Divorce is one of the most difficult things someone can go through in life - and it can be unbelievably expensive.
Now one mum has set up a GoFundMe to help her cover the costs - after forking out £15,000 so far.
Genevieve Pepper, 44, from Ramsgate, Kent, says that women shouldn't be afraid to ask for help when they want to get out of unhappy situations.
The mum-of-three decided to set up a fundraising page to ask for donations to help fund her divorce after her eight-year marriage broke down.
She's keen to not borrow more money after already running up £15k of legal debts during the process.
The average cost of divorce in the UK is £14,561, but if property is involved, the cost can increase significantly.
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Genevieve, a copywriter, said: "It's not shameful to ask for help when you are struggling.
"I have been going through the divorce process for a year and a half now and it has all cost an absolute fortune.
"I have put the target of my GoFundMe as £15k as this is the least I will need to pay for my legal fees that I have to pay back.
"I was with my ex for 12 years and we were married for eight, but we decided to separate in 2020.
"I divorced my ex as the marriage had been unhappy for a while and then during lockdown it got to a point where it wasn’t possible for my husband to be under the same roof as me and the kids.
"I asked him to leave and then things didn’t get any better so I took the hard decision to file for divorce.
"I think it is an important issue to talk about because I know so many women who stay in their unhappy marriages because they can't afford to get divorced.
"Although I felt nervous and anxious about setting up a GoFundMe to help me pay for the divorce, I just want to be able to get out of the marriage as soon as possible."
While Genevieve was apprehensive to ask for donations to help pay for her divorce from her ex, she has also found it an empowering experience.
She says that taking control of the situation and doing something for herself has been a great feeling, despite the sad situation.
Genevieve added: "Even people who have donated a fiver to me, it means the world. It has made me feel cared about and like I am part of a community.
"It has been so empowering to know that I am doing something for myself to get myself out of the marriage.
"As the cost of living is so expensive now too, it has been such a scary time for me as a single parent.
"So having the crowd funder has given me a bit more balance as it has allowed me to spend my money on keeping the lights on and food on the table for my kids.
"I'd encourage any women who are in a similar situation to what I was to ask for help. I'm not forcing anyone to give me money, I just opened up and asked for some help to help change my life.
"I was offered 30 per cent of the value of our family home, and I felt this was unfair and intended to drain her resources, so I agreed agreed to go to court to try and get 50 per cent.
"I've had to spend all of my money and racked up debts that I will be paying back forever, just so I can get 50 per cent.
"I was embarrassed at first, but since doing this I have no regrets whatsoever and, if anything, I think it has made me more confident.
"So many women are trapped in marriages like mine, without financial agency, isolated, without any share of assets or say in finances.
"They often stayed at home to look after the house and children and are therefore without an employment history, credit rating or any way of going it alone, and without legal aid for divorces, the costs involved can be prohibitive or lead to huge debts.
"It's showed me that I should never have been afraid to ask for help.
"I desperately want to to conclude these proceedings now and be out of the marriage at last so I can begin to rebuild my life."
To donate, click here.
