When people get married, they often believe it will last forever. However, sometimes that forever ends unexpectedly. While some couples can separate amicably, others turn into fierce adversaries, leaving many to wonder how love could turn so bitter. Recently, a user on Threads asked divorce lawyers to share some of the cruelest actions they had witnessed from ex-spouses. Many legal experts and everyday people shared astonishing stories. Here are some of the most shocking accounts.
One story involved a couple who had a baby but were not married. After the baby died, the father refused to help the mother with funeral costs, claiming he was not responsible. After getting a DNA test, she had him legally recognized as the father posthumously, but he still refused to pay for the burial, saying he was not obligated to care for a deceased child. The mother faced difficulty in getting permission from the cemetery to bury her child because the father had to sign off, and he was unwilling to do so. Tragically, the baby remained in the morgue, and he mentioned he might change his mind if she resumed their relationship, prompting her to take him back to court.
Another account described a husband who became increasingly aggressive toward his wife when she was diagnosed with cancer. He even broke her arm during a fight while she was undergoing chemotherapy. He delayed the divorce proceedings, hoping she would pass away before it was finalized. He convinced the judge that it would be too traumatic for their children to see their sick mother. Unfortunately, when she did die, she had not seen her kids for four months.
In another story, a woman in her early 40s was eight months pregnant with twins while caring for her ailing mother. Tragically, her mother passed away in her arms one day. Afterward, she returned home, understandably stressed, only to find her husband in bed with her daughter from a previous relationship. The daughter and stepfather later moved out and got married, effectively disowning the woman. The stress caused her to go into labor, resulting in one baby passing away immediately and the other a few days later.
Another individual shared their experience of being on dialysis while fighting for their life. While in and out of the hospital with her two sons, her husband filed for sole custody. The hearing took place just after she had been discharged from the ICU. She arrived at court in a wheelchair with hospital bands still on her wrist. A deputy escorted her, and upon seeing her condition, the judge dismissed the husband’s motion.
One more account detailed a divorce that took years and cost a significant amount of money. The house was awarded to the mother, who lived there with their three children. During one final visit for him to collect his belongings, he and his brothers stripped the house of all appliances, leaving behind an empty shell. The judge then issued a warrant for his arrest after hearing of the incident.
Finally, a deeply personal event involved a family that was kidnapped while driving. The husband attempted to flee but ended up leaving his wife and two-year-old daughter behind with the kidnappers. He was later caught and faced consequences for abandoning his family.
These stories illustrate some of the extreme actions people can take during divorce proceedings.
Sources:
Source: Bored Panda, by Eligijus Sinkunas