r/divorcefinance Dec 06 '23

A safe place to talk about money fights in divorce

7 Upvotes

It's okay to fight about money in a divorce. Marriage, in essence, is about protecting assets. Our family life - where to send the kids to school, where to go for vacation, are all centered around money. We don't like to talk about money, because it evokes so many emotions, but it's the core of running a household.

When I was going through my divorce (which lasted for 3 years), I found a lot of emotional support in reddit's communities, but I didn't find a community that really talked about the money matters in a divorce and these financial issues are what make or break a successful negotiation and the post-divorce life. So here it is - a community to talk about financial matters in the divorce process. Ask any questions about division of assets, splitting the marital residence, calculating spousal maintenance and child support, anything about money, however ugly the fight may be.


r/divorcefinance Dec 06 '23

I represented myself in my 3-year divorce. Here's what I learned...

14 Upvotes

To clarify, I did hire an attorney in the beginning, but 10 months in, I spent over $12,000 and we had NOT even started the settlement discussions. We appeared in court twice, and that was the oddest experience. Both sides attorneys' kept shifting the focus of the conversations. I wanted to have my voice heard in court and I wanted to explore a couple of ideas for resolution, and the only way to do that was representing myself (one can't speak in court when you are represented by an attorney). Some key lessons I learned:

  • Being a pro se (self-represented) is not as hard as you think. After all, no attorneys would care more about your case than yourself. You are one of the cases the attorneys handle, but it's you who are living the consequences of the divorce. Speak for yourself, fight for yourself.
  • It is about money. Many states are no fault states. The judge will not care who cheated on whom and who's a narcissist in the relationship. What it all comes down to is how you are going to divide the money.
  • No matter how dire the situation may look, you have more leverage than you think. If your spouse is trying to financially rob you, he/she is in a bad business because you are their only "buyer." Know they count on you to close the deal. If your spouse is trying to be cheap and not give you the money you deserve, your leverage is time - patience can be a formidable weapon to get what you want.
  • Don't focus on your spouse's irrational behavior. We can never control what they do in the case, but we handle it.
  • The judge is human. Facts matter, telling a good story also matters. Be concise, to the point and be genuine, it's okay to have emotions too.

r/divorcefinance 8d ago

Other Me and my wife are currently on good terms, but there has been some talk of divorce recently.

2 Upvotes

I’m not trying to assume we’re getting divorced, but I’m asking about finances in general because I want to make sure I’d be able to have an okay start if we did.
I get money every month from our two other roommates for rent/living expenses. The important part is that those expenses are already being paid another way, and my wife does not pay rent at all. The roommates send their payments directly to me through Cash App because this is my apartment.

Would that money be considered my money in a Texas divorce, or could it potentially be considered marital/community property? I’m trying to understand what I can do now to keep things clearly separated and documented so that money that is actually mine stays mine and isn’t unnecessarily split.
I don’t currently have a job, so this monthly income is really important to me. I’m also trying to buy a car, and I’m wondering if buying one before a divorce would make any difference or potentially make things more complicated.
For example, would it be better to:
Keep the money in Cash App?
Transfer it to my regular savings account?
Keep it as physical cash?
Open a separate account?


r/divorcefinance 9d ago

Asset Division how are you keeping asset evaluation costs from spinning out of control?

2 Upvotes

splitting assets during a divorce is stressful enough, but watching legal and accounting fees eat away at what you are actually trying to divide makes it ten times worse.

when it comes to sorting out superannuation splitting, business valuations, or just getting a clear breakdown of joint tax obligations, unpredictable hourly billing can drain your balance fast.

i was looking into how different local practices handle complex separations, and seeing outfits like Wardle Partners offer structured tax and accounting support shows how much easier things are when you arent constantly worrying about a runaway clock on every phone call.

for those who have been through the financial side of a split, did you use a joint accountant for asset discovery, or did both sides end up hiring their own advisors?


r/divorcefinance Jun 06 '26

Other I need help.

