Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

I think my Marriage is over

Options
1356

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,690 ✭✭✭Mokuba


    Do not move out unless ordered to by a court. Do not agree to move out without being forced to. Write down times, dates. Document your wifes absence from the home, from parental duties, from everything.

    Get ready for a fight and stand up for yourself. You did not start this. Stop doing things to help her. She doesn't care about you anymore and is trying to ruin your life. She is literally trying to ruin your life. Wake up man. You still seem in a daze but you need to get out of it or you will wind up with just weekends with the kids and a rented apartment. She wants to take you to court. The relationship is unsalvagable. Stop lieing there and taking it, fight back.


  • Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭tmalmb


    thanks for all the support, sadly mediation didn't go well. Initially it was ok, then the accusations and lies started, I responded calmly and we proceeded to the individual consultation, by the time my turn came my wife had left and decided mediation was not how she wanted to proceed :(

    So now, I have two court cases to fight based on the lies she told to the guards and courts, after that who knows...I guess it all depends on the outcome of these cases.

    I am hanging in there although its damn hard living in this situation, i cannot afford to run two homes (who can these days) but more importantly I cannot leave my kids and I'm toughing it out for them (although I sometimes wonder would it be better if I left and setup home close by....its really hard to know the right move, I've spoken to 2 solicitors, one says stay, the other says maybe moving out will help calm things down...maybe a I need a third opinion :-) )


  • Registered Users Posts: 303 ✭✭Ann84


    I don't think your really surprised. Don't move out, and stop getting upset, well not publicly...
    Just calmly go about your business in the house and do not get dragged into arguments, just focus on you and the kids and ride it out, she will eventually calm down, she may make herself look like a complete lunatic in the process but her behaviour is her responsibility. The fact that she won't attend mediation will not stand in her favour. Keep trying to reardange and just start focusing on you...

    Ps it's a shame it didn't go well however, keep at the mediation, it really is the best forum for separating amicably long term...


  • Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭tmalmb


    thanks, I'll take that approach


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭stickybookmark


    tmalmb wrote: »
    thanks for all the support, sadly mediation didn't go well. Initially it was ok, then the accusations and lies started, I responded calmly and we proceeded to the individual consultation, by the time my turn came my wife had left and decided mediation was not how she wanted to proceed :(

    So now, I have two court cases to fight based on the lies she told to the guards and courts, after that who knows...I guess it all depends on the outcome of these cases.

    I would say this happens in mediation alot. The woman isn't getting her way so she gets emotional and storms off. Coz that's really going to help the situation! Deep down she doesn't want mediation which = compromise. She just wants everything her own way. Her way or the highway so that's why she's not interested in mediation coz that involves taking your opinion into account and her having to listen to unsavoury things about herself.

    I really think you're in a stronger position here than you realise because of the age of your kids. If your kids were yougn she could pack them into the car in the morning and head off into the sunset with them and there's nothing you could do, but coz of their ages she can't do that.

    Re these court cases - they will not be pleasant but the guards are well used to women bringing these kind of cases falsely trying to get their hands on the family home. So you'd be surprised but deep down the guards could be on your side not hers. You have grown up teenage children that are willing to testify in your defence, I would heavily capitalise on that. Are you arranging to bring one of your children along to each of the cases to testify in your defence?

    <SNIP> Re the court cases from experience I would say expect the unexpected. Expect her to stoop lower than you ever thought possible, and be prepared for that.
    Is she bringing a solicitor? You don't want to end up with her having a solicitor and you not. Who are you bringing to that case for moral support? Can you bring a member of your family along, or even a few (sisters, brothers, parents) alot of it is psychological in court on the day and if you're there surrounded by support that gives you an advantage straight away. But if you're on your own and she has a solicitor, a sister and a friend there then you're at a disadvantage. You need support in court, both legal and moral support.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 497 ✭✭castle


    I think your wife is actually depressed and maybe is a danger to you and your children,
    If I was you I would start recording the conversation's between the two of you ,also why can't she move in with her parents for a while ,the law has changed alot in a manner that it is more fairer to the man than ever before . FLAC is great for free legal aid .
    I would not be surprised if she has been having an affair for a few years don't be shocked if that is the case and of course she will lie about it .
    When you have conversations with her try have another person present .


