This is to all the guys going through negotiations.

I’ve had a fairly amicable split with my wife. No cheating, addictions or anything else. We just don’t love each other any more.

Leading up to today, we’ve been agreeing to 50/50 split on both assets and custody. I’ve asked my wife several times over the last few months, “should I expect any surprises?” Every answer, no.

We will jointly work with a lawyer to draft up paperwork to be submitted to the court. Today was the day we’d finalize our negotiations.

After walking through the numbers and asset division, she says she wants more custody. Out of nowhere. I told her we’d have to go to court if she wanted that to happen. After doing everything to not loose my cool, it turns out she wants more money. I gave it to her. I couldn’t bare the thought of not being with my son more than is possible. She agreed and we went our separate ways. I got an audio recording of the agreement.

After talking with a buddy who had the same thing happen to him, I see this is a common tactic for wives to shake their husbands for more cash.

I’m here to say it’s just a tactic. She got more money, using my son as a bartering token. I’m not sure if there was anything I could have done better (aside from not hiring a lawyer from the start), but if good men out there are going through the same thing, I’d urge you to know about this, and prepare for it.