Marital Financial Abuse | Allan Brandon Tise, PLLC, Attorney at Law
May 21, 2021
In a healthy relationship, money is a resource that couples allocate wisely. However, in an abusive relationship, money becomes a weapon that forces one partner to depend on the other. Financial abuse affects victims in subtle ways, denying them monetary gain and access to money, and can often lead to divorce.
As with any other type of abuse, financial abuse is unhealthy and takes a heavy toll on the victim's quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about what financial abuse is and how it can be escaped.
Marital Financial Abuse
Financial abuse in a marriage occurs when one spouse controls the other's ability to earn, maintain, or take charge of their financial earnings. The abuser will limit a victim's access to their money, prevent the victim from getting a job to make money, and control a victim's ability to spend their money.
If the victim objects, the abuser may use physical, verbal, and mental means to convince the victim that the abuser is right. The signs of financial abuse may not be apparent at first; however, over time the abuse will increase and become more noticeable.
Financial Abuse through Money
Financial abusers may begin the abuse by taking charge of his/her victims' money and financial documents. Financial abusers might do this by:
Financial Abuse through Jobs
Abusers may also interfere with how their spouses receive income. They could interfere with his/her job, boss, or co-workers. Spousal financial abusers may interfere in these areas by:
Financial Abuse through Responsibilities
Financial abusers keep their partners from using money on necessary needs and responsibilities such as taxes and house bills. A financial abuser will interfere with their spouse's ability to make payments by:
Financial Abuse Effects
All abusers know that control is power and a financially abusive partner will do anything to keep their partner from being in control of their finances. Financial abuse can lead to victims depending on their abuser because victims believe they cannot handle their finances. The abuser will use these negative feelings to his/her advantage and abuse the victim through other means such as physical, mental, or sexual abuse. The victim may avoid seeking help from friends and family due to shame, guilt, or fear of the abuser. The victim will become dependent on the abuser and the abuser will continue to take advantage of them.
Financial Abuse Escape If you believe that you are a victim of financial abuse, the first step to stopping the abuse is recognizing the signs and acknowledging that it is there. Seek help through a family member, close friend, social worker, or clergy member. Seek out legal professionals who can help guide you on what legal options are available, including divorce.
Allan Brandon Tise PLLC, Attorney at Law, can help victims seeking a divorce from their abusive partners. If you believe divorce is your best recourse, let us help you. Contact us to receive a consultation.
As with any other type of abuse, financial abuse is unhealthy and takes a heavy toll on the victim's quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about what financial abuse is and how it can be escaped.
Marital Financial Abuse
Financial abuse in a marriage occurs when one spouse controls the other's ability to earn, maintain, or take charge of their financial earnings. The abuser will limit a victim's access to their money, prevent the victim from getting a job to make money, and control a victim's ability to spend their money.
If the victim objects, the abuser may use physical, verbal, and mental means to convince the victim that the abuser is right. The signs of financial abuse may not be apparent at first; however, over time the abuse will increase and become more noticeable.
Financial Abuse through Money
Financial abusers may begin the abuse by taking charge of his/her victims' money and financial documents. Financial abusers might do this by:
- Having all bank accounts listed under his/her name
- Creating an unfair “allowance” for the victim
- Having his/her spouse rely on them for money
- Spending his/her partner’s cash freely without permission
- Making the victim feel guilty for using his/her own money
- Forcing their partners to sign monetary documents without consent or sometimes even without being allowed to read them
- Refusing to assist with financial matters
Financial Abuse through Jobs
Abusers may also interfere with how their spouses receive income. They could interfere with his/her job, boss, or co-workers. Spousal financial abusers may interfere in these areas by:
- Pressuring victims to quit his/her job
- Preventing spouses from going to work
- Forcing partners to leave work early
- Insulting or mocking victims' current careers or future career choices
- Intimidating victims at work through calls or text messages
- Hindering victims from doing any work-related tasks
Financial Abuse through Responsibilities
Financial abusers keep their partners from using money on necessary needs and responsibilities such as taxes and house bills. A financial abuser will interfere with their spouse's ability to make payments by:
- Using his/her credit and debit cards constantly
- Racking up debt under his/her spouse's name
- Using money meant for bills and taxes on other less important expenses or voluntary purchases
- Paying bills late
- Blaming victims for late payments and lack of money
- Hoarding funds in a secret bank account
- Constantly asking the victim for money but never reciprocating or repaying
Financial Abuse Effects
All abusers know that control is power and a financially abusive partner will do anything to keep their partner from being in control of their finances. Financial abuse can lead to victims depending on their abuser because victims believe they cannot handle their finances. The abuser will use these negative feelings to his/her advantage and abuse the victim through other means such as physical, mental, or sexual abuse. The victim may avoid seeking help from friends and family due to shame, guilt, or fear of the abuser. The victim will become dependent on the abuser and the abuser will continue to take advantage of them.
Financial Abuse Escape If you believe that you are a victim of financial abuse, the first step to stopping the abuse is recognizing the signs and acknowledging that it is there. Seek help through a family member, close friend, social worker, or clergy member. Seek out legal professionals who can help guide you on what legal options are available, including divorce.
Allan Brandon Tise PLLC, Attorney at Law, can help victims seeking a divorce from their abusive partners. If you believe divorce is your best recourse, let us help you. Contact us to receive a consultation.
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