When you’ve been married for a really long time, it can feel like nothing could ever tear you apart. Sadly, even relationships that last decades can still come to an end, and that kind of heartbreak is never easy.
One Redditor had been with her husband for 20 years, but that didn’t stop him from having an affair and getting another woman pregnant. So during their divorce, she made sure he would pay for all the pain he’d caused her. And that meant a very hefty price tag.
Read the full story below.
The wife and her husband had been together for 20 years
Image credits: sedrik2007 (not the actual photo)
So when she found out he had an affair and got another woman pregnant, she decided he was going to pay the price for the pain he caused—literally
Image credits: sedrik2007 (not the actual photo)
Image credits: YesImChanging92
Divorce is an expensive luxury, one that can easily cost thousands of dollars
It’s no secret that divorce is expensive. In the US, the typical divorce runs about $7,000. That’s a serious chunk of money, enough that some couples choose to stay together simply because they can’t afford to split up. And that’s just the average—the bill can be higher or lower depending on how complicated things get.
In this particular story, the woman is committed to getting everything she believes she’s owed from her soon-to-be ex-husband. It’s impossible to predict what the final cost will be for both of them, but she’s ready to fight for every dollar she thinks she deserves.
So why does divorce cost so much anyway? Why can’t couples just sign something and move on? Laura Wasser, the chief of divorce evolution for Divorce.com, breaks down how the expenses add up.
A big part of it comes down to fees. Attorney costs for preparing paperwork are just the beginning. You might need forensic accountants to untangle finances, divorce coaches to help navigate the process, or child custody evaluators to assess parenting arrangements. These professionals provide valuable services, but they all add to your growing bill.
In the US, you also have to pay a state filing fee, regardless of whether you hire a lawyer or not. California, for example, charges $435 to file for a divorce, which is one of the highest state fees in the country.
Then there is the question of the home. After years together, many couples own property, and it is common for them to sell it rather than have one person keep it. That can bring in money, of course, but selling a house comes with its own costs, like appraiser and listing agent fees.
The biggest cost, however, often comes from arguing. The more a couple disagrees over money, property, or other details, the longer the process takes. And the longer it takes, the more the legal fees grow. Every conversation with a lawyer costs money, even when it feels like a simple discussion.
In her private practice, Wasser tells clients, “The more you argue, the more money you pay your spouse’s attorney and me.”
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
But at the same time, many people do feel happier after separating, even if getting there is far from cheap
That said, divorce isn’t all doom and gloom. Despite the emotional and financial toll, many people actually feel better afterwards. A survey of over 3,500 divorced adults revealed that nearly three-quarters were happier after separating.
The experience isn’t the same for everyone, though. Women tend to be happier than men after divorce. Men are more likely to take time off work and turn to alcohol to cope, while women typically spend more time with friends and are less likely to remarry within two years.
So men tend to struggle more with the transition. How do you think the soon-to-be ex-husband in this story will feel once everything is settled? And do you think he deserves to lose as much as possible after what he did? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Image credits: Curated Lifestyle (not the actual photo)
Many readers rooted for the woman to succeed and make sure her husband faced the consequences of his betrayal
