Q: I married my soon to be ex husband after only dating 3 months ... and quickly found myself in a scary/abusive marriage
After being married for only 6 months I filed for divorce to get myself out of such a bad scenario. Now my ex is trying to drag me through the mud... as I filed for divorce over one year ago and its still dragging out when we weren't together that long at all. In Arizona he doesn't have a right to the wedding ring since we actually did get married.
In an effort to get this over with I had agreed to give the ring back... however, at that time period the ring was being sold on consignment at a jeweler because I've needed the cash after going through all of this stuff. After agreeing to give the ring back I called the jeweler to let them know I'd be picking up the ring.. and was told that they had just sold the diamond!! Ugh
Now my ex is trying to say I lied under oath when I didnt... because for all I knew at the moment it wasnt sold. Am I in trouble or is there a way to get past this without it costing me a arm and a leg? He threatening to put a lien on my house now. Ugh.
A:
Divorce can be brutal. My condolences; I have had a less than pleasant divorce myself but it sounds like your spouse is more hard-headed than mine was.
Bear in mind this advice is based on less information than your average Tweet. You mention being under oath, I am presuming you must have been in a settlement conference if there were negotiations going on. It would help if you could show when you put the ring on consignment, when it sold (particularly if it sold the day you were in court or the day before - less helpful if it was more remote in time), and when you contacted the store to learn it had been sold.
With such a short duration, I cannot imagine you two accumulated a large marital estate which needs to be split. If you have not spent the money received from the sale of the diamond, I am not sure why you cannot give your soon-to-be-ex the proceeds and the mounting in lieu of returning the ring. Unless there are other assets to divide, this matter should be over.
It is difficult to imagine a court authorizing a lien on your house with no evidence you owe a debt. Bullies love empty threats; especially when they work.
I wish you the best. Abusive partners are despicable. You deserve better. This part really, REALLY stinks. Keep your chin up and focus on better days ahead.
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