A Wisconsin woman has attracted attention online after filming a courthouse visit with her estranged husband to file for divorce, followed by a lunch outing in which the pair discussed their paperwork and plans for the future.
The content creator, Holly, who posts on TikTok as @shepherdplayspiano, appeared alongside her husband, James, in a video on 4 November documenting their joint filing. The footage shows the two cooperating during the visit, although it does not establish the full circumstances of their separation.
Divorce Filing Becomes a Joint Outing
'We're going to file for divorce,' Holly said at the beginning of the video, standing beside James before they entered the courthouse.
Afterwards, they stopped for gyros. Holly said they had paid $184.50 (£136.80) to file their paperwork and still had additional forms to complete. During the video, Holly referred to a 120-day waiting period. In Wisconsin, that period begins when a joint divorce petition is filed. The waiting period does not automatically end the marriage; a court must still grant the divorce.
She described the filing as a 'great experience' and 'way easier than what I thought it would be.' Holly said she believed the couple had made the right decision and was optimistic about the future. James responded, 'We'll be better for it, for sure.'
Holly wrote in the accompanying caption: 'I feel really good about this decision. We both have such exciting futures. Just not together.' The post also mentioned a milk truck spraying milk on her car.
The courthouse footage documents a divorce filing, not a completed divorce. Holly and James must still go through the remaining legal process before their marriage is formally dissolved.
Holly Shares How the Marriage Began
In an earlier TikTok video, Holly said she and James met while playing a mobile game and that he proposed about eight months into their relationship.
She also disclosed that she had her two children, Shepherd and Sadie, through fertility treatment while she was a single parent, before marrying James. Holly said the couple later tried to have a child together and described undergoing 14 procedures, experiencing a pregnancy loss and eventually having a hysterectomy.
Holly said the couple then explored surrogacy, which she estimated would cost at least $100,000, and that she began raising funds toward that goal. She said James later told her he 'needs less responsibility.' Holly identified that conversation as part of the circumstances leading to their separation; James's comments about responsibility are presented through her account.
Viewers React to the Unusual Divorce Video
The courthouse video prompted differing responses. 'Never have I seen a couple doing this together,' one viewer commented. Another wrote: 'He doesn't want to be in this video.'
Other commenters focused on the relaxed tone of the outing. 'Can we please normalize divorce and be this non-chalant about it? Amazing!' one wrote. Another said: 'You treating this like a normal post office visit is killing meeee.'
Holly said she feels more energetic and confident since the separation and has received new brand deals. She has not updated her feed as to what her estranged husband feels since the separation.
