Evil Wife Sells Husband Property & Keeps The Cash

Um, unfortunately, we've we've not been able to settle the case. One of the key issues in this case, um, my client um, uh, and his position is that this truck uh, is uh, his separate property pursuant to a prenuptial agreement. Uh, the defendant has her own perception of uh, what should happen with the truck. I did get an ex parte order, um, signed by the court on March 18th, uh, that specifically prevented this truck from being sold, um, as well as a general restraining order against disposal of of assets. Uh, my client received information thereafter, um, that the vehicle had been sold. Um, the uh, defendant has not uh, confirmed this, but she hasn't given me any information as to whether the vehicle has been sold, uh, the price, to whom, etc. So, I did send out some discovery to her on uh, April 9th. So, she would have had 28 or she has 28 days from April 9th to answer it. Um, and that's where we're at. All right, so when was this filed? How old is this case? October 28th it was filed, 2024. So, it's a DO, so the Supreme Court says these should be concluded in 6 months. So, uh, November. We're already past the 6 months. Could I ask, and either one can volunteer an answer, what why we are fixated on a truck that's almost 30 years old? Why does anybody care about a 30-year-old truck? I had bought that pickup and I had not put it in my name, and then when the time came to plate it, um I had asked my wife All right, I'm going to I'm going [clears throat] to stop my my client I mean the I guess the point is my client believes it's a separate property and it's it is specifically listed in the pre-nup as as his. Um so he does want the truck. I mean there's been discussions about okay, if he doesn't get the truck, what it what is the value? What should he be paid? Uh so we have talked in those terms as well, your honor. And Well, then I just got to ask Ms. Cooper, what do you care about the truck for? Do you often drive F350s that are from 1997? Um well, the pre-nup that I was asked to sign upon our marriage was very clear. Um out of protection for him, I believe that he's fussing about it because the pre-nup ended up protecting me more than it protected him. Um what comes down to >> he wants the truck. Right. You have the truck. I don't have the truck. I sold it prior to receiving that motion. Um it was sold and gone way long prior to it. >> That could have >> [clears throat] >> I'd have to see when all that occurred, but that could be problematic. Could be. Um willing to wait it out though because uh the pre-nup is very clear legally that any gift from him to me um belongs to me if divorce were to happen. It was a gift, hence why it's in my name. Um that's how it got into my name. So um my belongings that he has aren't worth to me to just give up. So if he wants to take this all the way to the end, we can stay married for as long as he would like, or we could just be done with it. >> idea was he's got some stuff you wanted, so you'll sell his truck and he can keep your stuff. I mean, is that And that's And that's how he would like to end it. So that's petty. If that's how he would like to end it, that's fine. Um I would like to just be divorced if if we could just get that part over with. Um the truck isn't worth any sub substantial amount of money. >> I'm guessing that's why I'm asking both sides to why are we fighting over a 30-year-old truck? >> My MacBook that he has is equal to >> truck, right? >> Yeah, but the truck's gone and there's no getting it back. So we can settle it however >> So are you willing to let him keep the MacBook? Sure. Sure. >> There you go, counsel. I think we've worked it out. So can we please be divorced? I I mean she she had provided Go get a different truck. Get a newer truck or maybe a boat. It looks like he's in some tropical place right now with the can't tell if that's a tiki hut or what. Or maybe you make $280,000 a year and you could just go buy a new one. I don't know. What do you think, counsel? Well, he doesn't make that kind of money to my to my knowledge, but um you know, I'm I'm happy to resolve this if if if if we can. Um you know, but the truck is worth my client's believes 10 to 15,000 dollars. I mean the offers that we've received are less than that. The stuff that she has uh at my client's house, he's more than willing to give that back uh as part of a settlement. Um but um I guess I'd want to talk to him privately if if if you know, he wants to as to what he wants to do here. You want to You want me to put you in a breakout >> room for a minute? Uh that'd be fine. Okay. And then you should don't hold me to this. You should be able to take yourself out of the breakout room when you're ready to come back in. Okay. >> And then I'll just have staff let me know and then we can go from there. Um if we can't make progress today to get this wrapped up, um I'm going to give you a trial date very quickly because this have been done by