  • Registered Users Posts: 33,519 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    @stickybookmark - please note that the requesting or sending of PMs through Personal Issues is not allowed.

    dudara


  • Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭tmalmb


    So yesterdays court appearance was adjourned to a later date as still no formal paper work/statements received, so its looks like the next appearance will be to challenge the request for a barring order :-/

    Does anyone have experience with these types of hearings, I need to now hire a solicitor to deal with that issue :/

    thanks


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭tara73


    tmalmb wrote: »
    So yesterdays court appearance was adjourned to a later date as still no formal paper work/statements received, so its looks like the next appearance will be to challenge the request for a barring order :-/

    Does anyone have experience with these types of hearings, I need to now hire a solicitor to deal with that issue :/

    thanks

    so she makes the request for a barring order? barring you against her or against the kids?
    sorry, but if I remember this thread well, your kids are on your side. Is it not possible they testify against her at this stage?


  • Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭tmalmb


    her,kids and home :'(

    My kids are willing to speak on my behalf, my concern or worry is...is this fair on the kids to put them in this position..I was hoping that the judge would see through the lies (i'm probably being naive here)


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭tara73


    tmalmb wrote: »
    her,kids and home :'(

    My kids are willing to speak on my behalf, my concern or worry is...is this fair on the kids to put them in this position..I was hoping that the judge would see through the lies (i'm probably being naive here)


    that's really understandable, I was thinking that too.
    how are they doing anyway, sure it depends on how they feel, only you and the kids can figure it out together what to do is best.
    I was wondeering, what kind of relationship they have with their mom now? I presume the whole arrangement must be almost unbearable, all living under the same roof with this horrible conflicts?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭stickybookmark


    tmalmb wrote: »
    ...is this fair on the kids to put them in this position..

    It's not fair but desperate times call for desperate measures. They are young adults. You've spoken to them and they are willing to do this for you. It's not going to be nice for anybody but SHE has forced you into this position of having to get your kids to speak for you in court remember, not you.

    If she didn't concoct lies, you wouldn't have to go down this route.

    Are you near Dublin at all? There's a single father's support group -or the angry man's club as I used to call them :p- that meets Mon or Tues every week. The guys in there can give you great advice about fighting these types of court cases.

    http://www.uspi.ie/


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,454 ✭✭✭Clearlier


    tmalmb wrote: »
    her,kids and home :'(

    My kids are willing to speak on my behalf, my concern or worry is...is this fair on the kids to put them in this position..I was hoping that the judge would see through the lies (i'm probably being naive here)

    That strikes me as inaccurate. She's the one seeking a barring order to prevent you from seeing your children so she's very much the one putting your children in this position. Regardless of how she's feeling there are many better alternative approaches that she could have taken yet she has chosen this one.

    I'm just an observer so take this with as big a pinch of salt as you think appropriate but it reads like you're still coming to terms with the break up of your marriage whereas your wife is much further down that road.

    Her behaviour is that of a loose cannon with little sense of responsibility but right now she is getting away with it. Would you consider writing a diary of what's happened including specific actions and dates (you may be able to use this thread to help with that)? Putting it down on pen and paper can sometimes help to clarify what's going on.

    You also need to engage a good solicitor immediately. I understand that it must seem like an unnecessary waste of money but you need someone objective to fight your corner. What happens now will have a profound impact on the rest of your life.

    It's a horrible situation to be in and my heart goes out to you.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭Virgil°


    Its tough times OP. I really feel for you. My uncle went through something similar.

    It's not gonna be easy but I'd strongly advise that you filter as much communication as possible with your wife through your solicitor. Don't be dragged into arguments or disputes.

    Also I may have misread it but do you have a text from her that says something along the lines of "If you leave the house I'll drop the case"? Can you potentially use this as evidence to weaken your wifes case? A text like that,in my view, would be a strong indication of someone who is just trying to shaft you out of house and home.


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    tmalmb wrote: »
    her,kids and home :'(

    My kids are willing to speak on my behalf, my concern or worry is...is this fair on the kids to put them in this position..I was hoping that the judge would see through the lies (i'm probably being naive here)

    Fair on the kids? You're defending them against the potential of being told they can not see you anymore.

    Your kids would be horrified if you let your ex-wife have you barred from seeing them? Without allowing them to have their say. Wouldnt they?

    Just a thought.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭Ace Attorney


    Hey, i just stumbled across your thread, Op just wishing you the best and my support . You seem like a very decent person, wanting whats best for your kids. Take care of yourself too tho, you are probably under a lot of pressure too from all the court cases and whatnot. We're routing for you! :-)


  • Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭tmalmb


    Well just when I thought my week couldn't get worse, this morning I was making breakfast for the kids and there was a knock on the hall door...it was the guards, my wife had called and claimed I breached the order again....its been a tough couple of days where the kids were challenging her on her behaviour which she blamed me for 😕

    Give the protection order, I was removed from the house, spent 3 hrs in a cell and brought before the judge....to avoid PRISON, I had to give the guards an address that I can move to...thankfully I knew one person with a spare room and I had the guards on my side who pushed for bail.

