Divorce can turn into a messy experience when spouses harbor an abundance of animosity toward one another. Under these circumstances, a spouse may take extreme actions, even before the divorce process begins, to hurt the other spouse. One such action is known as wasteful dissipation. As the name suggests, wasteful dissipation involves the wasting of marital assets, oftentimes, to prevent the other spouse from obtaining a fair share of these assets.
In some cases, wasteful dissipation may have been what ultimately led to the divorce if a spouse was reckless with marital funds or purposefully failed to protect marital property.
Understanding Wasteful Dissipation
Wasteful dissipation can take on many forms in a marriage that can be penalized during the divorce process if proven in court.
These are some examples of wasteful dissipation:
- Giving away marital assets or property to friends or family
- Intentionally overspending by going on massive shopping sprees or buying pricey luxury items
- Gambling or purposefully making terrible investment decisions
- Allowing property to go into foreclosure or get repossessed
- Using marital funds to partake in an extramarital affair
The amount involved in a wasteful dissipation case must generally be substantial. If you are trying to claim your spouse wastefully dissipated assets and the amount in question is minor, it is unlikely your case will be successful. However, if your spouse blew $50,000 at the race tracks, you may be able to recover your half of those wasted marital assets.
Discuss the Details of Your Wasteful Dissipation Case with an Experienced Divorce Attorney!
If your spouse wasted marital assets, now is the time to hire an experienced legal advocate to ensure you receive your fair share of assets during the divorce process. At Crossman & McNamee, LLC, our family law team has the knowledge, skill, and insight to strategize effectively on your behalf. We understand how important the outcome of your case is for you and will work tirelessly on your behalf to protect your interests.
Reach out to our legal team today at (937) 468-3796 to set up an initial case review with one of our family law attorneys to find out more about your legal options and how we can assist you.
