Divorce proceedings, like any other Ohio court proceeding, rely on honest testimony. People, unfortunately, do commit perjury when testifying. False evidence may find its way onto the record. When one spouse discovers than an ex lied about income, it becomes prudent to take steps to address the situation.
The most obvious reason for lying about income involves attempting to avoid paying out more money in a settlement or through alimony or child support payments. The guilty party may try to justify lying in many ways, but there is no justification. He or she is required to tell the truth during the proceedings.
Upon discovering attempts to under-report or hide income, a person could immediately inform their attorney, and the attorney might then bring the matter up to the court. The attorney would likely need concrete proof of the impropriety.
If new information about falsehoods comes to light after the divorce proceedings end, the financially injured party might explore civil suit options. Ohio is not a community property state, which may necessitate filing a lawsuit. Those living in community property states might exercise the opportunity to amend the divorce.
Being on the alert for underhanded behavior could help protect a spouse from suffering financial woes. A soon-to-be ex might hand physical assets such as artwork or jewelry to a friend, move money overseas or divert money from personal or business bank accounts. If something doesn’t seem legitimate with the ex, maybe the action is worth investigating.
Lying or attempting to deceive the court during divorce proceedings is incredibly risky. If caught, an ex could face severe repercussions. A family law attorney may advise a client about what might happen to a spouse if he or she is caught doing something illegal. The attorney may also be able to assist a client deal with an ex who attempts to hide assets and money.