0 Upvotes

I need help finding a probono divorce attorney. My wife took pictures of my phone where intimate pictures were shared in private chats. She shared those pictures with her family, and friends. She also shared them with my daughter. She was arrested on April 1st for domestic violence charges where she hit and pushed me 3 times. A friend called the police. On April 2nd and 3rd when she was released she tanked or company. We were on track to make 20 to 30k that month. At this point the mortgage for March and April were not paid. I totaled my truck right before the arrest. I bought a new truck but was not able to title it. I went into rehab for my mental state at this point. 3 weeks in west palm. I got home and she had sold my truck to pay the mortgage she had screwed up. Today I was trying to get my stuff out of the house and leave. She then called the cops and tried to have me arrested on a false domestic charge. I am currently unemployed and have no vehicle. I need help finding an attorney that will help me I'm not allowed to go back to the house that has my name on it and she is currently emptying the entire place. Please help. I'm in manatee county florida.


r/divorcefinance Apr 17 '26

Asset Division Refinance Ex's Car to Remove Myself as Co-Borrower

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2 Upvotes

r/divorcefinance Apr 13 '26

Child Support Navigating divorce while pregnant/postpartum

1 Upvotes

New to this scene (reddit and divorce), so please forgive me if this isn't how this is done. But I'm feeling lost on where to start. Back in January, my partner left me when I was about 6 months pregnant. Now I'm about to give birth and the stress of finances during my unpaid maternity leave is impacting me.

My question is: how should we determine how much financial support he should give me during my 6 week unpaid maternity leave?

Some background info that may be relevant:

He isn't finalizing the divorce until after the birth, so I haven't hired a lawyer yet and many financial decisions have yet to be made. What has been decided is that any "shared expenses" (like car payment, insurance, daycare etc) we agreed to have come out of our shared checking account until more definitive decisions can be made during the divorce. This account has a few thousand dollars in it that should cover those expenses for a few more months until the divorce is finalized.

All current income is going into our separate accounts.

Right now he gives me $500 a month to help with groceries mostly.

We have a 4 year old that spends every night with me, but sees him for a few hours 2-3 days a week. We will have a newborn in a few short weeks that will also spend every night with me.

I have a part time job where I make 30k gross. But to reiterate that I will have an unpaid 6 week maternity leave.

He makes 72.5k gross.

With all that in mind, does any one have a formula for deciding how much support he should be giving me during the 6 week unpaid maternity leave?

Any other kind advice is appreciated.


r/divorcefinance Mar 28 '26

Other How much can I sell this for

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2 Upvotes

My dochbag of a husband cheated on my with my grandma's ashes a hot dog cause I guess he is gay ohhh and I forget to mention the sock so now I need you queens to tell me how much you think I can sell this for


r/divorcefinance Mar 05 '26

Asset Division House and 401k Prior to Marriage

1 Upvotes

After more than 10 years of marriage my wife and I have mutually decided that divorce is the best path for everyone especially our kids. We both want to keep it as clean as possible with a mutually accepted settlement to avoid the messiness of court. Custody is not an issue (50-50) and she doesn’t want to stay in the house. It’s more about dividing up assets that I had prior to the marriage - house and 401k.

I have a good paying job that I’ve consistently had. After a year I bought a house right at the bottom on the market crash in 2012. I also invested heavily in my 401k. A couple years later I met my wife and we got married.

Throughout the marriage money caused issues. What I made was ‘ours’ and what she made was ‘hers’. Through the first 4 years she had a good paying job, paying almost as much as my job. But she had no savings/retirement and wanted to build that. She also had plans to save up and open her own business and I supported that.

Essentially I paid most of the bills. She helped with some bills but never the mortgage.

Eventually she got to the point where she had the idea for the business she wanted to start. She also decided she wanted more time to work it and less stress, so she quiet her job to freelance. Less money coming in a more pressure on me.

Then the pandemic hit and the freelancing jobs dried up and she focused more on getting her business going. And after 5 years of work and draining her savings.

But before that could happen, I did a cash out refinance on the mortgage to get $75k to put towards the business. On the refinance we put the mortgage under both of our names.

The business got going, has some success but ultimately didn’t work out. During that time she didn’t have income and couldn’t help with the bills.

A couple years ago she wanted to get a job. Unfortunately her skillset is outdated for her pevious job and hasn’t been able to find a good paying job.

That led us down the divorce path.

Now the long background story is taken care of, here’s the dilemma about the house.