    I'm now sitting having coffee, waiting till my wife leaves the house so I can pack up some things and move 😢.

    I thought August was the worst time ever...this definitely trumps it...my kids are distraught, they watched me being hauled away, they told the guards nothing happened but to no avail.

    This legal system while there to protect leaves itself open to mis-use...I'm the one being bullied and persecuted but I have no protection from the law.

    I'm horrified as to my situation, I have to leave my kids into the hands of a very sick woman until I can source accommodation for me and the kids

    I get to meet my solicitors on Tues to figure out next steps...I only hope things will turn in my favour


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,226 ✭✭✭nikkibikki


    I'm so angry for you OP. And for your kids. And for the countless men and women all throughout the country who these laws were made for, and people like your wife taking advantage of these protection orders making false accusations and thus the real victims of domestic violence have to fight harder to prove it and have people doubt and disbelieve them. It's disgusting behavior IMO.

    Back to your immediate situation, not sure of your financial situation but is there any way you and the kids can take a break away for the weekend to a hotel or a self catering holiday house or something? Or is that the worst idea ever?

    For court, would a letter from your kids be accepted if you don't want them to have to appear in court?

    It's unfortunate that things have come to this. But stay strong for your kids. They need you more than ever.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭tara73


    jesus, I really don't get it. since when can one person accuse the other of sth. and the guards/judges can act on it without investigations if the accusations are right, putting husbands in prison and what else next?
    what's that for a law system?

    and sorry, but at this stage I ask myself are you telling us the whole story?
    this woman, your wife, seems to be gone crazy from one second to another, no real explanation to it, all her lies are taking up by the judges and whoever is involved and they believe her, act on it, putting up a barring order, wanting to put you in prison without any further investigations.
    your kids are on your side but nobody is listening to them i.e they are not able to stand up for you and themselves at this stage ???
    what about her parents? I remember you wrote they are kind on your side too?

    sorry again, but this all sounds so unbelievable that I actually ask myself if you are giving us the whole story here or what kind of story this is...


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,376 ✭✭✭FishOnABike


    Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. It's an emotionally bruising and battering rollercoaster.

    What your wife is doing is utterly selfish and psychological abuse of both you and your (plural) children.

    Your wife has shown herself to be capable of repeatedly lying to get what she wants without regard for the effect on others. Don't expect any different when it comes to court.

    Difficult as it may be you need to put the grief around the ending of your marriage to one side. Your wife is no longer the person you loved so don't not let yourself be swayed by any residual feelings towards your wife when it comes to deciding what is best for your children and yourself.

    Your children have said they are willing to support you. Accept their offer. They won't thank you for denying them a voice in deciding their future. If possible submit their evidence as a written affidavit. It is much harder for the court to ignore than a request that they are allowed give oral evidence.

    There is no reason why you should not remain in the family home as the primary carer for your(pl.) children and every reason why you should. With your(pl.) children's support it is possible.

    Consider if you should counter claim for a barring order against your wife. It would be unreasonable to share a house with someone who has repetedly made false and maliscious complaints against you. You cannot live on tenterhooks wondering when the next false allegation will be made.

    Your wife's parents live next to you. The simplest solution would be for her to move into her parent's house and you remain in the family home. This would allow your(pl.) children have both parents near and as involved in their day to day lives as everyone wants. Be prepared to show the court how this is in your(pl.) children's best interests. Again put it in writing and lodge it with the court before the hearing. Putting it on written record makes it more difficult for the court to ignore.

    Lastly don't be afraid to ask yourself if your solicitor is doing their best to represent you or are they taking the path of least resistance. They get paid for their day in court whether they have done their utmost or just a minimal effort to represent you. If you feel they are not pulling their weight give them clear written instructions and don't be afraid to find a better solicitor if needs be.

    It's a tough road but you have your children behind you. Do what you believe is best for them. Take help when it is offered openly and regret nothing.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 5,999 ✭✭✭sReq | uTeK


    tmalmb wrote: »
    Well just when I thought my week couldn't get worse, this morning I was making breakfast for the kids and there was a knock on the hall door...it was the guards, my wife had called and claimed I breached the order again....its been a tough couple of days where the kids were challenging her on her behaviour which she blamed me for 😕

    Give the protection order, I was removed from the house, spent 3 hrs in a cell and brought before the judge....to avoid PRISON, I had to give the guards an address that I can move to...thankfully I knew one person with a spare room and I had the guards on my side who pushed for bail.

