Minnesota Divorce

Location: Minnesota

My ex-husband diverted about $200,000 from marital account, concealed by his girlfriend and her son who is an licensed investment fund manager. My ex then did not pay the mortgage, he assured me he was paying, but went into foreclosure and he refused to pay the $36,000 to save the mortgage BECAUSE he was buying a house with the girlfriend—in her name. He removed me as beneficiary to $750k life insurance and added the girlfriend who had significant inherited wealth. I tried to get the court to order that he pay the $36,000, but my ex told the court that he was “broke,” and my attorney then flipped on me and asked if I could buy the house. I fired the attorney, filed a complaint with the MN Legal Professionals Ethics board and they found attorney guilty of ethics violation but no financial gain. My ex had talked me into taking an early retirement on a phased program that would cover benefit, including continued investment in my MnSCU pension. But as soon as I signed the contract my ex told me he’d been living a secret life as a sex predator for the entire 18 years of our marriage and was also engaged to two other women. He then shut down all bank accounts, stopped paying all bills - and for the first time in 30 years I did not have enough income to support myself. The judge and ex-s attorneys treated me like I was a “vengeful, greedy wife,” actually mocking me thorough out endless hearings. I petitioned the court FIVE times for temporary support so I could finish out 4-years phased retirement and protect my IRAP pension fund. But my ex kept telling the court that he was “broke,” refused to provide financial documents, and the judge did nothing. Later, ex disclosed income of more than $200,000 that year, like most years, all cash. But I was stuck pulling funds prematurely from my retirement account. The judge said “sorry to hear that” when I kept telling him I was losing everything. The judge at the end realized my ex had played him, and ordered spousal support, but at 50% of guidelines for 4 years so that at the age of 63 I would have time to develop a new career. He ordered support at 50% because ex said he was going to pay “marital debt” although it was his business tax debt and of course he filed bankruptcy and the IRS waived the debt.

My ex now pays $115.00 every month, though still owing more than $100,000. I am 72 years old, can’t keep working, but I have nothing. When I try to collect, my ex always has some “exemption” and waived. This past week I left message, he won’t talk directly, asking for him to pull funds from his accounts and pay off the delinquent support. He sent note back stating: “You’re begging for money is pathetic. You should be ashamed of yourself. You’re lucky I even try to help you. You’re disgusting.” The MN family court is a clown show. They have shockingly misogynist concept and attitude about spousal support. NO lawyer will help me, or they suggest doing exactly the same legal steps I’ve done and the outcome will be exactly the same, or worse. Why is it acceptable for a spouse to steal, swindle, divert, conceal assets with no regard for even basic safety of the partner they are abusing? I taught college English for 30 years, carefully managed my pension—precisely why my ex set me up to lose it. I’m thinking that my only hope is to write this book…. I have been able to get the court to issue Judgments (4) for about 1/2 the total due. I’m thinking that monitoring these funds & renewing at 10 years so eventually will attach to some property and then maybe retrieve a fraction. Is it possible to file a civil lawsuit against ex, his girlfriend, and the son/licensed investment manager? I appreciate any advice!