Filing For Divorce In Fort Lauderdale When Your Spouse Controls the Finances

It is not uncommon for one spouse to manage the finances in a marriage. However, it can create serious problems when it rises to the level of financial control, manipulation, and abuse. If you are filing for a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, the situation can leave you feeling powerless and overwhelmed.

Being unsure about what marital assets exist, how much debt is shared, or what you may be legally entitled to impacts divorce negotiations and jeopardizes your rights in a settlement. If financial abuse or manipulation is an issue in your case, our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer explains what you need to know and how to protect your rights.

What Financial Control Looks Like in a Fort Lauderdale Divorce

Under the Florida Statutes, marital property in a Broward County divorce is divided through a process called equitable distribution. To work fairly, full disclosure of all marital assets and debts is required.

When one spouse maintains exclusive control over finances during a marriage, the other may have no idea what’s at stake. This often happens in cases involving financial abuse or coercion. Signs of financial control in a marriage often include:

• Blocking access to joint bank or credit accounts;
• Concealing income, bonuses, or investment accounts;
• Refusing to share financial documents or passwords;
• Preventing you from working or earning your own income;
• Using money to manipulate or intimidate you.

Under Florida divorce laws, each spouse must provide a sworn financial affidavit during the divorce process. If your spouse refuses to comply or tries to hide assets, our Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer can request court intervention. In cases involving economic abuse, the court may also grant temporary relief, such as attorney’s fees or temporary support, to ensure fairness.

How to Protect Yourself in a Fort Lauderdale Divorce Involving Financial Control

The National Network to End Domestic Violence advises that financial control is a subtle yet common type of abuse. If you suspect hidden assets or financial dishonesty during your Fort Lauderdale divorce, it’s essential to get legal help right away. Actions our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer can take on your behalf include:

• Filing discovery to obtain tax returns, bank records, and investment accounts;
• Requesting a court order for document production or sanctions for non-compliance;
• Filing motions for temporary spousal support and legal fees during the case;
• Hiring a forensic accountant to trace hidden assets or analyze business interests.

Using every available legal resource, we help ensure a fair division of marital assets and prevent your spouse from gaining an unfair advantage during Broward County divorce proceedings.

To Protect Your Financial Future, Consult Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer Today

At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, we represent clients across Broward County in complex divorce cases involving financial control, economic abuse, and hidden assets. If you are filing for a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, get the legal help you need to protect your financial future. Contact our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html

flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Office-of-Family-Courts/Family-Court-in-Florida/Family-Law-Forms/Additional-Supporting-Documents-12.902-Forms-B-J/Family-Law-Financial-Affidavit

nnedv.org/content/about-financial-abuse/