A bride has shared her shocking experience of her groom asking for a divorce on their wedding night. Identified as Rachel, she revealed her story during an interview on the Hit Network radio show hosted by Abbie Chatfield.

Rachel recounted how her new husband became enraged when he didn’t receive the sxual encounter he had demanded on their wedding night. The following morning, he insisted on a divorce, ultimately leading to their separation a mere two weeks after tying the knot.

In her call to the radio show, Rachel disclosed, “I was married for less than 12 hours before my husband wanted a divorce, and we separated two weeks later. The night of the wedding, we went out, and upon returning to the hotel room, unfortunately, I did not fulfill his expectations. We were exhausted, I wasn’t willing, and the next day he demanded a divorce.”

When questioned by Chatfield and her male producers, Rachel confirmed that her husband’s demand was indeed regarding segs and admitted that the distressing ordeal left her feeling utterly miserable.

Did you know that divorce is more expensive than marriage in South Africa, see below:

South Africa experiences a significant number of divorces, with four out of ten marriages ending before reaching their tenth anniversary, as reported by Stats SA. While no one desires such an outcome, sometimes separation becomes the only option.

A reliable source of information on divorce in South Africa is DivorceLaws.co.za, a website established by Bertus Preller, a Family Law and Divorce Lawyer at Maurice Philips Wisenberg in Cape Town and author of the book “Everyone’s Guide To Divorce and Separation.” According to the website, although there was a decline in the divorce rate from 2017 to 2018, the numbers remain alarmingly high.

Data based on 25,284 divorce forms obtained by Stats SA revealed a slight decline of 0.4% (from 25,390 in 2017 to 25,284 in 2018). It was found that most divorce proceedings were initiated by women.

“On the website, they stated, ‘The 2018 data reveal that more wives than husbands, 13,218 (52.3%) women in comparison to 8,791 (34.8%) men started divorce proceedings, and 1,523 (6.0%) divorces were started by both husband and wife.'”

Additionally, Business Tech reported a 20% increase in divorces in the country since the beginning of the lockdown period.

Considering the high divorce rates, one might wonder about the actual cost of divorce. The total expenses depend on the complexity of the settlement, including issues such as the division of assets or child maintenance.

Parent24 suggests that when a couple collaborates to resolve these complexities and reach an agreement, the total cost of divorce can range from R7,000 to R10,000. However, if the divorce is contested, it becomes significantly more expensive.

In cases where both parties disagree on the terms, additional costs are incurred due to prolonged negotiations and the need for extended legal representation, including court appearances.

Legal services provided by attorneys come at a substantial cost. Experienced lawyers can charge between R2,000 and R3,000 per hour. Thus, prolonging the time spent with lawyers significantly increases the fees.

While attempting a do-it-yourself approach might seem like a cost-saving option, Lee Hancox, head of channel and segment marketing at Sanlam, advises caution. She explains to Business Tech that this route could lead to more trouble.

“There is sometimes the temptation to rush into a ‘quickie’ DIY divorce that seems cheaper and faster—perhaps you want to escape the emotionally stressful scenario as quickly as possible,” she said. “However, this can be risky. If you’re not a legal expert, what you include in your divorce agreement may be questioned when brought before a divorce court, or, in the worst-case scenario, could be detrimental to your long-term interests.”

Ultimately, such a choice might end up costing more in the long run, making it wiser to seek professional assistance.

Apart from legal expenses, divorce often brings additional financial burdens. Here are some costs that arise during or after separation:

• Maintaining two households instead of one
• Increased child care expenses
• Separating contracts for medical aid, cell phone plans, insurance, bond payments, and others

David Thomson, senior legal adviser at Sanlam Trust, emphasizes the importance of seeking professional guidance during the process. He highlights the significant impact divorce has on one’s overall financial situation.

“When facing divorce, it’s crucial to consider its impact on the entire financial picture. In a partnership, one person may have been responsible for the finances, so following a divorce, sudden financial independence can be overwhelming for the other partner,” he explained.”

Additionally, divorce may necessitate a return to work and has significant consequences when children are involved, requiring arrangements for school fees, medical aid, and other financial considerations.”

Thomson concludes, “Divorce is a complex matter, regardless of one’s wealth or social status.”