...

Can I Spend Money During a Texas Divorce?

During divorce proceedings, individuals face significant changes in various aspects of their lives, including finances and family dynamics. One major concern is spending money during divorce in Texas, as it affects not only immediate expenses but also long-term financial stability. From managing retirement savings and addressing student loan debt to considering the impact on a small business, the financial landscape during divorce can be complex and overwhelming.

Many individuals wonder when these financial changes begin, as they recognize the far-reaching consequences of divorce that extend beyond the dissolution of the marriage. Understanding how to manage spending during this time is crucial to safeguarding your financial future.

Many people have asked me how their lives will change during the divorce process. They wonder if they’ll have the freedom to spend money as they please. Or, if financial constraints, such as spousal support, child support, and legal fees, will limit their spending. These are important questions to consider, as divorce often brings about significant changes in a relatively short period. Have you ever created a budget before? Have you thought about the costs associated with divorce?

Today, I’d like to address several questions that may be on your mind regarding divorce. It’s important to ask these questions now rather than wait until the divorce proceedings begin. You may have even more questions and less time to address them once it begins. One topic I want to cover is the types of spending permissible during a Texas divorce. Additionally, I’ll touch on the importance of setting a budget for yourself and your family. It’s a topic often overlooked in Texas family law discussions.

Spending money during a Texas divorce

We all know that going through a divorce is difficult. There is no real way to sugarcoat or gloss over the fact that a divorce is unpleasant. Before starting a divorce, many overlook the lack of control they’ll have over it. Particularly, your spending freedom diminishes significantly.

Benefits of Responsible Spending Habits for Your Family

Most readers here likely don’t struggle with excessive spending or engaging in questionable financial behavior. While some may grapple with impulse control issues, it typically doesn’t reach a level that jeopardizes their family’s financial stability. This responsible approach benefits both you and your family in the long term.

However, Texas family courts focus on two types of individuals involved in divorce cases concerning their finances. The first person is someone who cannot control their spending. You may have this type of person in your family, or you may be this type of person yourself. If you have money in your pocket, it will be out of there and spent on something by the end of the day. When you go to a store or go online, you cannot control yourself when it comes to spending money. Your impulses rule your habits, and for whatever reason, you cannot get a grip on keeping your spending in line with your income.

Frequently you may find yourself running low on cash before the end of the month kids there. Credit cards in other types of loans will be a part of your divorce, and your ability to develop a plan to attack these problems has not shown itself yet. However, there is time for you to learn how to address these topics in a divorce sort of acts as a trial by fire when it comes to doing that.

Understanding Marital Asset Wasting in Divorce Cases

Courts also focus on individuals who spend money during a divorce to intentionally harm their spouse. This behavior, known as wasting marital assets, involves purposeful and planned actions to reduce the total assets available for division.

You may be asking yourself why a person would ever do this. After all, the money that is being spent is theirs and not solely their spouses. With this in mind, why would a person go to these lengths to harm their spouse and themselves? A divorce can lead individuals to behave in ways that are out of character. While most people wouldn’t normally engage in such spiteful behavior, the stress and emotions of divorce can sometimes lead to actions like wasting marital assets.

What is the most common type of marital asset wasting?

In my view, the most common form of marital property waste involves making purchases on credit, anticipating the debt will be divided equally during the divorce. If you’re unfamiliar with Texas’s Community property law, this strategy might seem unusual. However, a basic understanding of Texas family law can give the wrong idea about the division of property and debts, potentially leading to such actions.

Community Property Law in Texas Divorce

In Texas, community property law is based on the equitable distribution of property and debt that came into being during your marriage. The idea is that if you went into the marriage with property or debt, that property or debt would remain your or your spouse’s separate property throughout the marriage and divorce. In my experience, individuals frequently waste marital property by purchasing items on credit, hoping for an even division of debt during divorce. Often, this behavior stems from a misunderstanding of Texas family law regarding the division of property and debts.

