How to Protect Yourself If Your Spouse Is Running Up Debt

How to Protect Yourself If Your Spouse Is Running Up Debt

Watching your spouse spend recklessly while your marriage falls apart is stressful. You’re already grieving the relationship, and now you’re also wondering if you’ll be left holding the bill for charges you never agreed to. If you suspect your spouse is running up debt before or during your separation, the following steps can help protect you:

• Separate or freeze joint accounts to stop new charges from accumulating.
• Track unauthorized spending by reviewing statements and noting unusual activity.
• Document financial misconduct so you have evidence if the issue goes before a judge.
• Request temporary financial orders to formally restrict your spouse’s spending while the case is pending.

Each of these steps plays a role in limiting your financial exposure. Our team at Iafrate & Salassa, P.C. is ready to guide you through next steps that will help protect your finances.

How Do I Separate or Freeze Joint Accounts?

If you notice or are concerned that your spouse will recklessly spend your hard-earned money before your divorce, you should find a way to separate or freeze your joint accounts. The sooner you separate your finances, the less damage a spiteful or careless spouse can do. In Michigan, you can typically:

• Close joint credit cards or request that the issuer freeze new charges.
• Open individual bank accounts and redirect your paycheck or income there.
• Notify your bank or credit union of a pending separation so they can flag unusual joint account activity.

Keep in mind that closing accounts outright can sometimes complicate disputes over marital assets, so it’s worth talking to a family law attorney before making major changes. A well-timed phone call can save you from an accusation of financial misconduct of your own.

What Counts as Unauthorized Spending I Should Track?

It’s important to note that not every purchase your spouse makes is intended to ruin your credit. The goal is to identify spending that looks deliberate, excessive, or out of character. Watch for:

• Large cash withdrawals with no clear explanation.
• New credit cards or loans opened without your knowledge.
• Luxury purchases, vacations, or gifts that don’t fit your usual budget.
• Payments to unfamiliar people or businesses.

Pull statements from every joint account monthly and compare them side by side. A pattern over several weeks tells a clearer story than a single suspicious charge.

How Do I Document Financial Misconduct for My Divorce Case?

Suspicion alone won’t hold up in court. If you want a judge to take your concerns seriously, you’ll need records and evidence that show your finances are being misused. You can start by building a file that includes:

• Bank and credit card statements highlighting questionable transactions.
• Screenshots of online purchases or account activity.
• Copies of loan applications or new credit lines opened during your separation.
• A simple log noting dates, amounts, and your observations.

Organized documentation also helps your attorney build a case to argue for reimbursement or an unequal division of assets if the spending was wasteful or deceptive.

Can I Request Temporary Financial Orders During My Divorce?

Michigan courts can issue temporary orders while your divorce is pending, and these can directly address runaway spending. Depending on your situation, a judge may:

• Restrict either spouse from transferring or spending marital assets above a certain amount.
• Freeze specific accounts until the divorce is finalized.
• Require both spouses to disclose major purchases or financial changes.

These orders won’t return money that’s already gone, but they can stop the damage and give you some peace of mind while your case moves through the courts.

Protect Your Financial Future With Iafrate & Salassa, P.C.

Divorce is hard enough without wondering what finances your spouse might spend behind your back. You don’t have to figure this out alone or guess at what the courts will allow. The family law attorneys at Iafrate & Salassa, P.C. have nearly 50 years of combined experience helping Metro Detroit clients protect what’s theirs. Contact our office today to discuss your options and put a plan in place for your case.