Dear valued community,

I hope this note finds you well. Today, I reach out with a deeply personal matter that has dramatically changed my life. My wife and I, after a journey of 25 years together, are in the process of divorcing. This was not my wish, but in California, mutual consent is not required for a divorce.

Two years ago, we jointly purchased our home, a sanctuary that I've grown to cherish. As our divorce proceeds, the need to remove her name from our mortgage looms. However, I'm confronted by a substantial hurdle: my debt ratio currently stands a 63%, while the mortgage company requires it to be below 50% for a refinancing approval under my sole name.

My total debt has reached approximately $6,000, primarily from essential household expenses and a now-closed joint credit card. The closure of this account has added to my financial burden, making it challenging to qualify for a refinance.

When my wife was still here, she managed the utilities and groceries, enabling me to concentrate on repaying our debts. Now, her absence has not only increased my financial responsibilities but also limited my ability to afford necessities due to the lack of a vehicle.

Further compounding my sorrow is the absence of our beloved pet, Bello, who brought comfort and joy into our lives, but now resides with my wife.

If I cannot alleviate this debt, the prospect of losing my cherished home becomes real. I would have to sell it and face the uncertainty of where to relocate. The peaceful haven of Chino Valley, AZ, a nurturing community I dearly love, might no longer be home.

My health complicates matters further, as I've grappled with fibromyalgia and a unique elbow condition for the past 22 years, leaving me in constant pain and unable to work.

With a humble heart, I ask for your support. Any contribution, small or large, to help reduce my debt of $6,000 would allow me to refinance the mortgage solely in my name, ensuring I can retain my home. Any additional monies will go to paying down my mortgage.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for any support you can give.

Alan Byler