I used to be married to a “consumer” for 25 years. He had used others earlier than me. I used to be the breadwinner by means of its entirety. He hardly ever held any kind of job and went by means of all my belongings although his dad and mom have been highly effective and rich.
I used to be afraid to go away him attributable to their energy and was at all times informed by his dad and mom that every little thing would even be mine at their deaths. I attempted to get one thing legally in writing, however their legal professional suggested them towards it.
I caught it out. They handed away. I used to be left almost penniless whereas he inherited over half one million {dollars}, if no more. I used to be informed I’m not entitled to something he was bequeathed. He was an solely youngster.
I used to be informed that he may take half of my pension for all times and that I may must pay him alimony. I labored so arduous for a few years to be left with nothing. He’s even capable of obtain my Social Safety.
We acquired divorced 10 years in the past and it nonetheless stings. Do I’ve any recourse?
-Empty-Handed Ex
Pricey Empty-Handed,
There’s no state of affairs I can think about the place you’re capable of get a bit of your ex’s inheritance. I want I had higher information to give you. However maybe accepting it will make it easier to discover closure for a painful chapter of your life.
Even when one partner is the breadwinner, most cash earned throughout a wedding is taken into account marital property, which means it will get cut up between each spouses (although not essentially 50/50). However inheritances and items are often handled as separate property, which solely belong to 1 partner and aren’t divided up throughout divorce.
In case your late in-laws had supposed for each of you to inherit their cash, they need to have listed you as a beneficiary of their will or belief. I’m guessing they knew that and lied to you after they promised you half of every little thing. I’m so sorry you have been manipulated on this manner.
If it’s any comfort, maybe it’s that you just by no means must take care of your ex-husband once more. (You’re in all probability right in that he can use your work file to get Social Security, however that doesn’t have an effect on you in any manner.) Even when there was a risk of getting this cash, I’d think about you’d be in for a protracted and protracted courtroom struggle. And after 10 years, who is aware of if there’s even any cash left to struggle over?
It’s comprehensible why you’re nonetheless hurting, even 10 years later. You have been used and lied to, but you don’t have any recourse. However typically accepting an disagreeable actuality can truly be empowering.
You understand that you just’re not getting a bit of your ex-husband’s inheritance, so you may make plans accordingly. Perhaps that may imply working longer than you’d hoped or downsizing in retirement. These in all probability aren’t the options you wish to hear. However transferring ahead, a minimum of you may make choices primarily based on actuality, slightly than some distant hope of getting a part of an inheritance.
Ending this marriage clearly got here at a excessive value to you. That will nonetheless sting, however I hope you understand it was value each penny to have this man out of your life.
Robin Hartill is a licensed monetary planner and a senior author at The Penny Hoarder. Ship your difficult cash inquiries to [email protected].
