How to combat a lying spouse during a Washington divorce

How to combat a lying spouse during a Washington divorce

Perhaps you learned early on in your marriage that your spouse is a deceitful person. Many spouses quickly become disheartened in marriage when they discover that the person they married is quite different from the person they dated. Then again, maybe your spouse always seemed like an honest person, until you filed a divorce petition in a Washington court and things quickly began to change.

You’re entitled to a fair settlement in divorce. If your spouse is lying to the court, he or she is committing perjury, which is punishable by law. In fact, the judge overseeing your case might decide to hold your spouse in contempt of court if he or she is lying. For example, hiding assets is a form of perjury. Knowing where to turn for support if a problem like this arises puts you in a better position to resolve one.

You must be able to substantiate your claim in a divorce

It’s not enough to tell a judge that your spouse is lying during divorce proceedings. You must be able to prove it. Therefore, gathering evidence is a key factor. If hidden assets are the issue, you can gather evidence by looking for discrepancies in your bank account, as well as reviewing tax returns and credit card statements.

Discuss the issue with your spouse

If you think your spouse is lying during divorce proceedings , you can ask him or her about it. Try not to come across as accusatory. Simply ask questions in a concise, polite way. Especially if you have children together, your inquiry may be enough to inspire your spouse to tell the truth.

Tap into local resources for support to investigate

Consider hiring a private investigator to combat a lying spouse during divorce proceedings. Deceit in a divorce might include an extramarital affair, financial schemes or other sensitive issues. You’re entitled to fair treatment, which cannot occur if both parties are not being fully honest. Therefore, it may be helpful to ask a private investigator to look into certain matters.

Use a subpoena to confirm dishonesty in a divorce

If you’re working with a family law attorney in your divorce, he or she can issue a subpoena for records from banks, government officials or other entities. Washington divorce laws demand full disclosure of assets, liabilities and other information. If your spouse is lying or refusing to cooperate, your attorney can issue a subpoena. Lying complicates divorce and can cause a significant delay toward a settlement. The sooner you resolve the issue, the better.