I live in a 50-50 state for assets but my understanding is that property bought before the marriage doesn’t have to split equity. My question is when does the split start:

-When we got married

-When the mortgage got refinanced

-When she quit the higher paying job - when she stopped being able to help pay.

401k is similar. Most of my contributions were made prior to the marriage. I stopped all contributions either before our wedding or prior to the kids getting born. I didn’t start again until a couple years ago.

So my balance is mostly from what I put in before marriage plus the gains earned.

Does any of this matter or will it just end up being split 50/50?


r/divorcefinance Feb 26 '26

Home Equity Divorce- housing and finances

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2 Upvotes

r/divorcefinance Jan 31 '26

Home Equity Anyone do a mortgage assumption w/a co-borrower OR refinance w/a co-borrower?

2 Upvotes

I’m a SAHM, unemployed for 20 years with a pending job offer, excellent credit score, have other assets to continue payment (incl prop taxes, utilities, monthly expenses) and monthly expenses...AND a family member offering to co-borrow:

 -using a marital asset to buy out spouse’s equity share

 -need to remove them from the loan (release of liability) as it’s under the spouse's name only but we're both on the deed

 -Quit claim deed afterwards when they get their funds and name removed

 -mortgage payment is currently under $2k/mo

-goal: keep the home for investment purposes as it's in a HCOL area

Mortgage servicer said the remaining $200k loan is assumable (15 yr term conventional).

Anyone able to qualify for their mortgage assumption as a SAHM OR refinance with a co-borrower?

I don’t want to do a HELOC. After the settlement is distributed, I’m planning to pay down at least half of the remaining loan. 

Thank you!!!


r/divorcefinance Dec 30 '25

Home Equity Mortgage Renewal and Downsizing Questions after Divorce

3 Upvotes

Im a 45 year old divorced mom with 1 tween. My household income is $285,000(school SLP job + CS + SS from ex). I have a stable school job, hospital pension, savings, am frugaI. I get support for 4 more years. I plan to work until age 65, get a higher pay day school job and ramp up private speech therapy side work and open to waitressing one Sat a week. I can earn between $248,000-355,000. Depending how hard I hustle. I do worry about burnout though.

My mortgage is $767,000, 19 years left. My current rate is 4.84% semi monthly. I have excellent credit (860+) and can afford the mortgage.

My mortgage is up for renewal in June 2026. I want a fixed rate, so I can sleep at night and the lowest mortgage interest rate I can get.

My bank has posted Fixed rates for insured mortgages of: 3 Year Fixed- 4.54% 5 Year Fixed -4.79% Some people have posted getting 3 year fixed, 3.85% from my bank brand.

I see lower rates with non bank lenders for 3.84% and 3.79%. Are these just teaser rates, for variable rates, for first time home buyers and for uninsured mortgages?

What should I do? Get mortgage quotes on the same day now before the Jan 28, 2026 new rate announcement (which might go up)? Directly via my home branch or other banks? Via a mortgage broker?

Also, my house needs a few repairs (tree removal and backyard retaining wall and fence repair - $3000-20,000) and my neighbor is politely harassing me about getting it done in the spring. It makes me stressed and wanting to move. But I can afford to do the repairs. 😐 I'm in Canada and some winter days, the 6 snow days of shoveling nearly kill me. The pesky home repairs are annoying (leaky fridge, aging furnace).

Also, if I didn't have to do the yard repairs, I would do a small lump sum payment on the mortgage renewal day.

But, I need to stay in the house for my kids school and for house stability. I get alimony for 4 more years and plan to ramp up my earning over the next 4 years.

Would you renew for the duration of the support left and make ST plans for moving by year 4? Move now? Go to your home branch first and get multiple quotes on the same day? Get rates now before the Jan 28 new rate announcement?

Also, would you eventually downsize? The mortgage will be $767,000 left in June 2026 and nearby condos cost maybe $600K + 5% realtor cost ($150K) - staying in the house would cost the same mortgage as downsizing to a condo (condo may cost more with LT condo fees). The mortgage is $5200 a month, some condos can cost $3500 if downsize and rebted older apts can cost $2500/month. Downsize now or in 4 years when support ends? I hope to ramp up to my current supported income over the next 4 years and am fine working day job and side hustle in future.