now, and uh and then we can just have a trial. Um so let me, I guess, do we get a breakout room here? No, we all have our breakout rooms here. So counselor, put you in there right now, and then uh and then hopefully you can get yourself out. If not, I'll check on you in a few minutes, okay? Okay. All right, thank you, Honor. Yep. Starting in one. And they are open. All right. So we'll go off record again, and we'll wait a few minutes, and All right, Mr. Hass, where are we at? Um yeah, good afternoon again, Your Honor. So, um my client has two options that uh we'd like to present. Uh I guess uh option one would be that he pays, or that uh Ms. Cooper pays him 7,000 for the truck, um and she can have the stuff back that she has indicated uh on a list to me, uh or option two would be um that my client gets the uh crossbow uh and the rangefinder that's currently in Ms. Cooper's possession. Um he keeps all of her stuff, um that that is with him. Basically, they each uh other than that, they each keep their own stuff, um and any debts in their own names, etc. Um and there would be no cash payment for the truck. All right, Ms. Cooper, do you option one or two? I respectfully decline both options. She doesn't like option one or two. Okay. Yeah, I I think I think we may be stuck. I mean, my client indicates that he has a trailer that was set up to pull this particular truck. Uh the truck bed itself, uh he paid 8,500 uh to add that, and another 3,500 in transmission work, so uh it's just, you know, he's he's to give her her stuff back and only take 7,000 for the truck. So, I don't I don't know. I think we may be stuck. >> Do you have my calendar there? I need a a trial date. Counsel, how many witnesses do you think you need for trial? Um. It uh is likely to be my client and probably just one or two more at most. Okay. How about you? It's the same amount. It's going to be 2 hours. If we go into the courtroom, we could do 10:30 on Monday the 5th. Is that too soon? >> May 5th? Yeah. No, I don't think so. Counsel, May 5th? Um, it's probably a little too quick. I mean, her her discovery isn't She's got I would like to have my discovery back. I sent it out on um, I believe April 9th. Excuse me, can we do the breakout room one more time? Was there a dead Was there a deadline for the for the discovery? Well, she'd have 28 days to answer my discovery. I found out the truck was apparently sold and sent it out on I believe I sent out my discovery on April 9th. Let me make sure. Uh, I'm sorry. I sent it out on April 11th. Okay. So, 28 days after April 11th. Let me see here. April 11th. So, it puts us about May 9th. All right, and then uh Mr. Cooper, you said you wanted to talk to your attorney. You're muted, Mr. Cooper. Yes, please. Okay, I'll put you guys in a breakout room again and we don't really Let me see here. My next thing was canceled. So, I've got until 2:30. So, we'll give you a few more minutes here and we'll go from there. Thank you, Your Honor. All right, thank you, Your Honor. Back. Okay, so now we are again back on the record. Cooper and Cooper Mr. Hess. All right, well Anything new? Yes, we'll try again, Your Honor. So, uh >> [clears throat] >> my um my client is willing to do a walk away at this point where each side would keep the assets in their own possession uh their own their own debts in their own names uh etc. Cooper Can agree. That works for her. So, so to save everybody time and effort and potentially more money Mr. Hess, can you get that reduced to writing and if you want to email it uh we can have you folks sign and she [clears throat] can stay here and sign on her end. I have a quick question, sorry. Um There's one thing. I'm sorry, I completely forgot about it. But, one thing um there's a tote in the basement that just has my my children. We do not have children together. My children's baby books, newborn clothes, my dead cousin's class ring. Can I ask for that back because it's not a financial thing? >> is you both keep what's in your possession. Mr. Hess, she's looking for a tote with I guess stuff her kids have and her dead cousin's class ring. Uh what do you What you have to say about that, Ryan? I mean, do you do you know if it's there? You're You're muted, Ryan. It is there, yes. So, is that okay that she have the tote and and the contents of the tote? Yes, that's fine. Okay. Um Yeah, how however you want to handle this, Your Honor. I mean, we we could put this on the record if you're comfortable with that. Otherwise, I'll Yeah, yeah, I think we should put it on the record, but then I was hoping just because I sense some animosity, um often when we walk away from that, uh then it comes time to actually sign our names on the dotted line and you know. I don't know that I can I I I mean, you're looking for me to draft a judgment of divorce this afternoon? Yeah. Okay. I'll see what I can do. Um >> I mean, I I assumed that the way you talked earlier, I thought maybe you had something going already, like you had uh