What Should You Do If Your Spouse Stops Paying Household Bills Before Divorce?
Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for Ohio divorce proceedings to quickly become quite messy, depending on the specific circumstances. One example of this is if your spouse stops paying bills before the divorce, putting you in a difficult financial situation.
Are you currently dealing with financial issues during an Ohio divorce? If so, check out this article, where we will discuss what your legal options are if your spouse stops paying bills before a divorce in Ohio.
Why Your Spouse May Stop Paying Household Bills During a Divorce
Every divorce case is unique, as different personalities are involved. And although it isn’t incredibly common for one spouse to stop paying all household bills during divorce proceedings, it can happen.
Depending on the circumstances, your spouse may do this as a way of trying to gain financial leverage by saving their money and leaving you to deal with the unpaid bills. Or, they may do this out of spite simply to cause you more stress and anxiety.
No matter the reason, this can quickly lead to a serious financial situation if you don’t address it as soon as possible.
This is just one of many reasons why you should consider getting the help of a divorce attorney in Montgomery County who can act as a mediator. After all, it’s possible that there has simply been a miscommunication or your spouse just forgot about the bills.
Immediate Steps to Take
If your spouse has suddenly stopped paying all household bills during the divorce proceedings, there are certain things you need to do to protect your finances:
- Document everything: The minute you notice household bills going unpaid, you need to start documenting these missed payments so that you aren’t making empty claims. Try to keep all past bills, notices of late payment, and bank statements.
- Protect your credit: If at all possible, prioritize paying the minimums on any joint accounts to avoid having your credit score negatively impacted by missed payments.
- Pay essential bills: Although unfair, you should also try to pay any essential bills that you can until the issue is resolved. Doing this can keep the situation under better control, preserving your personal finances until you can get the court involved.
It’s also crucial that you avoid any retaliatory actions once you notice that your spouse isn’t paying household bills. As tempting as it is to want to get back at them in some way, this will usually only reflect poorly on you and make the situation worse.
Legal Options Available
After initiating the steps outlined above, you can also take separate legal steps to better protect your finances and hold your spouse accountable. In Ohio, you can request a temporary financial order, which could mandate that your spouse pay the household bills they are responsible for. And if they still failed to do this, the court could hold them in contempt for financial misconduct.
Additionally, you can request temporary spousal support, which would require your spouse to pay you a certain amount of support, which you can then use to pay household bills. Keep in mind that a judge must sign off on both orders, so you need to provide plenty of proof showcasing how your spouse has stopped paying bills.
Depending on the circumstances and your marital finances and debts, the court may allow an asset adjustment. This is when the court will adjust the final division of property so that the split is fair and accounts for the financial misconduct. So, you may be awarded more financial assets to make up for the bills you had to pay out-of-pocket, or your spouse may get more of the marital debt.
How to Protect Your Financial Future During an Ohio Divorce
When divorce proceedings become messy, you need to proceed with caution and keep an eye on the financial side of things. Especially in highly contested divorce cases, it isn’t uncommon for spouses to try to get back at one another by using financial means.
So, here are some tips to help you protect your financial future while going through an Ohio divorce:
- Keep an eye on all regular household bills to ensure your spouse is paying them on time.
- Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page regarding whose responsibility it is to pay household bills.
- Close appropriate joint accounts to protect your credit score.
- Keep an eye on your credit report for any unusual activity or credit score dips.
- Keep detailed records of your shared finances and debts.
It’s best to work with an Ohio divorce attorney to better preserve and protect your finances during and after a divorce. An attorney can help you take the necessary steps to keep your finances secure without doing anything that could look bad to the divorce court.
FAQ Section
Can my spouse legally stop paying household bills?
It depends on the circumstances. In many cases, you may be able to get a court order, or the court may view this behavior as financial misconduct.
Will missed payments affect my credit?
Possibly. But this is usually only the case if the account is in both of your names, making you equally responsible for maintaining payments.
Can the court order my spouse to resume payments?
Yes. You can ask the court for a temporary financial order, which would require your spouse to maintain certain financial obligations, such as paying household bills.
Should I move out if bills aren’t being paid?
Depending on the circumstances, moving out may or may not be a good option. It’s best to first consult with a divorce lawyer in Clark County, as they will have more experience with these types of cases.
Hire a Divorce Attorney in Ohio
As overwhelming as it can feel if your spouse stops paying important bills during a divorce, Ohio does have certain legal protections that you can take advantage of. Richard P. Arthur, Attorney at Law, has extensive experience handling divorce cases in Ohio and can help you get the necessary temporary financial orders to protect your personal finances during this process. To proceed with your case, contact us today at 937-254-3738 for a free consultation.