Sneaky Tactics Your Spouse May Use During Divorce: A Guide to Protecting Yourself
Divorce can be a painful process, full of lengthy court proceedings, division of assets, and child custody battles. And to make matters worse, your soon-to-be ex-partner may be using sneaky tactics to try and get the upper hand.
But fear not! We’ve talked to a divorce lawyer and collected some valuable insights to help protect you during this trying time. One of the most common tactics your spouse may use is hiding income and assets.
How to Protect Yourself From Financial Fraud
This can make it difficult to divide property fairly and can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress and frustration. But how do they do it?
- Not disclosing important information
- Transferring money to an offshore account or a relative’s account
- Making large purchases in someone else’s name
- Hiding valuables in undisclosed locations
And if you’re not careful, you could end up with less than what you’re entitled to. So, what can you do to protect yourself from financial fraud during a divorce?
- Consult a forensic accountant. These professionals have specialized training in detecting financial fraud and can help you uncover any hidden assets.
- Use the “discovery process” tool. This allows you to request information from your soon-to-be-ex, including bank statements, tax returns, and other important documents.
- Ask for formal disclosures, interrogatories, admission of facts, subpoenas, or entry upon land for inspection. These legal tools can help you get the information you need to make sure your divorce settlement is fair and equitable.
- Keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior from your spouse. Do they suddenly have a new car or expensive jewelry? Are they taking lavish vacations or spending money on extravagant gifts? These could all be signs that they’re trying to hide something.
In conclusion, divorce can be a difficult and emotional process, but by staying informed and taking the necessary steps to protect yourself, you can ensure that you come out the other side with a fair settlement. Whether it’s consulting a forensic accountant or using legal tools to uncover hidden assets, don’t let your soon-to-be-ex get the upper hand.
Dealing With Intentional Underemployment
When going through a divorce, it’s common for one spouse to try and get the upper hand, resulting in sneaky tactics and malicious acts. One such tactic is engaging in voluntary underemployment, where a spouse intentionally chooses to work a job that pays much less than their earning potential to evade paying for child support or alimony.
So, how do you deal with a spouse who is intentionally underemployed? The first step is to bring up the issue with your lawyer. A good divorce lawyer will have experience dealing with underemployed spouses and can guide you through the process of proving it in court.
To prove underemployment, you’ll need to provide evidence that your spouse is capable of earning more but choosing not to.
- Investigate their job search history. If they’ve applied for jobs that are beneath their skills or qualifications, it could be a sign that they’re intentionally choosing underemployment.
- Compare their earning history to their current income. If there’s a significant drop in income after the divorce, it could be a red flag.
If you’re able to provide sufficient evidence, you can seek a voluntary underemployment order from the court. This order requires your spouse to make a good faith effort to earn their full earning potential, which can include taking courses, training programs, and seeking employment opportunities that match their skills and qualifications. The court may also order your spouse to pay retroactive child support or alimony based on their full earning potential.
Dealing With Intentional Delays
Another sneaky tactic you might encounter during a divorce is intentionally delaying things. Your spouse might drag their feet when it comes to property division, child custody, or even the divorce itself. This delay tactic can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety, on top of the already stressful situation.
If you’re faced with a spouse who is intentionally delaying things, here are some ways to deal with it:
- Document everything. Keep detailed records of all communication with your spouse and their lawyer, including emails, texts, and phone calls. This documentation can be used in court if necessary.
- Set deadlines. When it comes to things like property division and child custody, set a reasonable deadline for your spouse to respond. If they fail to meet the deadline, you can use that as evidence of intentional delay.
- Get a court order. If your spouse is refusing to comply with court-ordered deadlines, you can seek a court order to enforce it. This can include fines or even jail time if necessary.
- Contact a mediator. If you’re having difficulty communicating with your spouse, a mediator can help facilitate a productive conversation and hopefully avoid further delays.
Overall, divorce can be a tumultuous and emotional process. By staying informed, staying organized, and seeking the help of a skilled divorce lawyer, you can protect yourself from sneaky tactics and come out the other side with a settlement that’s fair and just.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, going through a divorce can be tough, and often times, one spouse may go to great lengths to get the upper hand. From hiding income and assets, engaging in voluntary underemployment, to intentionally delaying things, it’s essential to recognize these sneaky tactics and protect yourself.
Consulting a skilled divorce lawyer, gathering sufficient evidence, and seeking court orders are a few methods to deal with malicious tactics. By following these steps, you can ensure you get a fair and equitable divorce settlement.
Remember, although divorce can be difficult, staying informed and proactive is key to protecting yourself from sneaky tactics.
