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February 20, 2017 11:48 am  #1


Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

One year ago I discovered Honey Bunches had a Porn/Sex addiction and was hooking up with men on CraigsList.

The damage from years of living with this man who clearly has mental health issues took a heavy toll but at least I figured out what my confusion/pain/fight or flight triggering was actually about.      It was shocking to say the least and as I processed the damage from years of realizing I was a cover for his addictions.

Porn - Gay sex - Kinky sex and substance abuse - this was his life and he used me to be a stable cover so he could continue to excel in his work and enjoy the comforts of a stable home.  Only it was not stable for me.  He triggered me all the time - coming home "altered" - feeling something was wrong but not knowing what it was.  I even thought he may be schizophrenic.   Jump to current -    I finally found a lawyer and I realize Honey Bunches has been moving money and hiding money for years.    I am much older and my future is in danger.   I need to understand what the impact of his behavior has done to my mental health and financial picture.   I believe I need to fight for spousal support - permanent as I am truly damaged and afraid for my mental health and future.   I will work hard to get my life back and rebuild a career but at 61 - this is very scary.

Do you have experience similar to mine?   My lawyer said we can do a psych evaluation through the courts and they will prob want to do a rehabilitation evaluation to see if I am employable.

I am looking for advice for the DIVORCE and how to plan and prepare to best protect my future.

Thank you.

Last edited by JoanTullMN (February 20, 2017 11:49 am)

 

February 20, 2017 7:38 pm  #2


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

Joan, I'm guessing maybe you live in MN? Not sure.  If you do, and he hasn't totally drained your finances, you are entitled to half of your assets, not just cash, including pension as well.  In addition, I believe it is called spousal maintenance in MN.  Even if he has moved money, as long as you know where it is, you'll be entitled to half of that, even if it has to be subpoenaed.    Look in your community for a women's center, typically connected with Universities and Community Colleges.  If you PM me and are wiling to share the state or even city you live in, I'll check my resource bank and send you contact numbers.  

Don't give up hope.  I know it's scary at 61.  There are several options for everything from living expenses to counseling resources, no matter what your income is.  

Perhaps I'm reading wrong, but what the hell is your lawyer talking about?  Certainly not that YOU undergo psychological evaluation?  Why would you need to do that?  To prove hardship?  You don't need more stress in your life and you don't need to prove to anyone you need assistance.  Your husband is responsible under the law.   If I read wrong, and he means to show your husband is unstable and in need of rehabilitation, good luck on that.  It will only add fuel to the fire. 

Stay strong.  Keep posting. 


“Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely of places.”
 

February 20, 2017 8:34 pm  #3


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

In my state all money/assets/accounts need to be declared.  They are split 50/50.

I urge you to snoop and see if you can find any account information.  Other than lying to the court he has to declare all his accounts..you list yours and all the ones you know about.

Keep in mind also..he is also entitled to half of the debt.

A sad welcome to our forum.


"For we walk by faith, not by sight .."  2Corinthians 5:7
 

February 22, 2017 11:02 am  #4


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

If you can't trace all the money, your lawyer should help you to be able to secure a forensic accountant.  They are able to trace the money, and what's been happening.  That way you can claim the stuff that he's been hiding that might not come to light otherwise.

Kel


You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.
 

February 22, 2017 2:30 pm  #5


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

Hi All, 

Thanks for the responses.   The lawyer that recommended and asked if I would be willing to be psych evaluated did not state her intentions but I believe she was going to use it for a case to ask for perm spousal maintenance. Then she told me my husband gets to help pick who it is that is chosen for my evaluation.    It's all so horrid but I do have real anxiety for my future and the mental state that I am in.  It's scary for me as I have no family or children and this is devastating - I realize it's happening to many people. I do not want to sound like I am making excuses but living in this situation for years - I lost self esteem and I truly lost myself.  I did not sleep well and he did encourage me to not work and stay at home.  I see now this is perfect for him as I did become very dependent and lost footing on my self and my goals as I focused on trying to help his issues and he was able to live out his agenda and make plans for his future.  I became a stable force for him as he lived his separate agenda while at the same time I supported his ability to study at night and advance his career and I took on all responsibilities for the house/ maintenance.  ALL.   It does break my heart how much I did in fact give up while he clearly advanced and planned for another life.   I think he would have stayed with me until he found exactly what he wanted and then left that way.  In hind sight - I see this and moving money is most hurtful and now he won't come forward - I have to spend another year or two divorcing and going in debt to do so.  It's very stressful as I also try to eek out a career and plan for aging.   Very painful.    I simply do not feel protected by "no-fault" but it is what it is.        I am going to have to trust the lawyer I have and we are beginning the process.   I understand we most likely will find money moved but if it is not retrievable I am hoping the judge will somehow say it has to be paid back.   From what I understand he can just move on without justifying the LOOTING of our accounts.   That is what I fear.   Meanwhile, he is not well and clearly has a chemical imbalance with these addictions.   

I am hoping the courts will help protect my future - and if money is gone - I will somehow be credited because he makes good money.   We have a house with not much equity.  I hope I can stay in the house to build the equity while I work to build my income.   I am working hard to heal and be positive with forgiveness and love.   It's most comforting to forgive and love.    He has a sex addiction and I can not change it.
Thank you!

