What can be used against you in a divorce in Florida courts? Our divorce lawyers in Tampa, FL, often see brutal divorce tactics, especially for clients going through a contentious divorce. Tactics such as not reporting income or holdings, jeopardizing the ex’s job, dragging feet when signing paperwork, or fighting dirty in a divorce, in general, can all be used against you in certain cases.
Here, our divorce attorneys cover what can be used against you in a divorce, the 7 sneaky divorce tactics that are tempting but have no place in family courts, and how to combat sneaky divorce tactics.
Are you facing a contentious divorce? Our Tampa divorce lawyers can advise on what not to do during a Florida divorce and how to navigate shady practices that aim to drag you down. Call 813-223-7739.
7 Sneaky Divorce Tactics Florida Courts Do Not Allow
They say there’s a thin line between love and hate, and nothing shows this more than a messy divorce case. The bottom line in sneaky divorce cases is that it doesn’t pan out well for those who try to play the system. So often, a marriage ending brings out unresolved emotions and egotistical behavior, leading partners to act in ways that aren’t productive, retaliate, and play dirty. Divorce can affect your finances, family dynamic, and mental health in some cases.
However, even in a messy divorce, there are at least seven sneaky divorce tactics like hiding, spending, or lying about income and assets, resisting communication or negotiations, and leaving town with the children are not allowed.
Our experienced Tampa divorce attorneys cover these seven sneaky divorce tactics below.
Intentionally Delaying Divorce Proceedings
Unfortunately, attempts to stall or delay divorce tactics draw out Florida divorce processes unnecessarily and are commonly seen in family law. Stalling tactics include dragging out negotiations, such as taking longer than necessary when signing paperwork, declining every offer, avoiding court dates, or taking every single aspect back to court.
Florida courts do not tolerate intentionally delaying divorce resolutions. If you’re dealing with delay tactics, or if you believe your ex will try to stall and delay divorce resolutions, our Tampa divorce planning attorney can help.
Rushing Court Proceedings in Divorce Cases
Another sneaky divorce tactic involves rushing court proceedings to catch the other party unprepared. For example, one party might push for immediate court dates or submit an overwhelming amount of documents with short notice, leaving the other party with insufficient time to respond adequately. Typically the ex’s hope is either to have something left out of divorce proceedings, like hidden income and assets, or securing a favorable settlement by fabricating a false time constraint.
Hiding, Spending, or Lying About Income or Assets
For no-fault divorce states like Florida, income and assets gained throughout the marriage are normally split fairly, following the rules of equitable distribution. Florida family law prohibits such actions to ensure a fair division of marital assets, child support, and alimony allocation. Marital assets are typically divided equitably, reflecting each spouse’s contributions and needs.
While keeping assets and money hidden is tempting but can backfire, especially for those with substantial community assets.
These common brutal divorce tactics can include:
- Lying about income or holdings
- Transferring money or assets to a family member or new significant other
- Hiding valuables in undisclosed locations, like safety deposit boxes or with friends
- Spending marital assets using another name
- Lying or claiming false expenses or debts
Our Tampa high-asset divorce attorneys can help you understand the nuances of family law, combat sneaky divorce tactics, and help ensure the other party doesn’t take advantage of you.
Hidden Income or Assets
Hiding marital assets or income, such as transferring money or assets or stashing valuable possessions in undisclosed locations like safety deposit boxes, is not allowed in Florida courts. These brutal tactics could lead to unfairly influenced divorce finances.
Common examples of hidden income or assets include one spouse underreporting bonuses or hiding valuable assets from the other.
Spending or Selling Assets
Cleaning out the marital house or bank accounts, such as spending or selling marital property, is a another sneaky divorce tactic, as marital assets gained throughout the marriage are normally split.
Common examples of removing marital property before divorce include lavish spending or undervalued sales. Tactics intended to keep assets and money hidden and tactics used to affect your finances, family dynamic, and mental well-being during the divorce process are frowned upon or, in some cases, prohibited under Florida family law.
Resisting Communication or Negotiations
Some stalling tactics include dragging feet on negotiations or resisting communication. This egotistical behavior, leading partners to stall proceedings and therefore creating more costs for their ex is unfortunately common. Florida courts do not tolerate such shady practices that aim to disrupt the fair division of marital assets and cause a messy divorce process.
Our family law attorneys in Tampa can implement strategies to document this failure and move the process along in your favor.
