Be Prepared…
Divorce can leave one feeling vulnerable. Emotions sometimes keep one from thinking rationally, especially during a difficult time such as a divorce. During the divorce proceedings, you should be aware that the attorney for your soon-to-be ex-spouse may have a few tricks in mind. Being aware of some of the common tricks divorce attorneys use can help you be better prepared for your day in court.
Bank Accounts
There are some divorce attorney’s out there who advise their clients to take money out of jointly held bank accounts, transferring into an account in the client’s name only. This could leave you financially devastated being unable to cover checks written on the account and leaving you with no money to pay upcoming bills. Advise your bank of your relationship status and ask them to notify you of any major withdrawals from your account.
Credit Cards
Another trick is charging your credit cards to the maximum limit. Your spouse can be advised to make any major purchases needed using your credit leaving you responsible for the bill. You are held responsible for any debt on credit cards in your own name. If your spouse has access to your credit cards, it may be advisable to cancel these cards.
Withholding Money
Your spouse may be advised to withhold money from you, refusing to pay any bills or offer any support until forced to do so by the court. If your spouse is the major source of income for your family, this can lead to financial hardship. The goal is to make you desperate and willing to accept a financial settlement that may not be in your best interest. Your spouse may also wait until the last possible moment to make any support payments due to you, since in some states support doesn’t become delinquent until after 30 days.
Filing for Custody
Even if you and your spouse have discussed joint custody with the children, you may find that he or she has filed for primary custody of your children. The children may be used as pawns and this is often done as a ploy to get you to agree to another issue, usually a financial one. This is an issue that should be discussed with your own attorney who may advise you to file a counter-suit, leaving the decision to the judge and allowing you to retain custody until a decision is made in court.
Sources:
Dirty http://www.marilynstowe.co.uk/2008/05/14/dirty-divorce-tricks-%E2%80%93-part-1/ Divorce Tricks
http://www.divorcesource.com/MN/ARTICLES/nelson23.html
http://www.irwinpollack.com/Divorce-Information-Center/Dirty-Divorce-Tricks.aspx
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Comparetto1.html