    I'm now sitting having coffee, waiting till my wife leaves the house so I can pack up some things and move 😢.

    I thought August was the worst time ever...this definitely trumps it...my kids are distraught, they watched me being hauled away, they told the guards nothing happened but to no avail.

    This legal system while there to protect leaves itself open to mis-use...I'm the one being bullied and persecuted but I have no protection from the law.

    I'm horrified as to my situation, I have to leave my kids into the hands of a very sick woman until I can source accommodation for me and the kids

    I get to meet my solicitors on Tues to figure out next steps...I only hope things will turn in my favour

    You're putting yourself in this position and I'm starting to have less and less sympathy for you, not only that you're not doing what's best for your kids by letting your wife bully you into submission. You need to get with the times and play her at her game.

    First port of call is getting the kids to tell it how it is in a statement so you can avoid court, move back into your house and start raising your kids in a non hostile environment.

    Maybe when your wife realises that her lies are no longer helping her this whole thing will come to a head.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,572 ✭✭✭Colser


    You're putting yourself in this position and I'm starting to have less and less sympathy for you, not only that you're not doing what's best for yihr kids by letting your wife bully you into submission. You need to get with the times and play her at her game.

    First port of call is getting the kids to tell it how it is in a statement so you can avoid court, move back into your house and start raising your kids in a non hostile environment.

    Maybe when your wife realises that her lies are no longer helping her this whole thing will come to a head.

    Im not disagreeing with you here but as they say you can catch a cheat but its hard to catch a liar.
    The guards have to take her at her word as there are women in that position that are telling the truth and its not their place to decide who to believe or not believe(that would be impossible anyway).

    OP Ive no doubt theres alot more to the story unless your wife suddenly just flipped. Do you think that she was left to do everything where your children and her parents were concerned? Did you support/help her enough? Was there any reason for her to suspect that you were up to anything with anyone else?
    As a woman and someone who is going through similar(no barring orders) there is usually a straw that breaks the camels back and then enough is enough and you just want out.
    I know you might not want to say it here but can you see any of this from her point of view? Im guessing that she challenged you about a few things but you ignored her as you never thought that it would come to this but now you may realise what you had and it may be too late.
    If any of that is near the truth what might be worth a try is getting her to meet somewhere and admitting that you werent as good a partner as you could have been and telling her genuinely how you feel about her and get some help to get on track again.
    I think if the relationship had just run its course then she wouldnt be so angry or vindictive..something has pushed her over the edge imo.
    I could be wrong and if so then keep your distance and let the court deal with it but Ive seen many instances where the woman has been portrayed as the nutter/psycho when there was a lot more to the actual reality of what was going on in the relationship.
    btw Im not siding with her and I totally disagree with her telling lies to the guards ect but as I say you know more than us and maybe at the back of your mind you can see where she is coming from with regards to the way she is feeling. Best of luck to you both.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,168 ✭✭✭Ursus Horribilis


    OP, I've been following this thread and feel so sorry for you. I've got a family member who's going through something like this now. He has discovered to his cost that being nice isn't always the right thing to do. I can understand why you don't want to drag your kids into this but at this stage I believe you would be shooting yourself in the foot if you don't give them the opportunity. Your wife has shown that she'll stop at nothing to destroy you.


  • Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    OP - can't imagine how you're feeling but in line with other posters it sounds like it's time to fight fire with fire. Accept that even if your wife turned a corner in the morning, her actions must have caused an irrevocable breakdown in trust that could never feasibly be overcome. Your sentimentality is weakening you, from what you describe she isn't out to separate, she's out to destroy you. Use every avenue you have to protect yourself and your children, and don't allow sentimentality for an unsalvageable situation to stop you from doing what needs to be done. It sounds like you have grounds for barring orders against her that are entirely justified and you can sleep easy in starting those sorts of proceedings. You've tried doing the right thing for you both and she's thrown it in your face, so so the right thing for you and she can live with the consequences.

    Good luck op.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,999 ✭✭✭sReq | uTeK


    Colser wrote: »
    Im not disagreeing with you here but as they say you can catch a cheat but its hard to catch a liar.
    The guards have to take her at her word as there are women in that position that are telling the truth and its not their place to decide who to believe or not believe(that would be impossible anyway).

