[CA] I left my wife, and now I have all the debt and she has everything. What can I do?

1 point9 commentssubmitted by _____ENVOY_____ to r/legaladvice

I was married in 2009 in NC. We now live in California. Since then, I have been the primary breadwinner until six months ago, when I quit a job due to a drastically changed job description and health issues. It took just a few months for our marriage to collapse. After being yelled at for looking for work in a state she didn’t want to move to, I realized that we weren’t in it together anymore. I left. I drove to southern CA to stay with my brother while I figured things out.

A few years ago, she sold a URL for 15,000. She immediately put it into a private account and said it was hers, because the URL was purchased before we were married. This caused problems between us. I have accrued debt for her, given her exclusive use of my car for years, worked jobs I hated to maintain her lifestyle, etc. we’ve never had much money, but were getting by.

But now I am in a position where I am unemployed, with no money and 10,000 in debt. She recently separated all our bills, except the rent. When I asked the landlords for information about the process, she got very upset. Then emailed them, accusing me of going behind her back. Our relations have devolved sharply since then.

My main question and concern is this:

I wanted to part amicably, separate our belongings amicably, sign divorce papers amicably - but I feel like I am being naive. I’ve expressed this to her, and was told point blank that she’s already spoken to a divorce lawyer. She says her URL money is hers, that she has as much debt as I do (first I’ve heard of it), and that getting a divorce lawyer will just be a waste of money. People have told me the opposite. That I need to litigate to get what’s rightfully mine, and ensure my own security. We’re not talking big money, but I need to eat. My question is: should I get a divorce lawyer? How do I pay for one? What should I do? None of this was planned for, I never thought I’d be getting a divorce. I also never thought I’d be thrown under the bus financially. No idea what to so. Feeling very frightened, and very stupid right now, and would love some advice.

Thanks.