almost three months later, he filed a motion to re-open which was denied. One month later, he filed a motion to modify alimony and child support. After that, he filed a motion for joint custody. In October of 2006 the judge heard the motion for modification and our case was deemed a mistrial in late February of 2007. Meanwhile, my ex had filed another motion to modify in January 2007.

In February, we had a meeting with the Department of Family Services which Chris walked out of. DCF has recently documented my ex for “emotional abandonment” of our son Henry. In March, the judge heard the motion for joint custody and again Chris decided not to show up. I am very angry and feel the system failed me.

My ex voluntarily reduced his income from $56K to $40K a year by resigning from one of his jobs. He was offered COBRA coverage when he resigned, but chose not to sign-up because of the cost. He keeps dragging me in and out of court.

Now I am stuck repaying our house loans and Chris continues to drag me in and out of court. I feel my rights have been violated. I have worked all my life and all I want is for our son to have a better future. In my book, Chris is definitely a dead beat dad. He knows how to cheat the system and get away with it.

This article is not legal advice. You should consult an attorney if you have legal questions that relate to your specific divorce. The names in this story have been changed for privacy purposes.

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