Date: 18/07/2025

Subject: Economic abuse / financial abuse

Table of contents:

• How financial abuse can impact divorce proceedings
• How to recognise the signs of financial abuse
• Why expert advice should be sought
• At what point does money management within a relationship become unhealthy?
• How The Serious Crime Act 2015 can be used
• How our expert team can help you

What impact can financial abuse have on the divorce process?

For most couples, it’s often possible to cite an approximate value of their main financial assets just from recollection alone.

This can typically include the amount currently held in joint bank accounts and pension pots, for example.

However, for a victim on the receiving end of economic abuse, their reality is often completely different. A victim of economic abuse may well be entirely kept in the dark as to how much their key financial assets are worth.

For victims of financial abuse, sometimes even the ability to spend on low-value items is very tightly controlled by their partner.

It is also possible, during a subsequent divorce, that as the partner's grip of control loosens, they may try to frustrate the divorce process at every turn.

This is why an expert team is needed—a team with a long-standing reputation for offering crystal-clear advice to separating and divorcing couples. This can help ensure that you receive a fair settlement and so you can look forward to a brighter future. We here at Alun Jones Family Law stand ready to help you.

Recognising the signs of economic abuse

It's important to understand that it is possible to be a victim of economic abuse for many consecutive years at the same time not realise you are a victim.
This is simply because a partner's grip over their finances may have become so “normalised” within the relationship that their partner may not even realise this behaviour is abnormal.

This is why during consultation with your family lawyer, they should be able to spot signs of this behaviour.
Some of the tell-tale signs include not having access to your own money, having to ask permission to buy items of relatively low value, and having no knowledge of where key assets, such as pension funds are being held.

Why you should seek expert advice

At the centre of economic abuse is a willingness for one partner to extend coercive and controlling behaviour over their partner. This, of course, can lead to the detriment and unhappiness of their victim.

It can also mean that during the divorce process, as that person's sense of power, control, and influence is being questioned, their behaviour becomes abnormal.

Family lawyers should therefore be extra vigilant to prevent the coercive behaviour from escalating. During the divorce process assets could be concealed, and your partner could complete the Form E in such a way that does not hold an accurate and fair picture of your current financial situation.

Do rest assured that we will work tirelessly with you to obtain a fair settlement for you and your family.

When does money management within a relationship turn unhealthy?

It may be the case that one partner is not comfortable handling the couple's finances; it’s a part of the relationship that they would rather their partner take care of on their behalf.

For another partner they may enjoy this aspect of the relationship, for example, swapping credit card deals or utility providers to obtain more favourable rates.

Having one partner solely manage the finances can be a perfectly healthy part of the relationship; it therefore doesn’t mean automatically mean that undue influence is being exerted over their partner.

However, a clear distinction needs to be made between when one partner wants their partner to manage these aspects of the finances voluntarily and when things can turn unhealthy.

Coercive and controlling behaviour is anything but healthy for anyone involved. This is where acts and legislation can be enforced to protect you and your rights.

Our team can ensure that these laws are used to help protect your rights.

The Serious Crime Act 2015

The Serious Crime Act of 2015 makes coercive and controlling behaviour within a relationship a criminal offence. Therefore, this act can sometimes be used as part of the divorce process or during a relationship breakdown.
Economic abuse, in particular, is a form of domestic abuse; therefore, there is legislation to protect you under the Domestic Abuse Act of 2021.

How can we help?

Our team will work with you to ensure you receive a fair financial settlement. We understand and fully appreciate that this process is often not straightforward when economic abuse is involved within a divorce or separation.

It may not be easy at this stage to take the first step forward and reach out to contact us.

However, our expert team are on hand to assist you when you are ready. We will liaise with you in a completely confidential manner and can consult with you at a time that is convenient for you.

Contact our expert team today.