Divorce is a complicated and emotional process that can often take a toll on both parties involved. While it is a difficult time for everyone, there are also instances where the proceedings take unexpected turns and become even more complex.
 
From fighting over as ashtray only to smash it on the courthouse steps to adding foods as property, there are several instances that are so darn bizzare it will blow your mind. 
 
A Redditor asked, “divorce lawyers of reddit, what are some of your most memorable cases?” and here are our top picks.

1. Fighting Over An Ashtray

Photo of furious man and woman in denim clothes screaming at each other standing face to face isolated over yellow background
Image Credits: Deposit Photos.

This seemed really spiteful. 

A user shared, “had a husband and wife go toe to toe over an ashtray they got in Vegas at some point (neither smoked, strangely enough). Spent nearly $5,000 for me and another attorney to duke it out in court over the silly thing.

Before proceeding, I explained the cost of arguing over something stupid like this and that he could give me $2,500. I would fly to Vegas for the weekend and get him an identical one instead. He said he didn’t care about the costs because he intended to smash it on the courthouse steps in front of her if we won. We won, and he followed through with the smashing. He laughed and said the look on her face was worth more than $2,500. People get crazy in divorce proceedings!”

 

2. Using Email Addresses To Sign Up On Everything

non americans about america
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Had a client whose soon-to-be ex-husband used her email address and phone number to sign her up for every bank, loan, religious, mental illness, and adult site he could think of. She was bombarded by people contacting her about her interest in their products/services.

He even put out ads for partners on Craigslist with her information. The kicker is that she went out with a guy who contacted her!

If I learned anything from being a divorce attorney (I no longer practice), it was that if the opposing party sounded like a nutcase, I would soon see the nutcase come out of my own client. Ordinary people don’t just accidentally marry crazies (not often)!” shared one. 

This is plain cruel, but funny. 

 

3. Smart Lawyer Move

Confident man blame you, frowning and pointing finger at camera, accuse person, judgemental stare, standing over light blue background.
Image Credits: Deposit Photos.

Oh, he deserves an applause for the getting the evidence cancelled. 

On the day of a divorce trial involving adultery grounds, opposing counsel produces photos of my male client (the husband) wearing lingerie and a long brown wig, blowing another man. I successfully excluded this from evidence on the grounds of relevance …because the wife was the photographer.” shared another. 

 

 4. Fight Over Refridgerator Space

Young businessman with worried expression
Image Credits: Deposit Photos.

I once represented a client from a divorcing couple who still lived together pending the sale of the family home but would not speak to one another for any reason whatsoever. Had to negotiate terms with opposing counsel for the sharing of refrigerator space.” shared one. 

This is definitelt beyond us. 

 

 5. Bombing The Lawyer

Young handsome businessman wearing glasses in the office and standing alone hands crossed
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Worked for a family law lawyer in Santa Cruz. One of her frequent opponents, a decent, but aggressive, lawyer, just down the street. Got a package bomb wrapped like a Christmas present. He picked it up, and it blew up in his face. Blew off most of his fingers and left shrapnel in his face and chest. Last I heard, he dropped out of the legal profession.shared one. 

 

6. Acting Lessons To Kids To Get Custody

angry teen
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My brother is a divorce attorney. In his most memorable case, he represented a guy in a divorce custody battle who was accused of horrific child abuse. Very graphic, very detailed depositions from the young kids against daddy. Things look grim.

Then my brother, a failed actor, notices the deposition transcript (done by social workers under oath) contains a question at the end from one of the kids “Did I hit my marks?” He wonders how little kids know about acting jargon. Subpoena’s wife’s personal checking account during discovery, sure enough, acting lessons.

Deposes an extremely sketchy “acting coach” and panicked coach produces DVDs of “practice interrogations” with the kids, hours of coaching the kids on exactly what imaginary things to say about daddy.

He says it was his one and only “Perry Mason moment” in 20+ years of practice, and Dad got sole custody of the kids.” shared one.  This is definitely bizzare, and distasteful. 

 

7. Listing Foods In Statement Of Property

Healthy breakfast oatmeal porridge in bowl with blueberries and almonds on white wooden table background
Image Credits: Deposit Photos.

A user shared “The husband’s statement of property listed all the food in the kitchen as of the date of separation, complete with estimated values for each item. (“Campbell’s vegetable soup – $0.79″)” 

 

 8. $1000 Fee On Glasses And Pitchfork

taxation complications in the us
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I once represented a husband divorcing his wife of 35+ years. They were in their late 60s. At mediation, they divided up about a half million in assets within 30 minutes. Then they spent 2.5 hours fighting over 2 hurricane glasses from Pat O’Brien’s and a pitchfork.

Mediator: “She really wants that pitchfork. It was a gift from her daddy.” Husband: “That…! We bought it at Home Depot two years ago!” …and etc. They settled at mediation after spending over $1,000 in attorney fees for the glasses and pitchfork.

They remarried 3 months later.” shared another. 

 

9. Improper Contact Through An Internet Game

batter about to hit the ball in a baseball game
Image Credits: Deposit Photos.

Not a lawyer, but as a courthouse clerk, I had a court order come across my desk that explicitly banned a father from playing Minecraft with his son over the internet because the ex-wife alleged that the in-game chat was a form of improper contact that wasn’t outlined in their custody/visitation plan.” shared one. 

Definitelty, outrageous. 

 

10. Hiding Millions Of Dollars

a plate of coins for a tip or fee toilets. in english
Image Credits: Deposit Photos.

A user shares, and this is common occurance “A friend who is a lawyer told me a pretty crazy story about a wealthy couple splitting up. The woman hid millions of dollars overseas and cut up all her husband’s clothing with scissors. These shenanigans caused her to get almost nothing.” 

 

11. Manipulating The Story

a man in shock
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Family law paralegal here. One time we worked hard on a woman’s case because her husband had gotten on a bus to Mexico with her kids.

We expedited everything; I went above and beyond for this woman- contacting attorneys in the Deep South of MX and writing clear instructions to get back her kids. It turns out our client had stabbed her husband because he confronted her about sleeping with his brother. The husband packed up and took the kids.” shared one. 

 We hope you liked this Reddit discussion on memorable divorce cases. Some of them definitely got me thinking what people are upto in this world. What do you think? How would you react to this?

This article originally appeared here

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