Playing Dirty in a Divorce
Divorce can be a messy and complicated process, but when one spouse decides to “play dirty” to gain the upper hand, it can take the difficulty of the situation to a whole new level. Whether it’s manipulating the other party or withholding information, playing dirty in a divorce can have serious consequences.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss several of the unethical tactics people sometimes use in divorce proceedings, including hiding assets and engaging in aggressive behavior. Read on to learn more about the tactics used by those playing dirty in a divorce.
Hiding Assets
One of the most common unethical divorce tactics is hiding assets. This involves keeping assets out of sight by placing them in secret accounts, transferring them to third parties, or purposely undervaluing them. These assets could include anything from cash and investments to vehicles, property, artwork, and even jewelry. Hiding assets can effectively prevent a spouse from receiving their fair share of the marital estate. It’s illegal in many states, and a court may impose penalties on those found guilty.
Lying About Income
Another common unethical divorce tactic is lying about income and underreporting or concealing income to reduce the amount of alimony or child support owed. It can also involve hiding assets or transferring them to family members or friends, making them difficult to track down during a divorce. Sometimes, people may lie about their job title or the amount they make to get a more favorable settlement. This tactic is not only unethical, but it can also be illegal in some states.
Requesting Child Custody to Lessen Child Support
Some people going through a divorce will try to game the system by requesting child custody to lessen their child support obligations. This tactic is unethical and can have serious repercussions. Courts can deny custody requests if they feel they are in bad faith. Furthermore, the court may even order the offending parent to pay more child support than initially agreed upon.
Making False Accusations
Falsely accusing your spouse of infidelity, domestic violence, or other unsavory behavior is commonly used to gain leverage in a divorce. Unfortunately, false accusations can quickly spiral out of control, creating even more contention between both parties. In some cases, these false accusations can lead to criminal charges, which can have long-term consequences. It’s important to remember that making false accusations puts you at risk of legal action, erodes trust, and further damages any remaining respect between you and your former spouse.
Alienating Children From the Other Parent
Unethical tactics during a divorce can involve one parent attempting to damage the relationship between their child and the other parent by bad-mouthing the parent, speaking negatively about them in front of the child, or refusing to allow the child to visit with the other parent. Alienating children from the other parent can be emotionally damaging to both the child and the other parent.
Canceling Credit Cards
To keep their ex-spouse from using any existing credit cards, some people may take the drastic step of canceling all cards they share. This is even more unethical if one partner is unaware of the cancellation. Canceling cards is seen as punitive and can be seen as a way to cut off the other spouse financially and make it difficult for them to build their credit after the divorce.
Stealing or Hiding Important Documents
One of the more serious unethical tactics people can use during a divorce is stealing or hiding important documents. Documents such as bank statements, tax returns, and financial records can be used in a divorce to determine assets and liabilities. If one spouse takes or hides these documents, it can be difficult for the other spouse to get their share of the property.
How a Georgia Divorce Lawyer Can Help
Divorce can be an incredibly difficult and emotionally taxing process. However, it’s important to remember that you can pursue recourse for unethical tactics with help from a knowledgeable Georgia divorce lawyer. An experienced divorce attorney can advise you on the most appropriate course of action, gather evidence to support your claims, represent you in court, and more.
Speak With an Atlanta Divorce Attorney Today
If you’re considering filing for divorce in Georgia and are concerned about your spouse’s unethical tactics, having an experienced and knowledgeable attorney is essential. At Kessler & Solomiany, LLC, our attorneys understand the tactics some spouses may resort to during a divorce and will help protect your rights and interests. Contact us at (404) 688-8810 to discuss your case with one of our experienced Atlanta divorce lawyers.
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