Regardless of whether it's appropriate, you can't undo what's already been done. You can tell your lawyer and see if it's worth fighting her to have your level of financial responsibility reduced, but you have to ask yourself if it's worth the fees you'll be paying out to accomplish that. You also have to be prepared for mitigating circumstances regarding the new car: Is it brand-new or used?-- A used car might not raise eyebrows in court. What was the condition of her previous car? -- If it was more than four years old, some judges might think she deserved a new vehicle. Is it financed? -- If she financed it and the payments are equal to her previous vehicle, a judge might not care. Is it possible a friend or family member bought it for her? -- Even if she's making payments under the table, it can be considered a gift and therefore, not any of your concern. I understand your anger, but sometimes life just isn't fair. Good luck!

FirstEx (my StoopidEx's first wife) talked him into buying a car for her (even though he didn't normally drive and she wouldn't let him--major control freak), even though their marriage was falling apart and they only had one income--his. They separated 2 months later. As part of their divorce, she wanted to keep the car and wanted him to keep the loan. She also took a minimum wage job so that she had work-related expenses (child care, mileage, etc.) to "prove" she deserved more, and to confound the Maryland Child Support calculator (their daughter, who was approaching 2 years of age, would soon no longer qualify for extra support for the stay-at-home parent, but if said custodial parent had to work, she could demonstrate a need for more support). At my suggestion, they did a little horse-trading: They agreed to sell the house (their only real joint asset), gave her 60% of the profit up front, and let her keep the newer car while he took the junkmobile (their old car, a 80's era minivan, both paid off and in sorry shape) in exchange for (1) him taking the marital bills, (2) her declining alimony and (3) her never asking for a child support raise. ===== During our first year of marriage, Hubby and I lived the austere life and paid down or off every bill from the first marriage. Meanwhile, FirstEx's car, which she bought USED and which she had now owned for 2 years, began to act up, so she told Hubby she needed a new car. He shook his head and reminded her that he gave her 60% of the house revenue and was sending her an exorbitant amount of money for child support for 1 child (I had friends who paid less for 2 kids), further noting that our rent plus my new car payment didn't even add up to the monthly child support payment. She grumbled, then never broached the subject again. Next time we saw her, she was in her new car, still complaining about her money crunch. ===== Take-home message: Stuff happens. Learn from it and protect your assets. Good luck.

Yikes. Not a good move on her part. Tell your lawyer.