You feel like your spouse has one foot out the door already, but they haven’t asked for a divorce. Nor have they been receptive to the idea of marital counseling. You suspect that they’re hiding money so that they can “feather their nest” for an eventual split.
Are you just being paranoid? Or are your fears based in reality? You won’t know until you start looking. Here are some of the most common signs that your spouse is hiding money:
1. You’re seeing less mail at the house.
The bank statements are no longer coming in the mail. Nor are the credit card bills. Your spouse says they’ve gone “paperless,” and that may be true — or they may simply have gotten a post office box somewhere to collect mail they don’t want you to see.
2. Your spouse’s income suddenly stagnates or declines.
Business seems to be booming but your spouse hasn’t gotten a bonus or a raise in over a year — or have they? It’s entirely possible that your spouse is quietly stowing that money away in a bank account that you don’t know about.
3. Your spouse wants to file their taxes separately for no good reason.
One of the most common ways that a spouse will hide their income is by overpaying on their taxes. That way, there’s nothing suspicious to see even if you look at their pay stubs. Eventually, they can claim the money back in a tax return — but that only works if you aren’t filing jointly.
4. Your grocery bill has suddenly skyrocketed.
It seems like your expenses have gone through the roof — especially at the grocery store. If your spouse does the shopping, you need to look at those receipts to see if they’re getting cash back every trip or buying lots of gift cards. Both are ways to stockpile cash before a breakup.
Protect your interests in a divorce
If you’re headed toward a divorce, remember: You don’t have to go through it alone. An experienced family law attorney here in Danville can make the process easier. Understanding your right to a fair share of the marital property is essential to protecting your future.