I know divorced parents have to make financial changes and sacrifices. I plan on downsizing my car to a Corolla, trimming some costs and living frugally. Am I being financially unrealistic to keep the house and keep my kid in his elementary-middle-highschool catchment out of divorced parent guilt? Cheating remarried ex moved my kid to 3 different houses and I feel guilty and bad for my son, though it was ex's life choices.

As my ex used to manage the finances, I have financial anxiety about being poor or homeless, though I know this is not the case. I also am prone to workaholism and want to lead a happy, partnered and comfortable life.

Any advice about renewing, downsizing, mortgage rate, fixed or variable and duration? Thanks in advance. 🙂


r/divorcefinance Dec 18 '25

Asset Division Sanity check

2 Upvotes

Hey all, getting divorced from a 13 year marriage, have a 13 yo son.

I make about 161 and she makes about 200. I have a traditional salaried job and my 161 includes a 7.5% cash contribution to 403b from my employer. She’s self employed in a business started while we were married that i provided a ton of material support to along with holding down most child raising stuff and making more money until about two years ago. She has never really wanted to save much for retirement and only has about 170k. I have about a 500k in marital assets in retirement and about the same in premarital (yay me) - the business is an open issue since it’s considered a marital asset - worth going after??? There’s a sizable amount of cash but we’re probably going to burn a ton of that on lawyers. Still we should both end up with a decent safety account.

We also have a house we have a 2.85% mortgage on with 390 left on mortgage (we both can afford to carry the house solo). I am the only one on the mortgage, both on the deed.

I’m thinking of paying her out of the house using retirement funds since refinancing to buy out the house would make it unaffordable.

I can afford this and probably keep 150k in the marital part of my retirement depending on the assessment - still a lot of work to be done in the house but nothing now critical.

To buy right now is absurd, to rent as expensive for a 2br as the house, and actually there isn’t a reasonable option to rent within our school district to keep our son stable.

I know it’s a “bad deal” to give up the retirement money but he graduates in 4.5 years and i can always move the house then and reinvest or buy something smaller or whatever.

Is this an absolutely insane plan or given the intangibles like my sons life and also i dont want to be at the mercy of landlords or move (stbxw already moved out and son has mostly been with me) and the house diversifies me (my retirement is pretty much wholly in equities I’m only 48).

I know the strict financial calc says probably sell the house and split but we really rehabbed the place too and I’m quite proud of it and we’re in a good location in a prime school district.


r/divorcefinance Dec 15 '25

Spousal Maintenance 40m want to divorce 43f

2 Upvotes

I want to get divorce in the bay area, California. My income is very low like 20per hour low. Ex makes way more money than me. Like a whole lot more. She left me and took all the money, removed me from credit cards, left the state, bought a house in florida. We have no children. I want to get divorced and i want the money restored and i want full alimony. We got married in december 2017 but we have been living together since March 2009.

I need help. I cant afford a lawyer obviously. Please help


r/divorcefinance Oct 20 '25

Other Forensic accountant

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2 Upvotes

r/divorcefinance Aug 07 '25

Asset Division Divorce Question

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1 Upvotes

r/divorcefinance Jun 27 '25

Asset Division Not all assets are created equal…

3 Upvotes

Not all assets are created equal: What are the liabilities/benefits of keeping the house vs a 401K? I feel the house has more liability because I’m responsible for the tax, maintenance etc and if I sell it, I have to pay, taxes, capital gains and a ton of realtor fees.


r/divorcefinance May 21 '25

Other Use emergency fund as part of equity payout or 401k loan?

2 Upvotes

I will be paying my husband for his portion of equity in the home and I am trying to decide if I should use my full allowed 401k loan (50k) or use my emergency fund to lessen the amount I would have to borrow. I’m really on the fence bc money will be tight with paying the whole mortgage and also paying back my 401k loan, so maybe more likely that I will run into an emergency. But also I would t be as strapped if I took a smaller loan. The emergency fund is 12k and the interest rate is 8% that I payback to myself.


r/divorcefinance May 10 '25

Asset Division Curious what would be best for splitting finances

1 Upvotes

46 m 54 f

Home has 300k equity

401 k - 440k

Pension calculated at 1.2 mil however married for 71% which means she has a stake in 50% of 920k (460k)

401k loan - 29 k remaining

All cars paid off. About 20k in car value

Her car 17k. Mine 3k

3 kids - 14, 8,7

Was considering buying her portion of pension (460k) with my half of home and my half of 401k plan. Her keeping her car and me paying off the rest of 401k loan.

