Sneaky Divorce Tactics

Sneaky Divorce Tactics

In an ideal world, a couple would simultaneously come to an agreement that their marriage is not working, would take time to determine how they could amicably separate and would proceed throughout the divorce process with care and kindness. Although this is the scenario that divorcing spouses hope for, it is often not the reality of the situation. 

Divorce can conjure up many strong emotions and lead to one or both parties attempting to gain the upper hand and take as much as they can on their way out the door. For this reason, it is helpful to work with an experienced Fort Worth, Texas, divorce attorney who can help to prepare and protect you against sneaky, hurtful divorce tactics. 

Some of the common tactics to watch out for include a partner who will attempt to do some or all of the following. 

Delaying the Divorce Process

One of the most common tactics is for your partner to attempt to slow and delay the divorce process. This is especially true for those spouses who are either in denial about the divorce or want to prevent it from moving forward, hoping that there will be a reconciliation. 

Delaying the process by refusing to sign the paperwork, discussing the division of assets, or even communicating with the children is a widely used tactic since it is relatively easy to simply do nothing. This can cause tremendous stress for the partner who is looking for a quick and straightforward divorce and can lead to resentment and other challenges in communication. It can also result in increased legal fees as parties go back and forth between their attorneys. 

Hiding Assets During a Divorce

In Texas, the courts assume that all property acquired after a marriage is community property, or property of the marriage estate, meaning that during a divorce, assets gained during the marriage are typically divided fairly and justly. Knowing this, one of the most harmful divorce tactics is when one spouse attempts to hide assets so that they will not be included in the division of finances. 

There are many different ways that assets can be hidden during a divorce, and this is a big red flag to watch for as it can negatively impact whichever spouse is left in the dark. Some of the typical ways that one spouse may attempt to hide assets include: 

• Concealing their true income or reporting incorrect numbers for income.
• Temporarily transferring money to secret accounts, friends, or family members without notifying their partner.
• Attempting to undervalue shared assets like real estate, artwork, or jewelry. 

One of the best ways to protect yourself against this is to familiarize yourself with all of your assets before entering the divorce process, if possible. Download bank statements, make sure that you are included as an account holder on accounts, and keep track of property and other assets. Your attorney can help advise best practices as well. If needed, your lawyer can hire a professional to uncover hidden assets as well. 

Lying about Finances

In addition to attempting to conceal money and assets, some people may also try to lie about their finances during the divorce process in order to impact alimony or child support. For example, this could look like: 

• Saying that they were recently fired from their job to indicate they have no income.
• Create fake debt in order to reduce the amount of their financial responsibility as a divorce is settled. 
• Exaggerating their expenses or creating false expenses to make it seem like they need more financial assistance than they do. 

Attempting to Manipulate Children

It might not seem believable that a parent would attempt to encourage their children to take sides, but this does happen, often in an attempt to manipulate child custody. One of the most painful sneaky divorce tactics is when your partner tries to get your children “on their side” throughout the divorce. This might mean oversharing information about the reason for the divorce, telling them that you are not willing to be their parent anymore, scaring them about the process of separation, and worse. 

Of all the divorce tactics, this one can result in the most emotional stress for both you and your children. Although it is impossible to control what your partner says when you are not around, it is important to document as much as possible. Save your emails, text messages, photos, and any other relevant information. Most importantly, try to provide a safe, neutral place for your children to feel like they are not required to take sides. 

Making Untrue Accusations 

Making false statements in order to defile your reputation is an easy and common tactic that an angry spouse may use during the divorce. This can cause emotional distress and alienation from friends and family who might not know better than to believe these mistruths. Your ex might even try to gather personal information about you by checking your email, social media, or private messages on your phone. 

The best way to protect yourself in advance is to change your passwords on all accounts. Speak with friends and family members to alert them and keep an open line of communication so you can be aware and keep records of these attempts to spread false information. It is also advisable to tell your attorney what is going on so that they can attempt to find ways to protect you from this harmful behavior. 

Speak with a Skilled Texas Divorce Attorney Right Away

If you or someone you know is dealing with a challenging divorce, it is advisable to speak with an experienced Texas Divorce Lawyer as soon as possible. A divorce, especially with an uncooperative spouse, can be a stressful situation that leaves all parties drained and unsatisfied. 

The team at MBH Fort Worth Family Law is dedicated to helping our clients who are going through a divorce come to a resolution as quickly as possible. If you have questions or are struggling with your divorce, contact us online today to schedule a free initial consultation. 

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Constance Mims

Constance Mims has over fifteen years of experience practicing exclusively family law. Mrs. Mims is Board Certified in Family Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is Collaborative Law certified and is a shrewd negotiator, not to mention her experience in the most challenging child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, alimony, prenuptial agreements, and divorce issues, both in court and in the appellate arena.