    OP Ive no doubt theres alot more to the story unless your wife suddenly just flipped. Do you think that she was left to do everything where your children and her parents were concerned? Did you support/help her enough? Was there any reason for her to suspect that you were up to anything with anyone else?
    As a woman and someone who is going through similar(no barring orders) there is usually a straw that breaks the camels back and then enough is enough and you just want out.
    I know you might not want to say it here but can you see any of this from her point of view? Im guessing that she challenged you about a few things but you ignored her as you never thought that it would come to this but now you may realise what you had and it may be too late.
    If any of that is near the truth what might be worth a try is getting her to meet somewhere and admitting that you werent as good a partner as you could have been and telling her genuinely how you feel about her and get some help to get on track again.
    I think if the relationship had just run its course then she wouldnt be so angry or vindictive..something has pushed her over the edge imo.
    I could be wrong and if so then keep your distance and let the court deal with it but Ive seen many instances where the woman has been portrayed as the nutter/psycho when there was a lot more to the actual reality of what was going on in the relationship.
    btw Im not siding with her and I totally disagree with her telling lies to the guards ect but as I say you know more than us and maybe at the back of your mind you can see where she is coming from with regards to the way she is feeling. Best of luck to you both.

    Her lies can easily be exposed by simply doing what the kids have said they wanted to do, tell the truth?????

    Do you think they want to be with their mum when she is behaving like this, if I was those kids I'd be feeling quite resentful towards my father for what looks like a prolonged situation that could easily be rectified with the help of his kids.


  • Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭tmalmb


    tara73 wrote: »
    jesus, I really don't get it. since when can one person accuse the other of sth. and the guards/judges can act on it without investigations if the accusations are right, putting husbands in prison and what else next?
    what's that for a law system?

    and sorry, but at this stage I ask myself are you telling us the whole story?
    this woman, your wife, seems to be gone crazy from one second to another, no real explanation to it, all her lies are taking up by the judges and whoever is involved and they believe her, act on it, putting up a barring order, wanting to put you in prison without any further investigations.
    your kids are on your side but nobody is listening to them i.e they are not able to stand up for you and themselves at this stage ???
    what about her parents? I remember you wrote they are kind on your side too?

    sorry again, but this all sounds so unbelievable that I actually ask myself if you are giving us the whole story here or what kind of story this is...

    Its all very surreal, I just don't get how i'm in this situation...you have the whole story...i've done nothing, never misbehaved, never cheated...i've just become the focus point of her hate and she's doing whatever she can to get me :-(


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,122 ✭✭✭c montgomery


    I'm never getting married after reading this!

    Best of luck OP, it's a terrable situation and your wife sounds like a demented wagon.

    I would try and get a house big enough for your kids and let then choose where they want to live, I doubt it will be with that crazy b1tch.


  • Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭tmalmb


    packing yesterday with my children watching crying was soul destroying, saying goodbye was the hardest thing i've ever done.

    my kids will represent me in court...they have insisted, i'm talking with the solicitor Tues so will know the next steps and perhaps if these are the right solicitors to fight my corner through whatever means neccessary

    Two kids have insisted on leaving when I have a place sorted, the 3rd is lost and just doesn't know what to do (her mum plays on her softness and has been manipulating her)

    I'm off now to pick them up, their mom has insisted I don't come to the house (even though she is not there) so i'll meet them around the corner


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭stickybookmark


    She'll probably change the locks once you move out, but at least coz your kids are older, you can get a copy of the new keys. I'm sure you'll be able to prove in court that this barring order is a joke and you'll get your house back


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 5,572 ✭✭✭Colser


    I hope you didnt think that I was doubting you OP its just that there can be reasons for resentment to build up and get vented similar to what your wife is doing to you.
    Definitely get a solicitor that someone can recommend as some of them have very little interest in domestic situations. I would query if you can still go down the mediation route as she did attend once so you could argue that the judicial route wont suit her either..also think of the costs involved in a court battle and try to insist that you want mediation as a way of sorting it.

    What do you personally think triggered this to happen out of the blue in August and how do you feel towards your wife now? Dont underestimate hormones/menopause btw as theyre a bitch:pac: again Im not defending her but she either has a mental issue that suddenly occured or just hit a wall due to difficult home life with kids/parents and decided f* that ive had enough or has issues with you that you arent aware of and decided she just wants out.

    Do you think her age has anything to do with it and she feels shes lost out on things due to her responsibilities?
    Im really not defending her at all btw but I find it really odd that shes suddenly lashing out at you like this and going to extremes with guards ect and no one can even guess a reason for it.
    What do her family and friends think of it?


This discussion has been closed.
Advertisement