i am going to play devils advocate here. Indulge me.
MS was madly in love with TS. they built a life and a practice together. In a divorce, at least the way things are done today, most things are negotiated. One party would have to buy the other party out of the home and also out of the business. He helped build the business and it could be argued , successfully, imo, that her success was due in part with his management of the company books and office personnel and that he contributed to other lucrative deals. Since she was the higher wage earner, she would have to pay HIM either alimony or at least child support for the time the children would spend with him. ( Split custody is very in right now with kids being like gypsies traveling from one home to the other to spend several days a week with each parent)
MS has given up his life and career and personal ambitions to be MR MOM. Life going forward, after a divorce has to be addressed by the court. MS is not going to walk away a pauper, imo. It all boils down to who wanted OUT, imo. If he wanted out, he might just take what the court awards or what he and the lawyers can negotiate. If SHE wanted out, he is mean, jealous, disturbed, insecure and vengeful. IMO, TS wanted out. JMO. I have no idea what goes on behind closed doors, ya know? MOO
This was my initial gut reaction, and in the last few days I came right back here. Statistically, men don't leave their wives unless they have someone else. If he had someone else, why wouldn't he just get a divorce? It's not unheard of, but what are the chances that his new partner would go along with a murder plot? And if the new partner didn't know about the plot, why would he take such a huge chance, when he could simply get a divorce - it seems like he would be entitled to both spousal and child support. If he was truly smitten by someone else, how would that lead his thoughts to something so vicious as murder? Wouldn't that kind of ruin his self-image as a loving father and family man, and cast a shadow on the new relationship/life?
If he felt wronged, however, he could be very bitter. If it was not in his control, he could feel panicked. And CWW, who might have otherwise said, "Dude, just divorce her and move on with your new woman," might be convinced that TS was ruining his friend's life after all MS had done for her and sympathize enough to help him.