Under this law, any income earned, property acquired, or debts incurred during the marriage fall within the community estate. Unless special circumstances apply, courts typically divide property and debts fairly evenly in a divorce. Many people, I believe, choose to squander Community property assets during the divorce proceedings. Someone may have received poor advice on financial management during their divorce. Indeed, reckless spending might go unnoticed if there is sufficient disposable income or if the attorneys involved are not vigilant. However, you should not gamble on these situations occurring in your divorce.

Wasting Marital Assets: Consequences in Texas Divorce

You should know that Texas divorce courts take the wasting of marital assets very seriously. If a court finds that you have squandered marital assets, you are likely to face a penalty from the judge. For instance, if you’re found guilty of wasting marital assets, your spouse might receive a disproportionate share of the Community property. “Disproportionate share” means your spouse could receive over 50% of your community estate regarding the property.

If you accumulate excessive debt during the divorce, or if it’s considered a waste of marital assets, you could be held accountable for it. You may also end up responsible for a larger share of the debt and have to cover your spouse’s attorney fees and other costs. While good faith efforts that result in losses such as an investment gone bad do not count as wasting a marital asset, simply overspending or purposely causing harm to joint assets almost certainly would count as the wasting of marital property.

What are some examples of wasting marital assets?

Remember that your divorce in your circumstances is unique to you and your spouse. As a result, your case may involve different types of marital property wasting that are not covered here. However, I would like to take some time and discuss with you some fairly common types of marital property wasting that can occur in a divorce case.

Spending Marital Assets on Affairs

One type of marital asset wasting that can occur in a divorce is spending money odd a girlfriend or boyfriend. This is an uncomfortable and unpleasant subject to discuss. Still, it does happen in divorce cases where infidelity not only acts as an issue within the marriage and divorce, but the spending of money and assets on that boyfriend or girlfriend acts as a second. If you suspect that your spouse is having an affair, you need to be very careful to pay attention to a bank account and investment activity to determine if any money is being spent on the relationship.

Not only could this type of paper trail make a difference when it comes to proving infidelity, but it is also essential for you to establish any degree of marital property wasting that occurs. For example, has your spouse purchased jewelry, electronics, or other expensive items for their boyfriend or girlfriend? If so, you need to keep track of any amounts that have been spent that you can determine based on your access to bank records and online statements through your bank or credit union.

Pitfalls of Impulse Spending: Buying a Vehicle During Divorce

Another way that I have seen people waste assets in a marriage is by purchasing a new vehicle during the divorce. Why a person would want to purchase a vehicle during a divorce is beyond me. Typically, I will chalk it up to not having all of your mental faculties working at full speed due to the stress and heartache associated with the divorce. Spending money can be seen as a way to call me yourself and put your mind at ease during a divorce. However, this type of spending will not only harm you in the long run but can also result in penalties during the divorce.

Although paying down debt is rarely a bad idea, it is typically frowned upon during a divorce. Many standing orders and eventually temporary orders in a divorce will bar you from using community income to pay down debt, whether it is your separate debt or community debt period; the reason is that courts want you to keep your money at your fingertips if a need to spend it on your case or the essentials of your life comes up.

Practical Advice on Debt Reduction During Divorce

Most people do not have much margin in the way above using money during a divorce to spend on debt Reduction. My advice would be to hold onto any money you can save, regardless of whether you plan to reduce debt in your life. Wait to see the outcome of the divorce proceedings and how income will be divided before making any decisions. Then you can make a lump sum payment towards your debt as soon as your divorce is over.

The bottom line is that you need to be able to prove that your spouse intentionally acted in a dishonest or underhanded manner to harm your community estate specifically. Although you may know your spouse’s heart and motivation better than anyone coming up with evidence to prove these things can be difficult. For that reason, it is very much recommended that you work with an experienced family law attorney to help you plan and build a case to prove marital asset wasting.

Working on a budget during a divorce

Initially, the idea of living on a budget and meticulously planning finances during a divorce may seem unappealing. It may feel like unnecessary homework and restrictive. However, I argue that creating a budget offers freedom rather than restrictions. It allows you to manage spending effectively during and after the divorce.

