1. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Keep a journal in a safe place where she can’t find it. Log any fights or arguments. If she writes you a "Dear John" letter, save it. It could be important evidence later.
2. KEEP PERTINENT DOCUMENTS SAFE. Go through all important papers. Make sure you have copies in a safe place. If she decides to leave, she will usually try to take everything.
3. SAVE MONEY. If you haven’t started doing so already, start putting money away in a safe account which she doesn’t know about. Stop Direct Deposit, if you have it; arrange to pick up checks from your employer personally. (She can deposit them into an account if it bears both of your names, then turn around and withdraw from the account.) Take her name off savings accounts and investments.
4. DON’T GIVE AWAY YOUR RIGHTS OR YOUR STUFF! This is an emotional time; don’t make rash decisions regarding child custody or division of property. She will try to act like it’s her God-given right to all of these things; DON’T buy into it! DON'T SIGN ANYTHING! See a lawyer if you are unsure of your rights.
5. KEEP THE FAITH. You may feel very frustrated that you can’t make your marriage work. It’s NOT ALL YOUR FAULT, though your spouse will try to make you feel like it is, and later on in life when you look back, you’ll realize this.
6. DON’T TAKE A BEATING! If she pushes or hits you, call the police and file a report immediately. If the situation warrants, get a temporary restraining order against her, making her leave the house. She’ll do this to you without thinking twice if she gets the chance, so you have to beat her to the punch (pardon the expression).
7. DON’T CONSENT TO HER LEAVING! If she suddenly decides to move back home to Mom, 2000 miles away, DON’T consent! This means DON’T sign a separation agreement which allows her to take the kids away, and if she decides to leave, DON’T agree to pay for a U-Haul truck and DON’T carry a single box out to that truck! In fact, mail her a notarized letter letting her know that you do NOT consent to her taking the child out of the state.
8. BEWARE OF HER EXPENDITURES! Upon deciding to leave you, vindictive women often will attempt to screw you over by running up bills which you will then have to pay. You may want to cancel any charge cards she has. Also, keep a close eye on her telephone usage--she may run up huge bills, either to spite you, or to cry to Mom 2000 miles away about what a terrible man you are.
9. DON'T LET HER HARASS YOU AT WORK! Some vindictive wives may attack you at work by complaining to your employer about you or telephoning you there constantly. DO NOT ALLOW IT! Send her a registered letter asking her to stop. If she doesn't, go to court and ask for a restraining order.
10. BEWARE OF HER OUTSIDE INFLUENCES! If your wife has friends or family who don't like you, or who have bad relationships, sometimes they will attempt to poison her against you. As time goes on, they will "educate" her on ways to screw you over. They will convince her that she has the right to leave you and take the house, the car, the stereo and the children, and leave you all the bills. Many times these "friends" of the wife will singlehandedly ruin a happy marriage. A few telltale signs of "outside influences":

1. she spends a lot of time on the phone with people like this,
2. she suddenly begins using new words or phrases in conversations about your relationship
3. suddenly starts disappearing for long periods of time.

1. ask them to stop;
2. tell them anything that your wife has told you about their situations. They will probably not look kindly on her for "divulging their secrets", and may force her out of their clique;
3. seek counseling;
4. in extreme cases, have your phone disconnected, or even relocate to get her away from these influences.

It may be difficult to even consider some of the things on these pages. After all, your wife is supposed to be your best friend, not your worst enemy. However, in hindsight, many divorced Dads wish that they had known some of these things when their marriages were beginning to come apart. (I know I wish I had known.) If you fail to act now, you could be very sorry later.

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