Married couples decide to divorce for various different reasons. Frequently, spouses grow apart over time. There’s no single precipitating incident that leads to divorce but just a slow shift in the dynamic between the spouses.
Other times, one spouse uncovers previously hidden information that makes them feel unsafe in the relationship. Financial infidelity can be devastating to a marriage. Many couples end up divorcing because of the financial infidelity of one spouse. Divorces related to financial infidelity often become quite complicated very quickly because of the intense emotions involved and the need to conduct an extensive financial review.
What constitutes financial infidelity?
Infidelity, at its roots, involves misrepresentation and subterfuge. Financial infidelity can relate to several different types of behavior. Sometimes, one spouse doesn’t disclose all of their debt before marriage and hides their spending habits during the marriage. They may have a substantial amount of debt that the other spouse is not aware of until something goes drastically wrong.
Other times, financial infidelity may involve lies related to income and assets. People who may not expect their marriages to last indefinitely might lie about how much they make or what assets they have in their name. They might not disclose their investments or other valuable resources to their spouse. One spouse discovering that the other has hidden debts or assets can damage the trust between the spouses and potentially also the financial stability of the relationship.
How financial infidelity complicates divorce
Financial infidelity can make divorce more stressful because of the intense emotions it may provoke in one spouse. The individual who uncovers the lies may feel betrayed and angry. Those emotions can then lead to a more difficult divorce process.
Frequently, financial infidelity causes issues because it raises questions about the reliability of financial information. The other spouse may feel compelled to work with a forensic accountant and do a thorough review of marital financial records to ensure that they receive a fair outcome in the divorce.
Those who have discovered concerning signs of potential financial infidelity may need help deciding how to respond. Filing for divorce after discovering years of lies may be the best option, but people may need help protecting themselves during divorces involving to financial misconduct.
