When financial deceit threatens your future

Nearly all spouses keep some kind of financial secrets from their partners. This deception may be something small like a splurge at the mall or something embarrassing like credit card debt. In some cases, however, a spouse may hide income, assets or spending habits that may affect the welfare of the family or the level of trust the couple shares.

If your spouse is financially unfaithful, it could be because he or she wants to maintain control over you by controlling the money. This may be especially significant if you and your spouse are heading toward divorce.

Uncovering financial infidelity

Marriage counselors say that earning, spending and saving are topics that you and your spouse should discuss frequently if your relationship is healthy. If this is not happening, there is a chance that your spouse may be intentionally keeping you in the dark about family finances. Some signs that your spouse might be hiding money from you may include:

  • You spouse complains that business is terrible to cover the fact that he or she is spending or otherwise diverting money from joint accounts.
  • You are suddenly unable to find important financial papers, such as tax documents or bank statements.
  • Bills that used to come to your home are now going to your spouse’s office or a post office box.
  • Your spouse suddenly removes your name from joint accounts or credit cards.
  • Your spouse changes the passwords for online account access.
  • Your spouse makes excuses to avoid conversations about money.

If you are uncertain about the amount of money your spouse makes or the true state of your financial situation, you may not know what a fair and equitable division of assets would be as your divorce proceeds. It is often the intention of a financially unfaithful spouse to protect a portion of the marital assets from property division in a divorce.

Holding your spouse accountable

Obtaining the maximum amount you are due in a divorce settlement is essential to your financial future. If your spouse hides assets that are part of the martial estate, you have every right to seek them out and claim your share. However, doing this on your own may be tricky, and if not done properly, you risk losing those assets forever.

To improve your chances of finding the assets your spouse may have hidden from you, you may wish to enlist the help of a family law attorney with a history of success in high asset and complex divorces in Pennsylvania. Such an attorney will have the resources and experience to analyze your spouse’s circumstances and seek out ways he or she may be keeping money or other assets from you. Having someone to look out for your best interests will help ensure that your future ex won’t get away with dishonesty.

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