Chapter 10 - The First Divorce Hearing
Mauricio filed for divorce first.
It was strategy.
He alleged marriage had broken down due “irreconcilable conflict driven by Valeria’s career obsession and family interference.”
Gabriel laughed when he read.
Sarah did not.
“He’s creating narrative.”
“Does it matter?”
“Not for no fault dissolution. It can matter around property if he alleges misconduct.”
My divorce attorney, Melissa Crane, handled family case separately.
She was sixty, unflappable.
First task:
Financial freeze on extraordinary transfers.
Temporary exclusive condo possession.
Separate account for salary.
Preserve marital assets.
Mauricio’s business interest valued later.
I wanted everything.
Then caught myself.
“Actually, what am I entitled to?”
Melissa smiled.
“Better question.”
Condo purchased during marriage.
Joint.
Equity approximately $410,000.
Retirement accounts accumulated during marriage partly marital.
Mauricio’s MRO Consulting value uncertain, possibly negative after fraud liabilities.
My inherited brokerage account from Dad:
Separate, if not commingled.
It was separate.
No children.
Simpler.
I did not “win everything.”
May you like
I wanted accurate division.
That became rule.
