A soon-to-be-ex couple is using unusual tactics to try to sell the home they once shared. A for-sale sign outside of a single family home reads “husband left us for a 22 year old.” The woman who posted the sign says that she did it for publicity purposes, but asserts that the facts on the sign are true.
The woman told reporters that she was shocked when she discovered that her husband had been having an affair with a younger woman. Now they are trying to avoid a foreclosure while the on the home and hope that the unique sign will help it sell quickly so that they can complete the divorce.
While this type of payback humor might be satisfying in the immediate aftermath of a split, it’s also important to remember the long term impacts that conduct before and during a divorce can have.
One major concern for this family could be a decreased sale price for their home. Prospective buyers could be discouraged to look at the home or to do business with the owner based on an aggressive sign, especially since “for sale by owner” indicates that they would have to deal directly rather than through an agent.
Even if the initial experience of expressing anger towards a soon-to-be-ex spouse is positive, the net effect on a settlement could make it less worthwhile.
It is often best to leave the arguing and “getting even” to an experienced attorney who can negotiate with the other side to get the results you want, which will ultimately be more satisfactory than posting an angry message on Facebook.
Source: ABC News, “Home For Sale Sign: ‘Husband Left Us For a 22 Year Old…’,” Alex Stone, July 18, 2012