[brig2221]

I would agree with some of the previous posters regarding what options your Mother has. It seems that she has a lot of questioning to do at this point before any specific plan of action can be forumulated. I would also second the notion of contacting a lawyer to at least determine what options she may have. I am very sorry for the situation she has now found herself in.

That said, your story only confirms for me my thoughts on personal finances, specifically as it relates to marriages.

This is my opinion only, but I truly have never understood why Married couples would choose to handle their finances separately. I can understand situations where spouses get together and agree on pulling out certain dollar amounts into their own "slush funds" so they can have a little independence in spending. However, I cannot understand why you would want to have two separate banking accounts, with two separate checkbooks, and then both chip in to pay bills. That reminds me of what I did when I was younger and had a roomate in my apartment. I could never imagine doing that with my spouse!

I just think that this type of financial setup lends itself towards things like this happening more often. I mean, if you have a spouse making a lot more money than the other, which I am sure happens a lot, how exactly does that work? Does one spouse pay their bills with ease, and then enjoy what is left over, while the other struggles to pay their bills?

I find it hard to see how there would not be animosity between spouses in these types of situations. One way spouses typically act out upon their issues is through spending.

I certainly understand that these types of "financial infidelities" can and do happen under all circumstances, and that there are probably many who succcessfully split their finances.

I didn't want to veer too far off course from the original topic of your Mother. That said, when I read her story, the very first thing that immediately stuck out to me was the splitting of their finances.