Family Law

Watch Out For Dirty Divorce Tricks

By Dan Nunley, Esq.

Divorce is an extremely emotional event for both husband and wife, regardless of whether the spouse normally wears his emotions on his sleeve or hides his true feelings. Highly charged emotions are the norm and many spouses begin to act in ways that show their dark side. Sometimes they lash out simply because they are hurting and feel angry or betrayed. Other times their actions are based more on a desire to gain some tactical advantage or even to intimidate their spouse.

Some spouses behave badly entirely on their own initiative. Others act unreasonably with direction and encouragement from their attorney who views divorce as a contest to be won at any cost.

I recently came across an article in which the author describes actions that are guaranteed to escalate the animosity between the spouses and that are likely to turn the judge against the spouse who is behaving badly. I encourage you to click on the link below and read the entire article.

Following are some of the actions committed by one spouse in an attempt to injure or harass the other:

• Take money out of jointly held bank accounts, put it all into an account in your name alone and don't tell your spouse about it beforehand.
• Use credit cards to purchase and stock up on personal items or make large purchases. Make sure to use the cards for which your spouse is the primary cardholder.
  
• If you have moved out of the family home and are the primary source of income for the family, refuse to pay any household bills or send any support until you are forced to do it by the court.
  
• If your spouse doesn't have an income withholding order, wait until the latest possible day to pay support money, even if you've got the money to send.
  
• Petition the court for primary custody of your children when you will actually agree to a joint custody or visitation arrangement.
  
• Refuse to speak with your spouse about anything, including arrangements for him or her to have parenting time with your children.
  
• File a bogus petition to have your spouse excluded from the family home under your state's protection from abuse laws.

Source: Don't Be a Victim of Dirty Divorce Tricks by Cathy Meyer.
Source for Post: New York Divorce Report by Daniel Clement .

Full post as published by Oklahoma Family Law Blog on December 18, 2007 (boomark / email).