somewhat prepared, but maybe not. >> No, I I don't. I I would have to start from scratch. Yeah. Uh then you're not. Okay. So, while we do this, other than what we have already stated, uh is there anything else that would be um part of this judgment that we haven't already placed on the record? I [clears throat] I would say that uh there'd be um no spousal support for either party, and it would be forever barred. Okay. Um each party is awarded any any uh property in their own names, uh accounts, investments, retirement accounts, uh anything in their own names. And uh as as we discussed, any um any items in their own possession with the exception of the this tote and uh the contents therein, which will be turned over to turned over to Ms. Cooper. And then when can we have that turned over to Ms. Cooper and how are we going to do that? Maybe we should place that on the record. What makes sense, Ryan? With- within um, I don't know, within uh 7 days after the judgment is final? Um, I can pull it out of my car. >> that we could get the judgment in 7 days. I can get it out of my basement tonight and have it on the curb. That doesn't sound promising. Uh is there any place else that might be a little more secure you could place it? >> [snorts] >> Well, there's a no contact order between her and I. Is that the result of this case? The result of a domestic violence on her part along with criminal contempt. >> Oh, I remember this. This is the PPO case, isn't it? Yeah, there's a lot a lot going on here. Okay. Um, hmm. How do we get the tote? Um, His I have a suggestion. >> Yeah. His parents along with his daughter go to my church, my Kingdom Hall. Um, he could have them bring it to a service and I could get it while I'm there. I go every Thursday evening, every Sunday afternoon. Mr. Cooper, she's suggesting you give it the tote to your parents and that they can deliver it to the service on Thursday evenings. >> [clears throat] >> That that could be arranged. And then just so we're on the same page, can it just be this Thursday? Tonight? Tonight? Yeah. What time is the service? It's at 7:00. >> Well And how far are you from your parents? My parents are in Greenville, half an hour away, and I don't deal with my parents. So, it would have to be my daughter, and my daughter is with her mother this weekend. Um I'm going to be south of Grand Rapids until 6:00. So, no, that's What if we go What if we just go uh next week would be May 1st? Can we just plan it'll be Thursday, May 1st? The tow will be in the possession of your parents, who will deliver it to Miss Cooper at the Thursday evening service. Does that work for everybody? Works for me. And then Mr. Hess, since we're going out to the 1st, could the court have that judgment that both sides are going to sign on or before May 2nd? Uh I don't see any problem with that, Your Honor. And then Miss Cooper, how is How can you be reached with for Mr. Hess so that he can get you this document to sign? We We've been communicating through through email. So, I would email it to her. Okay, very good. So, you will monitor your email frequently so that we can get this done by the 2nd? Yes. The only thing I think we have left that is to take some proofs, and then obviously um uh Mr. Cooper is the plaintiff, so I'm going to have him sworn. Before I do that, one other thing just came up in my mind, recognizing um everything in this case. Um Miss Cooper, are you going to ask to restore your name to your maiden name? I am not. You want to keep Leslie Cooper? I do. Yes. Okay. >> I earned it with 2 years of a terrible marriage. Well, that strikes me as odd that in a whole 2 years of marriage that you'd want to keep that name forever. Well, if Mr. Cooper would like to pay for all of the things that I will have to change and all of the hassle and going through my insurance company and my doctor's office. >> this? Let me suggest this because now you're just going far afield. What is your name? Stevens. Stevens. S T E V E N S. V E N S. >> My decision has been thought about for a very long time. I am not changing my last name. And that's okay, but what I was going to suggest is Mr. Hask could simply put it in the judgment of divorce. Doesn't mean you have to do it. It just means if at some point in the future you change your mind, you will have a judgment that allows you to do it. If you don't want it in there and you change your mind, then it's going to cost you a filing fee and you have to come back to the court, pay the filing fee, and then get the permission of the court to do that. So, if he includes it, it doesn't mean you have to do it. It simply allows you to do it if you change your mind. If that's what Mr. Hask would like to do, that'll be fine. I'll include it as as an option. Um I'll say that yeah. I understand. >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Yep. And then, Mr. Cooper, you raise your right hand and then your attorney will ask you a few questions and you guys will be all set. So, do you solemnly swear for the testimony you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I do. All right, you put your hand down and Mr. Hask, why don't you pick your proofs, sir? All right, and one more clean-up question. So, where is this church or what's the name of it? Where is the church? The name of the church and where is it located? Uh Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Greenville, Michigan. >> [snorts] >> Okay. Um Mr. Cooper, you um >> [snorts] >> um you prepared a complaint for divorce in this matter, correct? Yes. And everything that was stated in your complaint for divorce was true and correct? Yes. Now, you did reside in the state of Michigan for the 6-month period immediately preceding your filing? Yes. And you did reside in Macomb County for the uh 11-day period immediately preceding your filing? Yes. Okay. Um is your wife pregnant? No. Has there been a breakdown in the marriage? Yes. Is there any reasonable chance at reconciliation? No. Um Thank you. That's all I have. Court is satisfied from the proofs there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood the marriage could be preserved and it may be ordered and adjudged that the parties be divorced from the bonds of matrimony and a judgment of divorce may enter in accordance with what has been agreed upon by the parties along with other standard terms and conditions. And Mr. Cooper, I just want to confirm, I don't know that we had a specific question, do you agree there's been a breakdown in your marriage relationship? Yes. All right. And you agree that it's to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed? Absolutely. And would you go on living as husband and wife if the court didn't grant a judgment of divorce? Not a chance. All right. Okay. Then Mr. Hess, um if you stay in uh communication with Ms. Cooper as you uh uh finish off that document, so to speak, and once it's completed at both sides can then um sign it and date it and obviously that can be done electronically if that's easier. Um then it just needs to be submitted to the court by May 2nd. Is that the date we gave or Yeah, May 2nd and then the tub tub tub will be returned uh uh by the first or at on the first at that uh Thursday night service. We should be all set and the parties have mitigated then the time and expense that is starting to add up. I would submit. Okay, uh Mr. S, anything else from your perspective, sir? No, uh if for some reason I can't get a signed judgment by May 2, then I would plan to uh file a I have a judgment ready and file a motion for entry. Okay. Um I That'd be fine, but I I would assume that we can get all of that done. Um Ms. Cooper, do you have questions about anything? >> [clears throat] >> I do not believe so. All right, then you guys are all set. Good luck. Counsel, you and your client are free to sign off on your own. All right, thank you. >> This case became a comprehensive illustration of how relatively short marriages can still generate extraordinarily complex divorce litigation once allegations of domestic violence, disputed gifts, no contact orders, and contested property transfers all intersect within the same proceeding. On paper, this should have been a fairly straightforward divorce. A two-year marriage, no shared children, and limited disputed property. But emotionally charged disputes often expand far beyond the actual monetary value involved. And this hearing demonstrated exactly how that process unfolds in real time. Throughout the proceedings, Ms. Cooper consistently portrayed herself as financially disadvantaged and unfairly targeted by a husband she believed was being vindictive over replaceable property. Mr. Cooper, however, viewed the dispute through an entirely different lens, arguing that property specifically protected under the prenuptial agreement had been sold despite active court restrictions preventing exactly that outcome. Ultimately, the parties reached a walk-away resolution where each retained the property currently in their possession. Debts remained separate, spousal support was permanently waived, and only a limited number of sentimental personal items were ordered returned. The judge's handling of the case reflected a broader reality within family law courts. Sometimes the practical objective is not achieving a perfect legal victory, but simply preventing the litigation itself from becoming more destructive than the marriage already was. The hearing also highlighted how personal resentment can rapidly overshadow legal efficiency. What began as a dispute involving a decades-old truck ultimately required multiple negotiations, discovery disputes, judicial intervention, and extensive settlement discussions before resolution was finally reached. Cases like this demonstrate why judges in domestic relations courts frequently prioritize de-escalation, finality, and enforceable closure over prolonged adversarial litigation. Let us know if there is a case or legal topic you'd like us to cover next.