When a marriage ends, it's likely to be a difficult and emotional time for both parties involved. Divorce can bring about feelings of anger, resentment, and bitterness, which can lead to emotional behavior and possibly even vindictiveness.
The consequences of a divorce can also be far-reaching, affecting your finances, family dynamic, and mental and emotional well-being. While it may be difficult to accept that your spouse is capable of such behavior, it's important to be vigilant and protect both yourself and your family. It's essential to remember you are not alone, and there is support available to help you navigate the difficult times ahead.
1. Hiding Assets
Colorado is an equitable distribution state, meaning that property distribution is expected to be done in a manner that is fair to both parties in a divorce. However, it's not uncommon for one spouse to try to hide assets during proceedings. This can happen through various tactics including:
- Transferring money and/or assets to a family member
- Hiding valuable items
- Making large purchases in another person’s name
- Creating a false debt/expenses
- Inaccurately reporting income
If you suspect your spouse may be trying to hide assets, it's important to seek legal advice and take the necessary steps to safeguard your assets and ensure that your rights are protected in court.
2. Purposefully Delaying Divorce
Another tactic that may be used is intentionally delaying the divorce. Delay tactics may be an attempt to buy more time to gain an advantage or to wear you down to accept a less favorable outcome. Another motive could be because your spouse does not want to divorce. Regardless of the reasoning, a divorce delay can be both stressful and frustrating.
Common stalling tactics can include:
- Refusing to sign paperwork
- Frequently changing divorce lawyers
- Refusing to communicate with you through text, email, etc.
- Making unreasonable demands
It’s important to seek the guidance of a divorce lawyer if you’re experiencing these challenges. Our experienced divorce lawyers can help you with your case to move along your divorce as efficiently as possible.
3. Pushing for a Quick Settlement
On the opposite end, another sneaky divorce tactic to be wary of is the rush to get everything settled. Individuals who use this tactic might have something to hide, such as undisclosed income or assets, or they may have a desire to secure the most favorable agreement for themselves. They may do so by creating a false time constraint or rushing the divorce to allow for details to slip between the cracks.
To avoid this, it's essential to have a divorce attorney review the necessary paperwork before signing. An attorney can help you navigate the complexities of divorce proceedings and be sure that you are treated fairly throughout the process.
4. Alienating Your Children from You
Another particularly harmful sneaky divorce tactic involves manipulating the relationship between children and their parents. This strategy can take different forms, such as:
- Turning the kids against you and/or
- Slowly decreasing the amount of time you can spend with your children
These actions can be motivated by different factors, including the desire to demonstrate that one parent invests more time and attention in their children than the other. Alternatively, they may aim to create a perceived closer bond between the children and a particular parent, leading to a preference for custody arrangements that favor them.
5. Making False Allegations
When it comes to custody battles, some spouses resort to making false allegations against the other parent. This is often done because the individual fears that they will not win the ruling they desire or they want to gain full custody by smearing the other parent's character.
Examples of false allegations can include:
- Child abuse
- Domestic violence
- Criminal behavior
- Alcohol abuse
- Drug addiction
This tactic not only can harm you, but your children as well. As such, it is imperative to be aware of this tactic.
Work With a Divorce Attorney to Combat Sneaky Divorce Tactics
Getting a divorce is a stressful and emotionally charged time. Unfortunately, some spouses may try to take advantage of the situation and use sneaky tactics to get their way. That's why it's important to work with a seasoned divorce attorney who can protect your rights and investigate the details of your marriage.
At the Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, we understand the challenges our clients face during this difficult time. Our goal is to help you experience greater peace of mind by providing skilled legal guidance and support. We are committed to helping you pursue a successful outcome and protecting your interests throughout the divorce process.
Contact us at (303) 647-4245 or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation.