Dirty Divorce Tricks—And Why You Shouldn’t Consider Them

Dirty Divorce Tricks—And Why You Shouldn’t Consider Them

When a spouse has blindsided you with a divorce, or when infidelity, debts, or other lies have come to light, it can be devastating. It can be so devastating that even the most reasonable people start to think about options that are prohibited under Texas divorce law.

These dirty tricks can be tempting. But they can backfire in a big way. Here are some of the most common ones and what you should know. 

Leaving Your Spouse With Nothing

Texas is a community property state. This means that all assets acquired during the marriage are to be split equally. But even so, many spouses entertain the vindictive thought of emptying the bank account, canceling the credit cards, or cleaning out the house.

However, leaving your spouse with nothing can backfire big time. Emptying a bank account can lead to an emergency hearing and long-term consequences for you that negatively affect the outcome of your divorce.

And canceling your spouse’s credit cards or emptying the house can provoke your spouse to fight. You’ll end up spending more time in court and paying much more in legal fees, which could reduce the financial resources you have available to move forward with your life.

Getting Your Spouse In Trouble

Getting your spouse in trouble may also seem tempting. You may envision revealing your spouse’s adultery to their paramour’s family. But this could lead to a long legal battle that costs you much more than your divorce ordinarily would.

You may also envision getting your spouse fired from their job or reporting them to the IRS. But dirty tactics like this can bite you. You may find yourself without  comfortable child support or an alimony payment that you otherwise would have received if your spouse was employed. You could find yourself struggling to make ends meet.

Leaving Texas With the Kids

Leaving Texas with your children  to unfairly keep them from your spouse is also against Texas law. If our family law courts learn that you intended to deprive your spouse of a relationship with the kids, your spouse could wind up with full custody, and you could find that you are the one who is deprived of valuable time with them. The dishonesty is simply too much to risk.

If You’re Tempted to Take Action, Talk With a Lawyer First

Legal counsel from an experienced attorney can save you a world of heartache. If you’re thinking about taking unfair actions against a spouse—even a liar or a cheater who really deserves it—it’s best to talk with an attorney before you act.

At Schneider Law Firm, P.C., our lawyers can help you know the long-term implications of your actions today. To talk confidentially about your options, call the Arlington, Texas, law office of the Schneider Law Firm, P.C., at 817-799-7125 or send us a message.

Categories:
Divorce