Dave Portnoy confirms ex-wife still has ‘full access’ to his bank account — says if she wanted to take it, she could. Here’s the reason behind the unusual setup

Though the couple has been separated for years, Portnoy said in a previous interview with ESPN’s Sage Steele that their divorce proceedings stalled when a judge insisted their financial agreement was unfair to Renee. But she didn’t want half, he explained, so they agreed to a private arrangement outside of court.

While Portnoy’s story may sound unconventional, it highlights just how messy and expensive divorce can be.

Divorce can be a costly and drawn-out process

Unless your breakup is as amicable as the Portnoys’, divorce is likely to be both time-consuming and expensive.

A typical case can take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on where the couple lives and how intense the conflict is, according to FindLaw, a Thomson Reuters company. The average divorce involves $11,300 in attorney’s fees alone and the total costs can exceed $20,000 if it goes to trial, according to Martindale-Nolo Research.

And those figures only reflect the legal process — not the long-term financial aftermath.

Splitting assets can disrupt your finances

Couples who go through a divorce often underestimate the impact on their finances and post-divorce lives, according experts interviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Dividing up shared assets is typically the most contentious and complicated part of any divorce. Disagreements over real estate, retirement accounts, or illiquid investments can delay proceedings and cause lasting damage to both parties’ financial health.

But the damage isn’t limited to splitting assets. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis found that on average women lose 9% of their income after a divorce while men lose an average of 17%. Though the reasons vary, factors like new living arrangements, tax filing status changes and healthcare coverage often contribute to a loss of income after a divorce.

For couples over 50, the impact is even more dramatic: A study in The Journals of Gerontology found that women experienced a 45% decline in their standard of living after divorce, while men saw a 21% drop.

Why it pays to plan early for divorce

While Portnoy’s situation is unique, his story underscores the importance of open financial communication before and during divorce. If you’re heading toward separation, it’s wise to consult a financial advisor or attorney to help divide assets fairly and minimize long-term fallout.

Even in the best cases, divorce takes a toll. “But with early planning and the right support, it’s possible to protect your finances and move forward with greater security.

Correction — June 30, 2025: A previous version of this story suggested Dave Portnoy had $150 million in his bank account. In reality, that figure referred to a media estimate of his net worth.