You may have heard of so-called dirty divorce tactics or what you do not want to do while getting divorced. These tactics can cause a lot of headaches and lead to major issues, so if you find that your soon-to-be ex-spouse is engaging in them, it is best to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as you can. Fortunately, the right lawyer will be able to help you address these tactics and prove them to the court. Today, we go over what dirty divorce tactics consist of and what to do when your spouse attempts them.
Dirty Divorce Techniques Explained
Dirty divorce tactics could consist of anything from trying to manipulate your children, so they prefer one parent over the other to engaging in fights in public. Here are some common dirty divorce techniques explained:
Turning your children against you
If your spouse tries to manipulate your kids and starts speaking badly about you to them or sharing inaccurate stories, it is time to speak with your lawyer. See if you can have a conversation with your spouse about why he/she is doing this. If this is not possible, consult with your lawyer and come up with a strategy on how to best deal with this behavior. While it is okay for your spouse to be upset about the divorce and showcase some of these feelings in front of your children, it is not okay for your spouse to be lying to your kids or manipulating them to sway their opinions.
Purposefully embarrassing you
Your spouse may try to share the news of your divorce publicly to embarrass you. There is also the possibility that your spouse will serve you divorce papers at work or somewhere else that could cause you embarrassment or discomfort. He/she may also share inappropriate photographs of you while you were married on social media.
Wasting marital assets
Your spouse is not allowed to purposefully spend marital assets on expensive purchases because he/she is upset about the divorce. There is a difference between occasionally buying a nice gift and spending thousands of dollars on shopping sprees, new cars, and elective surgeries. Wasteful spending might include but is not limited to the following:
- Lavish vacations
- Gambling
- Shopping sprees
- New vehicles
- Expensive gifts
- Additional homes
- Vacation homes
Attempting to hide any assets from you
You have the legal right to know of all your spouse’s marital assets. If you suspect that your spouse is hiding bank accounts, property, real estate, or other assets from you, you should speak to your attorney as soon as possible to come up with a plan.
Avoiding paying spousal support or child support
It is also possible that your spouse will try to avoid paying spousal support and child support. This is not legal, and your spouse will have to deal with the consequences of doing so. Dealing with a difficult spouse is not an easy feat though, so ensure you speak with your lawyer and consult with a therapist or loved ones if you need additional support.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are struggling with your spouse’s dirty divorce tactics, contact our office online to schedule a consultation.