Jeff Landers, author of the new book, Divorce: Think Financially, Not Emotionally – What Women Need To Know About Securing Their Financial Future Before, During, And After Divorce, stopped by Forbes this week with a piece on how women can cope with their husbands’ financial threats while the divorce papers are pending.
In the article, Landers shares a number of helpful tips, but one in particular stood out for us:
“Distinguish idle threats from relevant risks,” Landers writes. “Yes, the vast majority of angry rants are exactly that – just rants. But you also need to realize that sometimes, a husband actually will ‘spend every dime.’ Others will hide assets and/or cheat, lie, bribe or do whatever else they can to cut off their wives financially. So, stay vigilant. Do whatever it takes to think through things clearly. Combine the information you’ve gathered with the expertise of your divorce team to create a solid plan for your future.”
There’s a lot of sense in what Landers states, but we would add that with changing gender roles, wherein women are deciding to file for divorce more, and they’re more often taking on the role of breadwinner, the advice is worth keeping in mind regardless of gender.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Spouse Is A ‘Relevant Risk’
As early in the process as possible, take some time to learn as much as you can about the financial standing of your household. Landers recommends taking notes or keeping a journal about concerns that you may have — particularly while they’re still fresh on your mind. If your case requires attorney support, then make sure you share these concerns as soon as possible so they can help you devise an adequate strategy in response.
Whatever You Do, Don’t Resort To The Same Tactics.
Hiding assets before and during the divorce forms process is a form of fraud and can resort in harsher backlash than clean-hands negotiation. Keep your eyes and ears open and learn as much about the law as you can. By embracing information about the law and keeping your mind and your options open, you can get the judgment you deserve.