My Divorce Is Costing Me a Fortune ($200k and Counting)

Chris is going through a three-year divorce, struggling to finance it after exhausting significant assets. The protracted process stems from his ex-wife's private company shares, which required an extensive discovery and forensic accounting process due to the company's unwillingness to provide information. This has cost him approximately $200,000, leading him to accumulate $30,000 in credit card debt to cover attorney and accountant fees. The divorce has dragged on because the stock price of the company changes every March, and the couple owns about 300,000 shares. A dollar fluctuation in share price could mean a half-million-dollar difference annually, with a potential $1.7 million difference between 2025 and 2026. This makes Chris feel like he's "getting richer and poorer at the same time." Despite multiple mediation attempts, the parties remain far apart on numbers, necessitating a trial. However, the trial date keeps getting pushed due to non-cooperation from his ex-wife's side, leading Chris to believe she is intentionally drawing out the process to financially drain him. While the company's bylaws clearly outline how shares are split in a divorce, the discovery and forensic accounting phases were the most time-consuming and costly. Chris's lawyer anticipates a meeting in May to set a new trial date, likely in September, meaning the process could continue for another year, incurring another $100,000 in debt. Chris feels stuck, unable to exit the process. His net worth includes two properties in the Carolinas, one of which burned down, valued at $50,000 and $156,000 respectively. His income fluctuates, averaging around $100,000 annually from his medical equipment company. The advice given is to cut his losses, sell the properties to pay off debt, and set a definitive breaking point to avoid continuous debt. It's compared to a gambling addiction, where he keeps doubling down. Despite the potential for significant financial gain, the risk, stress, and emotional toll are deemed too high. The hosts question why the process is so complex if the company's bylaws clearly state how shares are handled in a divorce. They suggest grieving the potential loss of a large sum of money and moving on.