When she wrote her will, my mom had clearly stated that every cent of the inheritance would be protected under a special clause—a trust, locked in my name only. It was watertight, designed explicitly to shield the money from greedy spouses or divorce claims. She’d seen enough in her life to know what could happen, and she wasn’t going to let her hard-earned savings be manipulated.

So when my husband filed for divorce, confident he’d walk away with a share of my inheritance, he was in for a shock. His lawyer tried, argued, and pushed—but the trust was ironclad. Not only did he get nothing, but he also had to pay his own legal fees. The judge even questioned his motives in court.

After the divorce, I felt free. Not just because I kept what was rightfully mine, but because I had proof—proof that my instincts had been right and that my mother’s wisdom lived on through her protection. I later used part of that inheritance to start a non-profit in my mother’s name, helping women navigate financial abuse and hidden manipulation in relationships.

Lesson: Money changes people—but love shouldn’t come with a price tag. Always protect yourself legally, especially when it comes to inheritance or assets. And most of all, trust your gut—if someone suddenly gets stars in their eyes over your money, that’s not love. That’s opportunity.