A story for you, which now I understand things better, makes a lot of sense. Seemed insane at the time.

My Dads' brother is a couple of years younger than him, and was always a bit more laddish and a live wire when they were young, according to reports.

He lived at home until his early 30s, until he hit upon a business idea, to become a metal dealer in the local area. He built this up himself over 2 decades, eventually getting contracts with auto trade, movie studios, etc., and making some serious money. He was worth over 4 million GBP at his peak.

During his rise, he met an attractive woman who he married. My Mum always said she didn't like her, that she was 'snooty'. The womans' family didn't like our family, either, considering us to be 'common'.

I was very young when all this was going on so didn't really have an opinion.

Anyway, he married her and they had 3 kids. He built a huge house for him and the family, in the beautiful UK countryside just north of London. His 3 kids were privately educated, and all attended prestige UK universities.

Just as the youngest was finishing university, in 2008, the shit hit the fan and he lost his business. Everything, gone. China also were making it impossible to make money selling metal in the UK.

So what did his wife do?

That's right. Divorced him and took everything. The house, his belonging, the cars, his tools, everything. Took the kids with her too.

My uncle was (is) a very strong and straight guy who never had a bad word for anyone. He is a great Dad to his kids and worked himself to the bone building a life for his family.

All that is gone though, as his wife caught the first whiff of ill-tides, 2 decades into the marriage, and bailed on him.

Anyway, after 8 years of fighting her in court, he lost, and is now left with 3000 GBP, and nowhere to live, and no job, with his kids gone and everything he built, destroyed.

She offered no help at all and just bolted.

Unreal.

Be careful out there boys. Be very fucking careful.

EDIT. To clarify, when I said she took the kids, I didn't mean in a custodial sense. She sold and moved out of the home he built, bought a large house with the money that became her and her childrens' 'home' should they ever wish to return home, have a holiday, etc. Also, moved her social circle away from my uncle, and did things like moving her adult childrens hobbies such as horse riding / stables, etc., to where she is now living. This means they rarely see their father, and certainly can't go and stay with him for the weekend or whatever. Sorry for the confusion. Should have worded that better!