Divorce Lawyer Shares The Weirdest Arguments She Has Ever Witnessed

Holly J Moore, who brings over 16 years of experience to her practice in law, helping more than 2,000 couples navigate their separations, has encountered a wide array of unusual situations.

Now 43, Holly's expertise isn't limited to divorces; she also handles prenuptial agreements and custody battles, serving a diverse range of clients that include not just the 'average Joe' but also NFL stars and even someone from the FBI witness protection program.

Holly frequently engages with her followers, offering advice and insights from her career to over 209,000 followers on Instagram (@hollyjmoore), where she blends educational content with entertainment.

In discussing her experiences, she reveals the complex and sometimes messy nature of prenuptial agreements and divorces.

"I have had some really interesting cases - certainly some that were eye-opening," Holly, who is based in Southern California, US, shared with Jam Prime.

Credit: USA Today

"I had one prenup where the most significant asset was horse sperm for breeding.

"They had a really expensive horse and they wanted to protect that horse's semen."

"That was definitely a first for me, but I thought it was interesting. Everything has its own little world, so I wasn't familiar with the world of horse racing - it was fascinating.

"In another case, I was representing the husband [in a divorce] - we were going through the spreadsheet of everything that was staying in the house and attaching value, such as the couch, two grand dining sets, etc."

"The wife asked 'What about all the batteries'. She wanted to know about the batteries in the TV remote and the wall clock, things like that. That was a bit bizarre."

"I've represented someone in the witness protection programme too, where the FBI handled everything - that was very fascinating."

"And I have worked with professional athletes and NFL stars who get paid per touchdown.

"I just had a prenup where someone had hundreds of thousands of sea coral he wanted to protect.

Credit: Instagram / @hollyjmoore

"He was also a professional pinball machine player, which I didn't know existed.

"I get exposed to new things [frequently] and have to learn at least a little about it so I can represent them properly."

Holly, a graduate from Western State University in Orange County, commands a high fee for her expertise, with an hourly rate of £470 ($600).

She also offers free advice, debunking common myths surrounding divorces.

She said: "A lot of people think that things are split 50/50 but this is a huge misconception."

"[As an example], California is a community property state - this means things acquired during the marriage are split equally, but not things obtained before - there are so many complex nuances with credits, reimbursements and loopholes.

People also think that if they leave the house they are abandoning their rights to it, but that's simply not true."

For those considering marriage, Holly advises the drafting of a prenuptial agreement, regardless of whether it is immediately signed.

She doesn't necessarily recommend rushing into it but suggests it's a good way to prompt important conversations that couples should have before getting married.

Credit: Instagram / @hollyjmoore

She said: "People put so much emphasis on the wedding that the actual marriage falls by the wayside and that's a huge mistake."

"Nothing good comes easy and every relationship will have highs and lows. I'm an old soul but I think everyone gives up too easily - quitting your job, divorcing your spouse etc."

Holly, who has been happily married for 20 years to her husband, Jeff, aged 46, believes that the secret to a successful marriage lies in sharing core values.

The lawyer added: "The key to a happy marriage really starts with marrying the right person."

"There are a lot of times when people are divorcing and they are talking about things wrong with the relationship and their partner, that they knew before they got married. Similar core values are hugely important."

"A lot of marital discord revolves around a difference in world view, different opinions on raising kids, even a difference in work ethics.

"Every divorce comes down to one thing, the other person isn't getting their core human needs met.

"We all have four specific human needs: to feel special, to experience variety both in emotions and our practical lives, to have the stability of basic needs like food, clothing and shelter, and to be loved and cared for.

"If I looked at all the divorces, one or both people were lacking one or more of those basic needs.

"It manifests in so many different ways such as infidelity, addiction, abuse, but these are symptoms of an underlying problem."