The 7 Most Ridiculous Things People Have Ever Fought Over in a Divorce

The house, child custody, savings...these are all things people commonly battle over in a divorce, but they’re certainly not the only assets spouses fight about in divorce.

By Katherine Miller Updated: July 09, 2021Categories: Conflict Resolution, Considering Divorce

From Christmas lights to human organs, here are some of the weirdly specific items real couples have fought over during a divorce settlement.

The 7 Most Ridiculous Things People Have Ever Fought Over in a Divorce:

1. Beanie Babies

Would you go to court over stuffed animals? One couple would, anyway.

Back in 1999, Mr. and Mrs. Mountain fought tooth and nail over how to divide their substantial Beanie Baby collection.

Eventually, after proceedings dragged on, the judge ordered the couple to get on the floor and split the Beanie Baby collection in open court.

2. Drinks Coasters

A couple in the UK loved their store-bought drinks coasters so much they couldn’t agree to split them – not even when their lawyer offered to visit the grocery store and buy them a new pack. In reality, this one’s about more than just novelty coasters. It’s about the struggle to let go of a marriage that both parties worked so hard on. That, and a deep-seated fear of coffee table rings.

3. Ashtray

For one couple, an ashtray from Las Vegas was worth spending $5,000 fighting over.

While the husband’s lawyer said it would be cheaper to fly him to Las Vegas and buy an identical ashtray, it wasn’t about the object. Instead, the husband simply wanted the satisfaction of “winning” and smashing the ashtray in front of his soon-to-be-ex-wife, just to spite her.

4. Christmas Lights

How much do you love your Christmas decorations? Well, for one couple, the answer’s this – a lot. Despite having plenty of other assets to share, they spent over $40,000 debating who got the Christmas lights shaped like chili peppers.

Some divorce battles are about sentimental, not financial, value.

5. Pet Goat

This one’s less about fighting and more about spouses who don’t give you a say.

In Australia, one man’s wife walked out on him and took the family dog. She left behind the family goat, which he didn’t ask for. Rather than fight over the custody of the dog, he started taking the goat for daily walks instead.

6. His Name

Andre Young, better known as Dr. Dre, has made millions as a performer and music industry mogul. That name (and all of its associated trademarks, revenues, and royalties) will soon be on the chopping block in LA Family court. Nicole Young is fighting for partial ownership of the famous name, and after a civil court judge threw out her civil suit, the matter will be combined with their ongoing divorce. Celebrity divorces can drag on for years, so we may have to wait a while to find out if she gets the “Dr.” or the “Dre.”

7. A Kidney

Yes, really.

Back in 2001, Dr. Richard Batista gave his wife a kidney. When she filed for divorce in 2005, he demanded she either return the kidney or pay him over $1 million in compensation.

Happily, for Mrs. Batista, the court refused Dr. Batista’s demands. Not only did the court find the proposition ridiculous, but it also warned Dr. Batista that he faced potential criminal prosecution if he attempted to ever “recover” his kidney.