What is financial abuse? What are examples of financial abuse? Financial control can be part of a nefarious plot and key part of making the victim feel impotent, dependent, and isolated. Because financial abuse is so damaging, it must be addressed in the divorce. Why does financial abuse happen? How do you identify financial abuse in a relationship?
What motivates the abuser? Why do some spouses feel the need to be in absolute control of the family finances? Domestic financial abuse is about control. Financial control could include using legitimate financial tools designed to prevent fraud, for the abusive purpose of tracking the other spouse. The abuser may keep the other spouse in absolute darkness as to marital resources and debts.
Lack of communication is an issue for many couples facing divorce. But the controlling spouse may never discuss finances with the victim. Financial abuse can involve keeping the other spouse's name off the title to marital property. Abusive behavior includes paying the bills by using all of the victim's separate money first. Financial abuse can be criminal, too. As with fraud, embezzlement, and extortion. Some narcissists look to financial abuse as a primary tool for control.
How is financial abuse proved in court? Proving financial abuse can be challenging. It's important to provide documentation of the abuse. Witnesses may also testify to what they know firsthand.
What should you do? Get safe. Get counseling. Get an experienced family lawyer. Get help from a financial advisor with the proper credentials and experience. When the divorce complaint is filed, Tennessee's mandatory injunction goes into effect. Your state may have similar provisions. If not, discuss with your lawyer filing for specific financial injunctions.
Help us get out the word about this serious and not often discussed problem.
Visit MemphisDivorce.com https://memphisdivorce.com/ Tennessee’s leading family law web resource for readers and lawyers. MemphisDivorce.com answers hundreds of frequently asked questions on divorce, alimony, custody, and more, with videos, our Tennessee Family Law Blog, and a free Tennessee Child Support Calculator app for your smart phone. Discover all you can learn.
