We know that it is incredibly stressful when you are going through a divorce or separation. If you have children, the situation becomes much more complicated. One thing is certain – both child support and spousal maintenance may be a reality.
At the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi, we understand that these issues can become complicated. When you need a Westlake Village family law attorney, we are here to help. Today, we want to talk about why one party would lie about their income on expenses and what you can do about it.
When you and your spouse are going through the divorce process, the court will ask for all the information regarding your income. This information will be used to calculate how much will be made in child support payments (if there are children involved) and whether or not spousal maintenance payments (alimony) will be necessary.
However, what happens when one party lies about their income or expenses?
Why would they do that in the first place?
As much as we would like everyone to do what is in the best interests of all parties, some people want to cheat. A person may not be truthful about their income because they do not want to pay spousal support or they want to pay as little as possible in child support payments.
Similarly, a person may lie about their expenses because they want to be paid more in spousal maintenance than would otherwise be fair or they want more child support than necessary to be paid.
First, it needs to be said that these lies are illegal. No party in a divorce or separation case can lie to the family court about their income or expenses and not expect punishment if they are caught.
What should you do if you discover that the other party is not being truthful?
Never directly confront someone if you suspect they are lying about their income or expenses. You need to work through an attorney and the court systems. Chances are, you the situation is already emotionally charged for you. If you insert yourself into the situation directly, you may slow the process of getting the mistakes fixed.
In some cases, you may not discover that the other party lied until after a settlement has been made. In that case, your attorney can petition the court for a modification.
It is important that all parties are honest and upfront about their finances. Divorces, especially when there are children are involved, are complicated enough without deception. If you are having trouble during the divorce process or need help, the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi are here for you. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will get to work on your case and ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the entire process.
When you need a Westlake Village family law attorney, you can contact us for a consultation by calling at 805-379-4550.
