Clare Louise Financial abuse in marriages and unmarried couples is all too common now, and everyone has heard at least one story about it. According to the definition, financial abuse is when one partner exerts control over the other partner’s finances, diminishes the latter’s ability to be financially self-sufficient, and forces them to depend on the perpetrator.
If you are in a marriage where you are being financially abused and want a divorce, consider consulting a Boston divorce lawyer near me today. If you have doubts about the situation, an attorney can help determine whether financial abuse is actually taking place or if you are mistaken. Meanwhile, here are some surefire signs to look out for.
Signs of financial abuse in marriages
- Denial of access.
Perhaps the first sign that your partner or spouse might be abusing you financially is when they deny access to financial records or money you have a right to access. It is a major red flag if your partner seems upset or irritated whenever you try to access your marital bank accounts. Marital bank accounts are marital assets, and being unable to access these funds is not a good sign.
- Ruining your credit history.
Your credit history can be ruined in several ways: not paying on time or running up the limits. If your spouse is using your or the marital credit card and not keeping up with the payments even though they said they would, it is financial abuse. They may claim to make payments in your name and not follow through.
- Intense monitoring of spending.
If your partner has been checking your bank’s transaction history and reviewing receipts with judgment and scrutiny, they are intensely monitoring your spending habits. It shows that they do not trust you to spend your money wisely. These actions also indicate that they do not respect your privacy and there is no sense of mutual respect in the relationship. During times of financial stress, your spouse may even put the blame on you.
- Anger with spending that benefits you.
Suppose you have bought a new dress or a piece of jewelry that you have been dreaming of buying for a long time. You come home and show your spouse what you have shopped for, and they get angry at you for spending the money on “useless” items. It is a red flag if your partner goes nuclear every time you buy something that benefits you or makes you happy. There is nothing wrong with self-care, and you must not feel guilty.
