Thread: Divorce Questions

I got royally shafted by ex wife.

Throughout the marriage I was studying, she worked in accounts so I trusted her to manage the finances.
When we got married I had an NAB credit card with a $5k limit and about $3k owing, everytime NAB sent us a credit limit increase offer she would nag me until I signed - if I was hesitant she would wait until I had a heavy assignment due and ask me repeatedly when I was working on the assignment.
Eventually the NAB card got up to a $25k limit, she led me to believe there was only $10k owing on it. She also talked me in to getting a Coles Myer Source card, $10k limit with supposedly only about $1k on it and she also led me to believe both cards were in joint names.

Her "request to leave" the house we were renting was along the lines of "if you don't go I will and leave you to pay the rent" - as a student my income was about half what the rent was.
After I left is when I found out that both cards were not only maxed out, but also in my name alone.

She refused point blank to pay any of it, claiming that her credit rating was too bad to any credit, at one she said she would pay the source card if I reactivated her card and left it in my name.
I spoke to a lawyer at the time ($500 for the privelege thanks) who advised that the courts would look at contributions to the marriage, that the best I would get in court would be $10k but it would cost me $3k a day in fees over 3 or 4 days with no guarantee of a win.
When I moved out, she said it was to give her space for a month or so and that I would be back. For that reason I wasn't as forceful as I should have been about divying up the property. Between property and her share of the debt I reckon she took me for near $25k.

If she has half a brain, she will sign the papers and send them, because if I have to go to court I will chase the money and property as well.
As for the future, she earns a lot more than me so she won't chase me for any more.

If I die while she still has claim on me, well she lives in country WA and would take at least 48-72 hours to get here, my brother lives 5 minutes away, he has agreed that if I croak, he will have ten of his apprentices around here within an hour and this place will be stripped bare before she can think about booking a flight.

Big lesson learnt.
I've been in a relationship since, and I made sure I knew the details of every cent of our finances - love em, trust me, but double check and be informed.