Today’s case study comes straight from my files—one of the most unforgettable moments of my legal career involving a woman I’ll call Mrs. T.
Mrs. T told me her husband had abandoned her financially. We went to court ready to fight. But then, it turned out she had been receiving ₦30,000 every month for nine years.
She didn’t tell me. Why? Because she felt it was “too small” to count as support.
Here is the hard truth about Nigerian Family Law: The court doesn’t care if you think ₦30,000 is an insult. It cares that it exists.
- If he paid, and you received it — it counts.
- If you hide it — it counts against you.
- If you don’t document it — the court will document it for you… painfully.
Mrs. T didn’t lose ground because the money was significant. She lost because her credibility collapsed. The husband had receipts; she had “vibes.” And once credibility collapses, even the strongest petition begins to bleed.
The Exit Feminism Lesson: Exit Feminism isn’t just about leaving; it’s about leaving smart. Financial autonomy requires radical honesty about your finances.
- Know what he earns: Courts assess maintenance based on earning capacity and affordability.
- Keep evidence: Bank alerts, screenshots, school fee receipts.
- Don’t filter facts: Tell your lawyer the whole truth, not the emotionally satisfying version.
To the Men: I tell men this all the time: Pay something. Pay it consistently. Pay it through traceable channels. Consistency beats morality. Receipts beat tears.
👩🏾⚖️ Lawyer Tip of the Day
“Vibes and Inshallah” is not a litigation strategy. Family law cases rise and fall on documentation. Bring your lawyer bank alerts, salary proofs, and lifestyle evidence. If it’s not written down or traceable, in the eyes of the court, it didn’t happen.
📊 CTA 1 — ANONYMOUS SURVEY I’m collecting real data on maintenance challenges and financial transparency issues in Nigerian marriages. 👉 Take the 2-minute anonymous survey: Nigerian Women’s Legal & Marital Challenges
🎓 CTA 2 — WAITLIST Want to know how to calculate maintenance and prepare your financial evidence properly? 👉 Join the waitlist for “Family Law in Nigeria: What Every Woman & Lawyer Must Know”: Family Law in Nigeria Course
#UnbindYourExit #ChildSupport #NigeriaFamilyLaw #MaintenanceMatters #LegalLiteracy #ExitFeminismNG #16DaysOfActivism
MzAgams 