Help Me Stay in the Home I Fought So Hard For

Trying to buy out my ex so my kids and I don’t lose everything.

Hi, I’m Amy — born and raised in Las Vegas, a proud mom of two, and currently trying to hold onto the last piece of stability we have: our home.

I’ve never had generational wealth or a financial safety net. But back in 2013, at just 23 years old, I did something life-changing: I purchased land for a new build — my very first home — all by myself, with my son by my side. I moved in the following spring, and that home became a symbol of everything I had worked for. It felt like I was breaking cycles and creating a better future for us.

Shortly after moving in, I met the man who would later become my husband. Four years later, we got married. We had my daughter and eventually decided to buy a bigger home for our growing family. To make that happen, I sold my first home — the one that was solely in my name — and used all of the equity I had worked so hard to build to purchase our current home.

At the time, I didn’t realize that decision would cost me everything I had built.

Our marriage was rocky from the beginning. There were many times I considered leaving, and I even threatened to — but deep down I knew that if I filed first, I risked losing the house. So I stayed longer than I should have, trying to hold things together. Then, not long ago, he finally filed. His mom helped him retain an attorney, and our divorce was finalized shortly after.

Because we didn’t have a prenup, our home — and everything else — was split 50/50 under Nevada law. Even though I used my own funds and the equity from my previous home to make this purchase, my ex is now legally entitled to half. He didn’t contribute to the down payment, yet he’ll walk away with close to $100,000 — and I’m left trying to figure out how to keep a roof over our heads.

He’ll go move on with his mom while I’m hustling alone to hold it together for our kids.

My goal is simple: I’m trying to raise enough to buy him out so I can stay in the home with my children. We’ve had our house on the market for over two months. We’ve been packed and ready to go — but stuck. Emotionally, mentally, and physically. It’s been incredibly hard on the kids. We can’t move forward unless someone buys the home… or I’m somehow able to buy him out. And my deepest hope is that I can. I want to give my kids some kind of closure, peace, and stability — not more uncertainty.

If we drop the price any further, I won’t have enough equity left to purchase even a two-bedroom condo — where my plan is to sleep in the dining room so my kids can have their own rooms. Rent is so high right now, it easily takes up an entire paycheck, which makes starting over feel impossible. Today’s interest rates and home prices are so high, I honestly feel like I’ve lost everything I worked for when I bought my first home.

This summer has been painful. The house is mostly packed up. My ex is still living here. I’m still here. No one can move forward. It’s taking a toll on all of us — especially my son, who is almost 16. He remembers the first home. He was there before anyone else. This is deeply personal for him. My daughter was too young to remember that first house, but this current home is all she’s ever known.

I don’t want them to lose another home. I want to show them that I fought for our stability — for their future.

And I want to say this — because I’ve seen it happen. I know some people will laugh. I know many moms laugh at stories like mine or assume it’s for clout. But this isn’t entertainment — this is my real life. I’m not here to compare traumas or say my pain is worse than anyone else’s. Everyone has their own struggles. I’m just here, sharing mine. And to the people who say, “At least you have a home,” please understand — that’s not helpful. Imagine working so hard to do better than what you were raised with, only to have it all taken from you anyway.

And it’s not just being taken from me — it’s being taken from my son, from my kids. This isn’t just about bricks and walls. This is their foundation, their memories, their peace.

The last 12 years have been incredibly difficult. Behind closed doors, there was emotional pain, control, and circumstances I won’t fully unpack here — but let’s just say things were not what they seemed on the outside. I stayed for years trying to keep the peace, but now that it’s over, he’ll be moving in with his mom… and I’ll be left to start over alone.

This isn’t just about a house. This is about preserving what little I have left after pouring everything into a relationship that didn’t last — and trying to protect my kids from more loss and instability.

If you’re able to help, whether it’s $1 or simply sharing this, it would mean everything. Every donation, every kind word, and every share helps me work toward staying in the home I once fought so hard to build — and I’m not ready to give up now.

With love and deep gratitude,

Amy