Delaney James seems to have it all-a successful husband, a stylish Manhattan townhouse, and a thriving career in fashion journalism-until it all falls apart. Her husband leaves her, shattering the perfect life she once knew. Heartbroken and desperat...
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I'm sitting at the desk in my room, an overwhelming amount of paperwork splayed out in front of me. My divorce papers. Documentation on New York State divorce laws and equitable distribution. A Google search of divorce and property rights pulled up on my laptop, as well as health and life insurance options, a budgeting plan and credit card applications – because Will never wanted me to have my own. He always put them in his name, and after making an account on Credit Karma, I now realize he wasn't doing me any favors, because my credit score is embarrassing.
These are all things I should have been taking care of the last few weeks, yet all things I've been avoiding. It's just been so nice hiding away with Greyson. Tangled in his soft sheets and wrapped in his strong arms has been like a dream, but we all have to wake-up eventually. No one is going to figure out my life for me. It's time I learn to do things on my own.
The confidence Greyson has in me not only as a partner, but as a woman, is rubbing off on me. Being with him has reminded me of the girl I used to be – Independent. Confident. Fearless. Driven – and it's about damn time I get back to her.
I pick up the packet on New York State divorce laws and begin to flip through it, not having the slightest idea what I'm reading. My lawyer didn't ask me to do this, or suggest it, but I want to be prepared when Will's lawyer comes back to mine with an offer.
I don't want any surprises.
Nico's father was kind enough to refer me to a friend of his. He just so happens to be one of the best divorce attorneys in the state, and my parents were generous enough to loan me the ten thousand dollars for the retainer, with the promise that I pay them back of course – and that was with a family discount. He's a nice guy. He knows what he's doing, and he seems to have my best interest at heart. I just can't tell yet if he's a minnow or a shark, and if I'm going to win the war Will is surely about to declare, I'm going to need a great white.
Everything Will and I had together he owns, simply because I didn't make my own money. From the watch on my wrist to the forks in his silverware drawer, and according to my lawyer, he owns the house outright. He never put my name on the deed when he bought it. I guess he planned on keeping that little secret from me for the rest of our lives. Any monies acquired during the marriage is considered marital property, but my lawyer won't be able to touch his trust fund or the savings he built up before we were married. The pre-marital personal property is off the table too, so I won't be driving his Mercedes GLA, or steering the yacht he has docked in the Hamptons anytime soon.
New York is a no-fault state, but my lawyer said because Will committed adultery, we may have a leg to stand on, even though nothing is legally in my name. But then I'd have to file as a 'fault divorce,' and it'll be a fight every step of the way. It could take years before we settle. If we file as 'no-fault' we have to be separated for at least six months before any proceedings can occur, and as hard as I know it's going to be to sit in a sterile court room and listen to his lawyer list all the reasons why Will wants a divorce, I just want to get started so we can end our marriage as smoothly and amicably as humanly possible.
