What to Do if You Are a Victim of Financial Abuse in a Marriage?
When people think of domestic violence, physical abuse is the first thing that comes to mind. However, there are other forms of abuse in a marriage, including emotional and financial abuse, which will be the focus of our discussion today.
Many people overlook the seriousness of financial abuse, while others do not realize that they are subject to this form of abuse in a marriage. Financial abuse, which involves a variety of manipulative tactics that can be either overt or subtle, is done by one partner to financially control the other partner’s access to money and economic resources.
Examples of Financial Abuse in a Marriage
Many partners fail to recognize signs of financial abuse in a marriage and can confuse it with normal behavior. Common examples of financial abuse include:
- Controlling all financial resources and transactions
- Hiding assets
- Refusing to work to pay bills
- Withholding access to bank accounts and money
- Prohibiting the partner from working and earning income
- Sabotaging the partner’s employment opportunities
- Forcing the partner to commit financial crimes
- Prohibiting the partner from making any financial decisions
What to Do if You Are Subject to Financial Abuse in a Marriage?
Many victims of financial abuse are not aware of the dangers of this form of abuse, while others think that there is nothing wrong with allowing their partner to control all the money during the marriage.
Often, victims are coerced into staying in a toxic marriage. In most cases, the severity of financial abuse can intensify once the abusive partner finds out that the victim wants to get a divorce.
That is why you should not hesitate to contact a skilled domestic violence attorney in Orlando if you have been a victim of financial abuse and are considering a divorce. A knowledgeable attorney will ensure that you and your children are protected from financial and other forms of abuse once you file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Florida.
If you are not sure if you are a victim of financial abuse, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does your partner treat you as an equal, especially if you earn less than your spouse?
- Does your partner control all the money and economic resources?
- Has your partner physically or emotionally coerced you into doing things you would not normally do?
- Do you ever make any decisions regarding finances?
- Does your spouse leave you out of the decision-making process?
- Does your spouse ignore your opinion when discussing anything about employment, finances, debt, or other money-related topics?
If you answered yes to one or more of the above-mentioned questions, you are most likely married to an abuser. Financial abuse can take a toll on the partnership with your spouse, social life, employment opportunities, and the quality of your life. If you are a victim of financial abuse, it is time to get out.
Leaving an abuser is never easy, but you should not go through this alone. Here at Donna Hung Law Group, our experienced Orlando divorce attorneys can help you navigate the process and protect your rights and personal safety. Schedule a consultation by calling at 407-999-0099.
https://www.donnahunglaw.com/what-is-marital-misconduct-in-a-florida-divorce/