     Thread Starter
 

February 23, 2017 4:47 pm  #6


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

So I found Honey Bunches last night in a bar where I thought he would be.   NO big deal.  Just a social casual restaraunt bar - whereever it is near where he "lives".  NO clue what that is about.   Anyway... my love, concern and care for him - I went looking as he had NO communication. His head is clearly not in realty and impending divorce.   With love I found him.   Happy to see him.   I hug... I love ... we talk.  He agrees to come home after 6 weeks of living whereever it is.  No clue.   He discloses to me that he is crossdressing and wants to understand what it is like to feel like a woman making love to a man.  Okay!  I can deal with that and I DO respect that he has disclosed that to me.  Is he doing it from the Narcississtic Personality Wrench Thrower that I have experienced or the vulnerable loving man that I know.  NO CLUE.  I choose to embrace honesty and honor his disclosure.   Have to give credit for releasing vulnerable info... if in fact true.   So now I find he has shaved his entire chest torso and underarm and he explains to me that he wants to know what it feels like to be a woman making love to a man so he can be a woman making love to a man.     Dizzying as it is.  I get it.  I appreciate and love this man.  It's so complicated.   So complex.   Mental health issues, substance abuse issues, childhood trauma issues, sexual identity issues.   I try again to clarify... get therapy.   Get support.    Move through this divorce with MINIMAL DAMAGE to our finances... settle - work on our investments.   It's still a giant disaster and he is out of control - now I have to compete with whomever is on the other side of "his body" pleasing and guiding him for who's benefit.   This is a holy disaster and though I love him and want him happy.   I HAVE TO PROTECT MYSELF.   I'm trying.   thanks for listening!  xx

     Thread Starter
 

February 23, 2017 7:12 pm  #7


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

I surely hope you are NOT even considering having sex with this man.

 

February 23, 2017 7:13 pm  #8


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

Joan, Yes, you do have to protect yourself.  I think what you are doing, for what it's worth, is amazingly loving.  But you aren't dealing with a person who is of sound mind or behaviors.  Do you have access to your accounts?  Make copies of all of the statements now.  
What is he hoping will happen?   Is he even rational enough to mediate a case without too much in attorney fees? 


“Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely of places.”
 

February 23, 2017 9:19 pm  #9


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

So now that "whatasham" is less frequent a visitor, I am going to try to channel her.  (with respect, Sham)  
Joan, ask yourself: How can your biologically male husband know what it is to "make love as a woman"?  Ask yourself: Are you prepared for your crossdressing husband to come back into your life and your house and your bed and declare that he "knows" what it "feels like" to "be a woman"? Ask yourself: "How could he know, being male?" Ask yourself: "How can I want to be married to a man who wants to be a woman and sleep with men?"   I am married to a man who has some of these same desires, and let me tell you: you mean much less to him than his desire to "feel like" a woman (as if, being male, and living his whole life as a man, he could in fact know what being a woman feels like).  He knows nothing of what it is to be a woman.  What he believes defines "woman" is a bullsh-t male fantasy.  
 Here's my take, derived from experience, and my advice, also so derived: Get the hell out.  Now.  Don't go looking for him.  Don't empathize with him.  Don't look for reasons or excuses.  Don't ask him to come home.  You may "love this man" but he doesn't want to be loved "as a man."  And while you're at it, take a good look at yourself in the mirror and ask why you would choose to let yourself in for this misery.  

Last edited by OutofHisCloset (February 23, 2017 9:49 pm)

 

February 24, 2017 10:58 am  #10


Re: Betrayal and Divorce - Psychological Damage in Court

With great respect for your mental state and emotional heartache, I ask and say the following:

I.Don't.Under.Stand.  I thought you were divorcing.  You have been living separate.  But you feel the need to go find him if he goes into incommunicado?  WHY???  You're DIVORCING.  That means you're separating your lives.  Once you reach this state of the relationship, you should no longer be trying to support each other.  You cannot do that without pulling the other person away from their trajectory - which is AWAY from each other.

You should no longer be privy to his innermost thoughts about his sexuality.  Why?  Because it doesn't matter anymore where he wants to go - he will be doing it separate from you.  You have NO.REASON to know that information because it ONLY serves to pull you back in, hurt you, and put you in the position of being supportive.  He knows that this new lifestyle and his old marriage don't work together.  You do, too.  THAT is why you're divorcing.  You need to start protecting yourself by going no contact.  You can communicate with him through the lawyer, for absolutely necessary purposes.  "Where is the car payment payment booklet?", or "The house listing agent needs you to sign off on paperwork so we can list the house."  Then give the lawyer the agent's name so that HE can contact that person directly.  No more you meeting him to get shit done.

You might be doing what many of us have done, which is to use supporting them as our excuse for remaining in contact and intertwined in their lives.  And that's understandable - they often get us to the point where we have no self esteem or belief in ourselves any longer, so we go to them for any positive affirmation.  Or we go help them as a way to feel good about ourselves (it's called codependency).  But you need to start being honest with yourself about why you're needing to seek out a person to help them when they've lied and stolen from you and essentially hijacked your life.  I don't care what he's been through, continuing to let him have access to any of you (especially your emotional self) is TOXIC to you.  You've become so empty that filling the space with toxic emotions is better than none.  You can't continue to feed that.  You NEED to get away from the person who's decided that you were nothing more than a means to an end.  You're at the END.  MAKE it the end.

I can suggest ways for you to start building your own life so that you don't feel the void as much.  But you need to start building your own world now - with him no longer in it.  With no longer knowing that he wants to feel the touch of a man.  With him no longer acting like a wounded bird while he's pickpocketing you.  You need to let your head lead now, because your heart's so trashed that it can't lead properly any longer.

I wish you the best -

Kel


You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.
 

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