As a divorce attorney and psychologically trained mediator, I hear all kinds of diverse divorce stories. I have decided to share some of these stories monthly with you.
Naturally, I will change the names and some of the details to protect my clients. The purpose of sharing these divorce stories with you is to let you know you are not alone. There are peaceful, rational solutions available to you. You really can have a happily-ever-after.
Dean and Mariah were married for 12 years. They had one child, age 9. He was a real estate developer, she a yoga teacher. They lived in a house in Queens. When I received a phone call from Mariah she was sad and confused.
During our phone consultation, she told me that her husband was having angry outbursts, being verbally abusive, and she couldn’t stay married to him anymore.
This had been going on for the last five years, had elevated during the pandemic, and she had pretty much stayed in the marriage because of her son. She didn’t want him to grow up in a broken home. Her parents had divorced when she was young, and she didn’t want that for him. But she was worn down, burnt out, and couldn’t take the abuse anymore.
As a psychologically trained attorney and mediator, I asked Mariah if there was a possibility of mental illness and she said she felt there was something going on, but Dean would never see a therapist or acknowledge there was an issue. She also shared he had grown up in a home with alcoholism and abuse. He spoke about it briefly when they first met.
We discussed mediation, and as I usually do as part of my divorce process, I suggested to Mariah a way to discuss mediation with Dean and how to impress upon him the dissolution of their marriage didn’t have to be expensive or adversarial. A few days later she called me and told me she spoke with Dean and he wasn’t interested in mediation. After their brief talk, he stormed out of the house and disappeared for a few days. Mariah then asked me about litigation. We scheduled a conference call with my litigation partner and the three of us discussed strategy and moving forward.
They owned a home together valued at $600,000.00. Mariah had an inheritance from before the marriage of $400,000.00, and Dean had invested in Mariah’s Yoga practice. He had a pension and some separate assets.
We are working out all the details now and speaking with Dean’s attorney. There have been some violent outbursts from Dean so we recently filed and received exclusive occupancy of the marital residence for Mariah and their son.
This divorce journey is complicated, but we are protecting Mariah and her son and providing comprehensive legal and compassionate support.
If this sounds like you, don’t stay in an abusive marriage. Please know that discussion, compassion, and highly skilled legal guidance can solve your divorce problems. My team and I can provide the legal services and psychological help to get you through your divorce.
If you would like to share your story with me, call me. I will give you common sense answers to all your divorce questions. I will help you, as I did with Mariah, to find the right divorce path for you!
All our FREE CONSULTATIONS are discreetly and conveniently conducted virtually to reduce risk.
I look forward to hearing your story and helping you find the best possible solution.
Stay healthy and safe!
Warm regards,
Lois
Call New York Divorce Attorney Lois Brenner now to book your Free Consultation. 212.734.1551