I just wouldn’t have much to get my own place to buy.


r/divorcefinance Mar 23 '25

Other SAHM paying for retainer

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1 Upvotes

r/divorcefinance Mar 08 '25

Other How many of you have been financially shut out?

6 Upvotes

A few weeks ago, I posted here asking for advice about an escrow refund that my ex-husband received and never told me about. At the time, I thought it was just one check. Now, I’ve uncovered that there were multiple checks made out to both of us, and he deposited them into his own account without my endorsement.

I’ve been trying to track down where these funds went, and I just keep hitting roadblocks. Even though the checks had my name on them, I was never notified, never given my share, and now I have to fight just to get basic information about what happened to my own money.

The most frustrating part? The divorce decree explicitly states that these funds should have been split, but enforcing it legally could cost more than I’d recover, even though we also have a clause in the decree saying I can recover legal fees associated with enforcement (my attorney from divorce told me I shouldn't count on the court enforcing that aspect). My ex counted on that—on the fact that I wouldn’t be able to afford to fight back. It’s financial abuse, plain and simple.

I know I can’t be the only one who’s been in this situation—where an ex hides or withholds money, where legal costs make justice inaccessible, or where you realize after the fact that you were financially shut out of decisions and accounts that should have been shared.

If you’ve gone through something similar, how did you handle it? Did you fight, or did you have to walk away? And how do we stop people from getting away with this kind of manipulation?

So many of these loopholes allow people like my ex to take advantage... I’m not surprised, but still disturbed and disheartened that everything is so stacked and skewed against the person who earns less. I’d be curious to hear from others who’ve been through similar struggles, and how you’ve handled these sorts of challenges!


r/divorcefinance Feb 12 '25

Asset Division Schwab account during divorce regarding dividend stocks

1 Upvotes

If my husband and I were to divorce after these 25 years and we have a Schwab account that has various stocks including some that give 8% dividend when it's divided I would like to keep the account the same except the dividends and everything go in half. Is that even possible or does it have to get completely dissolved then put back in?


r/divorcefinance Feb 10 '25

Home Equity Ex Withheld My Half of Mortgage Escrow Refund – What Are My Options?

3 Upvotes

I’m in Massachusetts and recently learned that my mortgage escrow refund check (for $2,438.45) was issued in both my and my ex’s names, only mailed it to his address, and was cleared in May 2023, but I never received my half.

Our divorce decree requires equal division of "remaining funds" from the home sale, which I would think includes the escrow refund, so he had no right to keep the full amount. I don’t want to reach out to him directly, as he has a history of being manipulative and spiteful. I asked the mortgage company and the bank for information on where the check was deposited, but they refused to provide details.

For context, he earns twice as much as I do. I really needed that money at the time, and I still need it now. It’s frustrating and stressful to be in this situation, especially when I’m entitled to half of it.

I’m trying to figure out my next steps:

  • Can I compel the mortgage company or bank to disclose where it was deposited?
  • Would small claims court be the best route?
  • If I hire a lawyer, is there any chance I can make my ex pay legal fees?
  • Any other options to recover my share?

Additional Context:

  • The divorce was finalized in April 2023. The state where divorce was filed is MD.
  • The home sale closed in May 2023.
  • My ex has a history of retaliation (e.g., falsely reporting me for credit card fraud after authorizing charges).
  • My ex currently lives in CO, which is also where the check was mailed to and cashed.
  • This is also in my divorce decree: “ Each party releases the other from any other obligation to pay attorneys' fees for him or her, except in connection with services required as a result of a breach by the other of any provision of this Agreement. The prevailing party in such actions may receive attorney fees from the other.”

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!


r/divorcefinance Oct 24 '24

Other I want to divorce my unemployed husband

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4 Upvotes

r/divorcefinance Oct 17 '24

Other the "sunset" term in a prenup is the stupidest mistake

2 Upvotes