After Husband's Indictment, Wife Files For Divorce

 Posted on April 05, 2012 in Family Law

Last month, after 33 years of marriage, Donald Ratcliff’s wife, Brenda, filed for divorce alleging irreconcilable differences. The so-called “differences” may very well be related to the fact that DuPage County prosecutors have indicted Mr. Ratcliff on at least five charges of possessing pornographic images of young children.

According to the Arlington Cardinal, Mr. Ratcliff’s home computer allegedly contained at least 500 pornographic pictures. Prior to his arrest and being held in DuPage County jail, Mr. Ratcliff taught Christian education at Wheaton College, a religious school. Wheaton College terminated his employment in March. Mr. Ratcliff holds his PhD from The University of Georgia.

Ms. Ratcliff is suing for spousal maintenance (formerly known as alimony) from her 60-year-old soon to be ex-husband. Ms. Ratcliff was extremely surprised and humiliated about the revelation that her husband was leading a double life. The couple first met at a small college in Ohio, where Mr. Ratcliff began his teaching career. According to the a document he wrote as a part of his application to teach at Wheaton College, Mr. Ratcliff bragged that he and Brenda “served as missionary teachers on a small island in the West Indies for a year.”

The divorce is currently pending in DuPage County Circuit Court and the husband and wife are scheduled to appear in court on July 12, 2012 at 9:25 am.

Even in less drastic circumstances, getting divorced can be an extremely situation for both husband and wife. If you are filing for divorce in Illinois or if your spouse has filed for divorce, you need Naperville, Illinois divorce attorney.