Throughout the divorce proceedings, you’re permitted to spend on essentials such as mortgage, rent, groceries, attorney fees, and items crucial for your children. Texas regulations discourage excessive spending on nonessentials or frivolous items, as we’ve already discussed. A budget aids in monitoring spending and averting potential issues. The second step is initiating a budget in the first instance.

Contrary to what many people think, creating and maintaining a budget does not have to be complicated. Simply sitting down at your kitchen table with a legal pad and a pen is a great start. Analyzing your monthly income, bills, expenses, and obligations enables you to gauge your remaining funds each month. This assessment may unveil areas where you can trim expenses, providing more flexibility to cover bills and other divorce-related costs. You may even feel like you got a raise after your first month or two of diligent budgeting.

Conclusion

Managing spending money during divorce in Texas is a crucial aspect of navigating the dissolution of a marriage. During this time, individuals often face financial uncertainties and necessary adjustments. Therefore, it is essential to seek expert financial advice and develop a strategic plan for the future. By addressing key concerns like retirement savings, debt obligations, and business interests early on, individuals can better position themselves for financial stability and confidence both during and after the divorce process. Proactive financial management during this period can lead to a smoother transition and ensure a more secure financial foundation in the post-divorce phase of life.

Questions about the material contained in today’s blog post? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan

If you have any questions about the material in today’s blog post, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. Our licensed family law attorneys offer free-of-charge consultation six days a week in person, over the phone, and via video. These consultations are a great way for you to learn about the world of Texas family law and also about how the law could impact you and your family given your specific circumstances. I appreciate your interest in our law office. We hope you will join us tomorrow as we continue to share unique and interesting information about the world of Texas family law.

  1. Does Hiring a Divorce Lawyer Save You Money in the Long Run?
  2. Is Money Received in Property Distribution Taxable in Texas?
  3. Is Separate Account Money in Texas Separate? The Legal Perspective
  4. Money isn’t everything but it is important when it comes to your Texas divorce
  5. How to ensure that your spouse pays you money awarded in a Texas divorce
  6. What can make your divorce cost more money?
  7. College Expenses and Child Support after divorce: Money, money, money
  8. Mediation in Texas Divorce: A Time and Money Saver
  9. Should I Hide Money From My Spouse to Get Ready for My Texas Divorce?
  10. Dividing up your property in a divorce is about more than money

Frequently Asked Questions

What assets are protected in a divorce in Texas?

In Texas, community property acquired during the marriage is subject to division, while certain assets like separate property brought into the marriage, gifts, and inheritances may be protected from division during divorce.

What is considered marital waste in Texas?

Marital waste in Texas refers to the reckless or intentional spending of community funds or assets with the purpose of harming the other spouse during the divorce process.

Can my husband legally withhold money from me in Texas?

No, your husband cannot legally withhold money from you without a court order during the divorce process. Community property and income should be fairly divided between both spouses.

Does my husband have to pay the bills until we are divorced in Texas?

During the divorce process, both spouses are generally responsible for their own bills. However, temporary orders or agreements may determine financial responsibilities until the divorce is finalized.

Categories

Share this article

Contact Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC Today!

At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, the firm wants to get to know your case before they commit to work with you. They offer all potential clients a no-obligation, free consultation where you can discuss your case under the client-attorney privilege. This means that everything you say will be kept private and the firm will respectfully advise you at no charge. You can learn more about Texas divorce law and get a good idea of how you want to proceed with your case.

Plan Your Visit

Office Hours

Mon-Fri: 8 AM – 6 PM Saturday: By Appointment Only

Scroll to Top

Don’t miss the chance to get your FREE Texas Divorce Handbook

Don't miss out on valuable information - download our comprehensive Texas Divorce Handbook today for expert guidance through the divorce process in the Lone Star State. Take the first step towards a smoother divorce journey by downloading our Texas Divorce Handbook now.

Fill the form below to get your free copy