I thought about this and I came to the conclusion that making living conditions for the estranged wife so bad that she would willingly move out could be a very easy prospect.  I suggest three different approaches, all of which would cause little or no damage to the house, so if you were to loose the house in the divorce it would all be easy to reverse:

Turn off the electricity.  I don’t mean have the city or utility company disconnect.  I mean simply remove the main breaker from the control panel.  If it’s removal needs to be disguised then replace it with a dummy (faulty) breaker.  No electricity, there is no furnace, no lights, no stove, no oven, no toaster, no microwave, no washer or dryer.   I can’t see a woman staying long under those conditions.  Maybe three days.

Turn off the water.  Again I don’t mean have the city disconnect the water or shut the street valve.  I mean simply shut off the water at the pressure reducing valve where the water line enters the house.  Alternatively install another shutoff valve downstream of the pressure reducer.  Without water there are no toilets, no shower, no drinking or cooking water, and no laundry.  Can you see a woman staying without water.  Maybe two days.

There is nothing stopping a husband from simply removing the front and back door (completely) from their hinges and removing them from the property.  I’m sure the estranged wife would feel pretty insecure at nights and willing to go elsewhere.  Maybe one day.

And there is nothing illegal about doing any or all of these three especially if you are renovating (check with your divorce lawyer).

can you edit the post, making it easier to read ?

I hope this helps someone that is going through this situation (divorce).

Cheers and thanks for the post

🙂

I don’t know you’re specific situation, but if you are concerned about false domestic violence claims, then start recording everything.  Put up security cameras.  If your wife knows they are there then she is less likely to try and pull a stunt.  Besides just the finances, and despite the hell you may be putting yourself through, it is good practice for saying no and setting boundaries.

In my case (years ago), I did not move out.  I thought I was manning up and giving her space.  I should have stayed and forced her to leave since she didn’t want the marriage anymore.   In hindsight, I made things way too easy for her.  She needed to deal with finding her own place or living with her parents full time.  She needed to be the one who left the kids.

It went back and forth. At one point,  she wanted me to sign a 40 year mortgage because the mortgage wasn’t paid for the last 2 years. We both went down to the bank to sign the paperwork and she had a big sign smile on her face.Her smile disappeared as soon as I said I wouldn’t  sign until the lawyers said it was in my best interest. Of course  I got the “you are screw the kids.. The kids will have no where  to live ” speech.  She didn’t  know I knew her parents had received  a large inheritance which could easily  bought me out

.She got to the point when she said ” I don’t want it .. sell it”. It was amazing how her parents came up with the money after  I refused to sign a loan modification. Her parents  were even ready to front me my share of the proceeds now but my name would still be tied to the mortgage.  Again I said he’ll no. Last time I checked you wanted a divorce but you want me tied to a mortgage  for  a house I would forgo my right to live in.

She did everything  in her power to make me miserable  so I would leave.. but guess what she and the kids move out in 4 weeks. The house will be sold. My tactic  was to do absolutely nothing around the house. I stopped paying  the household bills as soon as she took me to court. The court said I only had to pay half the utilities. Man she was p~~~ed.  NO DEAL dear!!!!

. THE BEST PART ABOUT IT WAS I DID NOTHING!!! No turning off the electric..Water or removing doors. She tried many times to p~~~ me off to make me do something  stupid. I DIDN’T TAKE THE BAIT. SHE WAS CONVINCED I WAS RECORDING HER ALL THE TIME WITH MY PHONE. HER PARANOID PERSONALITY WAS HER OWN WORSE ENEMY.

Yes, You are quite right in your comments about kids.  I also like your added suggestion of surveillance equipment to counter charges of domestic violence.  I had considered the kids, and of course it becomes a great deal more difficult.  Remember, these approaches are designed to work in the very short term.  I would expect the estranged husband to preface any action with proper arrangements for the kids.  For example he may want to hire a nanny and find proper accommodation for the kids at the home of one of the relatives.   I am not concerned about the confrontational aspect of these techniques.  When you get to this stage she wants YOU OUT AT ALL COSTS, and it’s war.  Believe me when the choice of who has to move out arises, you are already at the confrontational stage.  I personally wouldn’t have any difficulty living without water and electricity for a few days.  Do it all the time camping.

I thank you for your comment and actual input.  As you said you made it easy for your ex, as did I.  But in today’s world things are different.  The crap they use during the actual divorce would make your hair curle.  Women have memories like iron traps.