October 16, 2025

Divorce is stressful enough without the added worry of your spouse being honest about their financial situation. Unfortunately, not everyone plays fair when it comes to dividing property or calculating support. Some people go to surprising lengths to keep assets hidden or downplay their income. The result? A settlement that leaves one spouse struggling while the other walks away with more than their fair share.

The good news is you don’t have to catch every detail on your own. Financial misconduct leaves behind warning signs, and with an experienced divorce attorney in your corner, those signs can be uncovered and addressed. By learning what to watch for, you’ll be better prepared to protect your future.

Why Financial Misconduct Is So Damaging

When a marriage ends, both spouses are supposed to be transparent about their financial situation. That means disclosing income, property, debts, and expenses. Courts rely on this information to divide assets and determine child support or spousal support.

If one spouse is hiding money or manipulating financial records, the other spouse risks losing access to the resources they need to move forward. For example:

• If income is underreported, child support may be calculated too low to cover a child’s needs.
• If assets are hidden, property division may be unfairly skewed.
• If debt is secretly accumulated, the innocent spouse may be left responsible for payments they didn’t agree to.

The impact isn’t just financial—it’s emotional too. Discovering that your spouse is being dishonest during a time that already requires so much trust can feel like a second betrayal. That’s why spotting the signs early is so important.

Warning Signs That Point to Misconduct

Every couple’s financial situation is unique, but certain red flags come up again and again in divorces where misconduct is uncovered. Some of the most common include:

• Unexplained withdrawals from joint accounts or frequent large cash transactions.
• A sudden drop in reported income despite no change in lifestyle.
• Missing or incomplete bank statements, tax returns, or business records.
• Secretive behavior around mail, financial apps, or credit card bills.
• New loans, credit cards, or unusual debt that was never discussed.
• Property, valuables, or personal items disappearing without explanation.

Sometimes these behaviors are subtle, but other times they’re hard to miss. A spouse who suddenly changes passwords, reroutes mail, or insists on handling all financial matters alone may be trying to keep you from seeing the big picture.

How These Behaviors Affect Divorce Outcomes

Financial misconduct doesn’t just create headaches—it can dramatically shift the outcome of a divorce. Here’s how:

Property Division

When assets are hidden, the division of property becomes unfair. One spouse may walk away with investments, accounts, or valuable items that the other never even knew existed. This undermines the entire process and can leave the honest spouse at a long-term disadvantage.

Spousal Support

If income is misrepresented, support amounts can be skewed. A spouse claiming to earn less than they really do may pay far less support than what is appropriate. This can impact stability for years after the divorce is finalized.

Child Support

Children often feel the effects when misconduct goes unchecked. If one parent hides resources, the amount of support ordered may not meet the child’s needs. Courts want to make child support decisions based on accurate information, but they can only act on what is presented.

The good news is that courts take dishonesty seriously.

The Role of Attorneys in Uncovering the Truth

Trying to investigate financial misconduct on your own can be overwhelming and may even backfire if done improperly. Attorneys have access to legal tools that allow them to request and review records in ways that carry weight in court.

Through the discovery process, your attorney can:

• Request detailed financial documents.
• Issue subpoenas for bank and employment records.
• Question your spouse under oath about their finances.

These steps are designed to expose inconsistencies and prevent individuals from hiding money. Your attorney also understands how to present this evidence in court so it has the strongest impact on your case.

When Forensic Accountants Get Involved

In more complex situations, attorneys often bring in financial professionals to dig deeper. A forensic accountant can trace funds through bank accounts, tax returns, and business records to spot irregularities. For example, they might notice money being funneled into an overlooked account, or expenses being overstated to reduce reported income.

Their analysis can reveal patterns that an ordinary review might not catch. By working alongside your attorney, they provide a fuller picture of the finances and can strengthen your case in court.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Even though your attorney will take the lead in uncovering misconduct, there are practical steps you can take to help the process:

• Gather and keep copies of financial records you already have access to, like pay stubs, tax returns, or account statements.
• Pay attention to changes in your spouse’s behavior around money. Things like becoming unusually secretive or suddenly insisting you don’t need to see certain records.
• Keep notes of anything that feels unusual, including dates and details of transactions that don’t add up.

At the same time, it’s essential not to take matters into your own hands in ways that could hurt your case. Accessing accounts you aren’t authorized to view or attempting to transfer money yourself can lead to legal problems. Instead, share your concerns with your attorney and let them guide the next steps.

Peace of Mind Moving Forward

Facing financial misconduct during a divorce is intimidating, but you don’t have to handle it on your own. When you have a legal team working for you, hidden accounts can be uncovered, missing records can be obtained, and misleading claims can be challenged. That allows the court to make decisions based on reality, not deception.

Divorce represents a new chapter, and your financial stability is a key part of building that future. By recognizing the signs of misconduct and trusting professionals to investigate, you give yourself the best chance at a fair outcome.

Protecting your financial future starts with the right support. If you believe your spouse may be hiding money or mishandling assets, I can help. Contact my office today and take the first step toward securing a fair outcome.