Divorced
After a traumatic divorce, being restless and exhausted from the situation, while in court I told the judge I declined alimony and child support. I trusted my ex-husband to do the right thing because we were married for thirteen years and raised four children with him. I imagined that since I cofounded and grew a business with him where we were partners each with half of the share, he would take that into consideration and treat me fairly. We started the business from nothing, and it excelled into an organization where I was involved 24/7 in the company. While married, I agreed with him to leave my career as a radiographer. When it was time to renew my state license, so to concentrate on the business and the family, I did not renew my license. Since his sisters and cousin were in charge of the management company that paid our business and personal bills, I thought everything was going as planned. To my dismay, I discovered that the private bills were not taking care of for about six months. Also, we worked to change the company from S corporation to LLC, and with our accountants’ advice, I agreed to my husband owning 99% of the business while I retained 1% for me, with the understanding that it will help in lowering the taxes. With my naiveté, I did not involve the attorney who referred us to them although he told me to check with him before I sign any papers. I wanted to save money so to keep the promises we made to the team who were in the business.
The judge granted me one of the location as a settlement since we had many. I was content with that because that is the place where I poured my sweat into building a rapport with the employees as well as the clients. I thought “I can do it, I can continue what I started and took care of my family.” However, my husband and his families had plan for me; they sabotaged the business by taking all the clients and leaving me simply with, location and supplies. And since the lease wasn’t paid for two months and I had no clients, I had to file bankruptcy. I had no choice, I could not make a living from the business, I couldn’t return to my career as a radiologist which led me to lose my home and car. Throughout the ordeal, I tried and tried to keep my home by agreeing to rent a room to a family member and her granddaughter. I invited my mother to stay in one of the bedrooms while I resided upstairs with my two children. I went to court several times to see if there was anything that I can do since they sabotaged the business, but it was too late.
One day, the bank came with a moving company and evicted me. The movers were so supportive; it made the process less strenuous. Within that hour, I called onto my sisters and my brother-in-law to help. At first, I drove my mother to my sister’s house because I knew I was not going to be able to deal with her emotional state. My sisters came and helped me without any judgment. They rented an U-Haul and helped to take everything I can. My friend Debbie, came with her car and took some of my items to store for me. My children were at their dad’s and his new wife home at that time because we had shared custody.
Throughout the years, I was diagnosed with a fibroid and needed blood transfusion. Later on, my doctor suggested a colonoscopy and in the end, I had to have a hysterectomy. My friends Linda and Debbie along with my mother and my sisters and my brother-in- law have rallied to support me tremendously. I did obtain a position as Substitute Teacher and took two months off to have the hysterectomy. Recently, I applied for a permanent position at the Board of Education. I am moving forward with my life as I reside with one of my sisters and family.
