Final decree was signed 2/3/2026 in GA in a county known to be friendly to women in divorce cases. I (57M) was the plaintiff. She (F54), the defendant. I initially filed on 12/19/2023 on the grounds that the marriage was Irretrievably Broken, but amended to Cruel Treatment. Her original counterclaim was Cruel Treatment. We were separated for about 2.5 years.

She demanded a jury trial. I'd tried to settle fairly in mediation in August of 2024. She attended but refused to participate. I made a formal settlement offer in October of 2025 which would have given her 52% of the assets. She and her attorney never acknowledged the offer, much less negotiated.

She demanded 100% value and possession of the ~$685k marital home. Purchase price was $520k. I (alone) secured a 15 yr loan in '21 at 2.75% for $416k w/20% down. Principal is now about $300k. Although I'd moved out in November of 2023, I ended up paying the entirety of the mortgage payment, the HOA dues, and utilities for the marital home from May of 2024 to present. I had to move those finances to my individual checking to protect the payments from her overdrafts in joint checking. She hasn't made about $15k-$20k of home repair in the 2.5 she occupied the home without other living expenses.

She demanded $3k monthly in alimony for 60 months. She's been an RN for 20+ years. I'm now a business and technology consultant, having been laid off (again) from my job as an IT executive last October. She has an ASN in Nursing with her license, having made at least 3 unsuccessful attempts to earn her undergraduate or higher. I have an MBA.

She demanded some of my inherited family possessions. My dad had a successful military career and she felt she deserved some of his memorabilia. He was a leader in an organization most would recognize.

She demanded half of my 220k Delta SkyMiles. Look up the "USD conversion rate." Go figure.

Our cash, investment, and retirements accounts were not excessive but were significant with most of the value in my name. Despite almost all being marital assets, she didn't really lay claim to any of those except her own. We each have a nice automobile. She just purchased hers with a trade-in and is "upside down" on value. Mine was paid off in October.

The trial started on 1/27/2025. My attorney was "hometown" to the jurisdiction. Mine was from a more affluent, developed area of metro Atlanta but still OTP. The attorneys estimated a 2 day trial. It went 4. The judge was INCREDIBLY fair to both sides and worked very hard to keep the trial on a manageable schedule. We both had the same people on our "may call" witness lists except my home appraiser, her home appraiser, and her forensic accountant. The rest were family and friends.

The expert witnesses testified. Our adult children testified. Her ex-best friend testified. The jury asked for a whiteboard, a calculator, and deliberated about 2 hours.

The jury found and awarded...

Grant of divorce in my favor on the grounds of her Cruel Treatment against me.

She receives no alimony.

The house to be sold with 70% of the net proceeds to go to me and 30% to her. I was awarded "full control" of all sale decisions. Price, realtor, etc. I have 30 days to list the house. She has 45 days to vacate. She is awarded whatever "contents" she wants in leaving. I continue to make the mortgage payments through the sale.

All of our named cash, credit, investment, and retirement accounts remain with respective owners.

She is awarded no claim to my new business.

She is awarded none of my SkyMiles.

I am awarded my father's military memorabilia.

The separation was an eternity. The trial was a whirlwind. I'll try to answer any questions you have.

Take heart. Justice is real.