Many moons ago, I was a bankruptcy and occasional divorce attorney, and I would hear stories similar to this quite often. I now take them with a grain of salt. The system IS stacked against men, make no mistake, but just about every time I investigated one of these amazingly lopsided stories, I found more to the story. Examples:
1) Husband decided he didn't need a lawyer. The more likely you are to think that, the more you need one. The judge doesn't know who is telling the truth (probably nobody), so there are lots of rules to try to get to a result. If you don't know them, you are screwed, even if you are really smart. Though complaining of the expense, most never even called somebody to find out how much it would be. Everybody thinks they are Matlock. The judge isn't going to take your word for things because you are just so intellectually dazzling.
2) Husband failed to appear in court, maybe multiple times. Claimed he wasn't notified, despite return receipt. This one happens a lot. See #1.
3) Husband shot his mouth off at the judge, or wife in court. Dumb. Just because the other side is lying, doesn't give you the right to act out. In my experience, both parties were lying, pretty much all the time. A woman crying in court will have the exact opposite impact of a man acting tough. See #1. Act like an insolent fool, and the feminist judge is more likely to believe her horror stories of what a jerk you are.
4) Husband doesn't fight the case, then gets angry when he loses. Lots of guys curl up into the fetal position when their "one and only" leaves them. Maybe it's the cynic in me that wants to throw up. They are also feverishly tying to "win her back" like she's some sort of prize. These are the ones who come for help after the fact, and mommy is at the appointment with them. Mommy does most of the talking. Mommy might have also shot her mouth off in court. Try putting toothpaste back into a tube.
The case in this thread isn't completely out of the question, but it is strange that he would have to pay alimony when she committed adultery. That can matter a lot in some jurisdictions. It's also odd he is still paying alimony. That generally has a time limit these days. Also, even liberal feminist judges aren't wild about placing children with parents who are shacked up. Did he put on any proof? Why can't he have overnight visits with his children? That part doesn't add up. If he's living with his parents, that would actually be pretty good. Judges usually like grandparents. Half of the investments and such is normal (assuming they were acquired during the marriage), but her getting the entire savings account is weird. His having to pay for the home is also suspect. Maybe for some period of time, but not forever.
Yes, the system is horrible for men, but I would want to hear more details about this case. There are three sides to every divorce case: her side, his side, and the truth. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but the outrages are usually not so cut and dried. I'm willing to bet at least two of the scenarios I outlined happened in this case.
