Have You Been a Victim of Financial Abuse?

 Posted on December 03, 2019 in Domestic Violence

When you think of the words “abuse” or “domestic violence,” you may picture a man or woman with bruises and scars. However, abuse can involve much more than physical violence. One of the most insidious forms of abuse is financial abuse. Sadly, many marriages throughout the United States involve some version of economic abuse. If you have been a victim of financial abuse, you should know that there is hope. Divorcing a spouse who uses money to control and manipulate you can be difficult, but it is possible.

Warning Signs of Economic Abuse

Economic abuse typically involves restricting a victim’s access to financial resources. Abusers may control their victims’ access to money and refuse to let them have any financial independence as a means of gaining power over them. Research shows that most victims of financial abuse are women, but men can also be victims of financial abuse.

Some common warning signs that could indicate that you are in a financially-abusive relationship include:

• Your spouse hides money or property from you.
• Your spouse prohibits you from working or demands that you quit your job.
• Your spouse sells your property without your consent.
• You receive a set amount of money or “allowance” which your spouse carefully monitors.
• Your spouse refuses to share banking information or passwords.
• Your spouse files fraudulent tax returns or insurance claims with your name on them.
• Your spouse forces you to obtain credit cards or loans.
• Your spouse becomes angry or violent when financial topics are mentioned.

Illinois Emergency Order of Protection

Research shows that up to 99 percent of all domestic abuse survivors have experienced financial abuse in addition to the physical and emotional abuse they have suffered. If you want to leave your spouse because he or she is abusive, you may benefit from an emergency order of protection (EOP). This protection order, also called a restraining order, can limit your spouse’s access to you, your children, your home, and more. If your spouse violates the terms of the order, you can call the police and have him or her arrested.

Divorcing an abusive spouse can be very complicated, especially if the abuser is dishonest about finances. If you are in an abusive marriage and you want a divorce, contact a skilled family law attorney who has experience handling complex divorce cases involving financial fraud and abuse.

Contact a Naperville Divorce Lawyer

For help acquiring an order of protection, filing for divorce, and more, contact a compassionate and accomplished DuPage County family law attorney from Pesce Law Group, P.C. Call our office today at 630-352-2240 to schedule a free, completely confidential initial consultation.

Sources:

https://ncadv.org/blog/posts/quick-guide-economic-and-financial-abuse

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mayakachroolevine/2017/09/25/financial-abuse-how-to-identify-it-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/