'Sister Wives' Meri Brown's Move To Finalize Divorce Met With Resistance From Kody

Meri Brown's bid to finalize her divorce from Kody Brown is hitting a snag. The patriarch is pushing back against her request for a church-sanctioned "release."

Kody's dismissal of the church's authority reveals the tensions simmering within their long-ended polygamous marriage. This resistance comes after Meri unveiled her new boyfriend earlier this year, highlighting her desire for independence.

As the divorce process unfolds, it seems Meri Brown's quest for closure may be more complicated than she anticipated.

Meri, feeling the weight of their unresolved relationship, believes it is time to officially sever ties. Having been married through their church, the Apostolic United Brethren, she argues that it is necessary to terminate their "covenant" since they are not moving toward reconciliation.

"I don't want to be, like, sealed to him for eternity if he doesn't want me. I'm at a place that like, let's just separate this completely," the 53-year-old explained, emphasizing her desire for a clean break.

In a candid confession during the September 22 episode of "Sister Wives," Meri expressed her frustration with Kody's hesitance to discuss their separation. According to PEOPLE, the TV personality claims Kody does not "want to acknowledge the authority of the church leaders."

However, after nearly a decade of living in limbo, Meri is ready to take control of her future. "I'm moving forward with this," she declared, determined to embrace the next chapter of her life despite Kody's resistance.

In a revealing moment during the TLC show, Kody discussed the fallout from his split with Meri. "About eight weeks ago, Meri told me that she was going to go to Utah, meet with our church leaders, and basically request a divorce," the 55-year-old shared. 

Within their faith, this process is referred to as a "release," but for Kody, the damage was already irreparable. He expressed a sense of resignation, stating, "We're not going to reconcile no matter what."

Kody further emphasized his disillusionment with the church's authority, asserting, "I don't want to be accountable to this church and all their BS."

His frustration led him to encourage Meri to move on, reflecting that it had taken her far too long to recognize that their relationship had ended years ago.

After more than 32 years together, Meri and Kody confirmed their separation publicly in January 2023, marking the end of a significant chapter in their lives.

While Meri is finally ready to break free from her troubled past with Kody, a significant moment from the relationship may have fueled her decision.

Last year, the mother-of-one shared one of her most humiliating experiences—the symbolic melting of her wedding ring—which marked a turning point in their marriage.

At the time, The Blast reported that Meri opened up about the emotional impact of Kody's decision to melt down the ring. For her, this act represented much more than just the loss of a piece of jewelry; it felt like the disintegration of their entire relationship.

"Who's to say that he didn't just melt down our whole relationship in that moment? Symbolically, that's what he did to me," Meri reflected, highlighting the deep pain caused by this choice.

The act was not merely a practical decision; it was a conscious move by Kody to assert his independence as he welcomed a new wife, Robyn Brown.

Before his present resistance, Kody made it abundantly clear that he is ready to move on from his marriage to Meri, a sentiment that has been evident for quite some time.

During a revealing segment of TLC's "Sister Wives: One on One Special" in 2023, Kody's controversial remarks about Meri left fans—and Meri herself—reeling.

In this episode, Kody openly stated that he no longer considered himself married to Meri, an admission that drew immediate reactions from both Meri and her former 'Sister Wife,' Christine. 

The reality TV star expressed her disappointment, pointing out how "low and uncool" it was to learn of their separation through television. Reflecting on their years together, Meri acknowledged the emotional detachment she felt from Kody long before their official split in January 2023. 

Despite his clear disinterest in remaining part of her life, she emphasized her commitment to her own happiness.

Meri showed fans how much she had moved on from the polygamous marriage when she introduced them to her new boyfriend, Amos. 

The Blast observed that Meri revealed her relationship with her new beau in an Instagram post after her 53rd birthday, showcased by a series of joyful photos. 

The couple posed in front of festive Christmas decorations and enjoyed outdoor adventures with her beloved dog, Zona. Throughout the snapshots, Meri's radiant smile reflected her happiness, and her caption exuded excitement:

"Birthday #53 is looking a bit different for me this year, and might I say, I like how it looks! Meet Amos, the good-looking guy I've been dating since October!"

Meri highlighted the qualities that make their bond special, noting, "He's not 6 foot 6, nor is he a pilot, but he loves Christmas almost as much as I do, and we laugh a lot together, both of which are important elements to a relationship!" 

Initially, Meri kept their romance under wraps, explaining that she wanted to savor the early days of their relationship. In conclusion, she shared, "I feel like I'm getting this year off to a great start, and I can't wait to share more with you as the year moves forward!"