The legal battle between Heat star Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade has been documented extensively. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t questions that come up. I noticed the reactions and comments left when one of those stories are posted so, I decided to reach out to Siohvaughn to ask her some of those burning questions we’ve all been wanting to know. Like if she’s still in love with DWade, why hasn’t she gotten a job, does she have a relationship with Gabrielle and why she ran through 10 lawyers.
Jill: Is there a discrepancy between what you are receiving from Dwyane each month as part of your divorce settlement and what has been reported? There were reports of you receiving $1 million plus $25K a month in spousal support.
SFW: There has been no settlement PERIOD. Not even close to the $25k a month reported either. As a matter of fact, Mr. Wade is frequently late on the items he is supposed to pay for. I’ve recently received a noticed about the mortgage on my Chicago home being behind $75,000 and my car insurance has been canceled.
Jill: Ok, so why aren’t you working?
SFW: I’m currently in law school, the course doesn’t really allow for me to have a full time job.
Jill: Has law school always been a goal or did this come following the issues you’ve had with your lawyers during the case
SFW: It has always been something I wanted to do. I put my life on hold when Mr. Wade’s career took off. I raised our son. Even now Mr. Wade is practicing alienation with our children. He’s trying to prevent me from seeing my sons on Mother’s Day this weekend. Usually the boys fly to Chicago to spend it with me but this year Mr. Wade wants to change that.
Jill: That’s interesting considering the Heat play the Bulls this weekend in Chicago. Why do you think he wants to alienate your sons from you. What is the all the “animosity” stemming from?
SFW: It’s about control. He wants to control me, that’s what abusers do. And it’s about money. He wants to create the image of a good family guy for his sponsors, he’ll do anything for money.
Jill: So you feel all of his actions are to prevent him from paying you spousal support and child support?
SFW: It’s all about money.
Jill: Do you think there is a way that you and Dwyane can come together and co-parent without being so reliant on courts and lawyers? If yes, what are those steps in your mind? If he retains custody, would you consider moving back to Miami to be closer to your sons?
SFW: Move to Miami for what? He won’t let me see my sons now so there’s no reason to believe he would if i was in Miami full time. And it’s reached a point now where my oldest son doesn’t want to visit at all. My youngest has been told I don’t want to see them. The other day he got on the phone with me and said he was told that I didn’t want to come see him. I have finals, I’m trying to grow as a person. Mr. Wade is vindictive and he’s trying to turn my sons against me.
I paid out of my own pocket for a mediator to try to resolve the issues. The session was set and Mr. Wade just didn’t show up. No excuse, no call. I’ve made the effort.
Jill: What happened with all your lawyers
SFW: I can’t really go into details about that right now. But I will say that when you aren’t the one paying the bill, things can get interesting.
Jill: How accountable do you hold yourself in the demise of your marriage?
SFW: I’m honest about the mistakes I’ve made in the past.
Jill: Are you still in love with Dwyane.
SFW: I’ve moved on in my life. I’m not interested in talking about love or anything like that.
Jill: With Gabrielle Union being a seemingly permanent fixture in Dwyane’s life. Do you see a time that you two could be friendly or develop some sort of relationship since she plays a role in your son’s lives?
SFW: I’m not answering any question on Ms. Union.
Jill: Do you believe Dwyane has gotten advice from other NBA players as to how to handle the divorce and some of the abuse tactics you claim he’s used.
SFW: Dwyane learned a lot of his abusive behavior from his father. That’s how he ended up living with my family when he was in high school. But I do believe he’s picked up some things since he’s been in the NBA.
Siohvaughn also said that DWade has resorted to legal bullying as well. She maintains that after every interview she’s done, DWade has found some way to retaliate either dragging her back into court or things such as the incident last Father’s Day where he accused her of kidnapping his sons following a visit. Siohvaughn also said that DWade has filed suit to force her to return to work even though he knows that it would impact her being able to attend the current Law programming she’s enrolled in. She did not divulge what school she’s attending in the interest of privacy.