Leaving Town with the Children or Keeping Children From the Other Parent
Moving out of state with a child without a custody agreement absolutely crosses the bottom line in sneaky divorces and disrupts child custody arrangements. Florida courts do not allow such actions, recognizing the thin line between love and tactics that are tempting but dirty in a divorce.
Our Tampa custody lawyers understand how devastating this specific tactic is for parents going through the divorce process. We compassionately advocate equally for mother’s and father’s rights in Florida. In some child custody cases, we can turn the tables, shining a light on this despicable behavior as an attempt to harm the other parent.
Fighting for More Visitation to Lower Child Support Payments
Fighting for more visitation to lower child support payments is another dirty divorce tactic that is usually driven by emotions and egotistical behavior. Tactics used to unfairly influence Florida child support payments may be tempting but can backfire. While courts do understand the benefits of co-parenting, Florida judges see right through the facade of one spouse suddenly showing more interest in their children to avoid child support payments.
Making False Accusations
In Florida child custody hearings, when one spouse assumes the child custody ruling will not be in their favor, they resort to making false accusations of criminal activity, alcohol or drug addiction, or abuse with the goal of smearing the other spouse’s character, totally neglecting the child’s overall well-being. Our Tampa time-sharing lawyers see this often in domestic abuse situations.
If you’re divorcing a narcissist or domestic abuser, make sure you have an experienced Tampa domestic violence divorce lawyer by your side.
Brutal Divorce Tactics That Florida Family Law Judges Do Not Like
Florida family law judges disapprove of sneaky tactics, like trying to stall and delay divorce case resolutions or inaccurately reporting income or holdings. They do not tolerate brutal tactics such as harassing the other spouse’s lawyer, making inappropriate social media posts, or attempting to retaliate and play dirty.
Serving divorce papers to the other spouse simply to embarrass them: Serving divorce papers in a manner intended to embarrass the other spouse is a brutal divorce tactic that judges strongly disfavor.
Canceling marital credit cards: This is typically used to undermine stay-at-home mom divorce rights in Florida, and judges strongly discourage this behavior, as this in no way benefits your child.
Harassing the other spouse’s lawyer: These brutal tactics could complicate how marital issues are normally resolved, and Florida judges do not tolerate this behavior.
Jeopardizing the other spouse’s job: Judges disapprove of any attempt to jeopardize the ex’s job during a divorce case, as this unfairly undermines one spouse’s financial stability.
Inappropriate social media posts: Inappropriate social media posts during divorce proceedings can exacerbate conflicts and are viewed as attempts to publicly discredit or harm the other spouse.
Tampa Dirty Divorce Tactics FAQs
How Can a Tampa Collaborative Divorce Attorney Help?
A Tampa collaborative divorce lawyer can facilitate a smoother and more amicable divorce process by providing an amicable divorce checklist and working with a team that includes a certified divorce financial analyst and a divorce coach. This team approach helps to address both the financial and emotional aspects of the divorce case, ensuring a comprehensive and fair settlement.
Here, we provide helpful information on typical divorce settlements in Florida.
Can a Florida Judge Order Marriage Counseling in Florida?
Yes, a Florida judge can order marriage counseling or even divorce counseling if deemed beneficial. This intervention aims to provide the couple with a chance to resolve issues.
What Shouldn’t You Do During a Divorce in Tampa, Florida?
You shouldn’t make any major financial changes, falsely accuse your ex, or use your child in a way that benefits your personal outcome. Those who apply the “golden rule” tend to come out on top in their divorce case.
How Can I Avoid Divorce Loans in a Messy Divorce?
To avoid divorce loans in a messy divorce, carefully manage your expenses, create a realistic budget, and seek the guidance of a collaborative divorce lawyer and certified divorce financial analyst to ensure financial stability throughout the process.
Can Therapy Be Used Against You in Divorce in Florida?
Yes, therapy records can potentially be used against you in a divorce, especially if they relate to issues of mental health, parenting ability, or fitness as a parent. However, these records are typically protected by confidentiality, and they can only be used if both parties agree or the court orders their release.
Our Tampa Divorce Attorneys Can Combat Sneaky Divorce Tactics
Our Tampa family law attorneys have the patience and experience required to combat tactics used to undermine Florida’s no-fault divorce system. If your ex’s hope is either to buy more time or rush you into an agreement you’re uncomfortable with, our attorneys are adept at dealing with delay tactics, understanding that stall and delay divorce tactics draw out cases unnecessarily. We also understand how underhanded tactics are used, especially in “rushed divorces,” leading partners to act out of fear or frustration.
Let us stand by your side in this challenging time. Call 813-223-7739 or complete the online intake form to schedule a consultation.
