What to do if your spouse transfers money or assets to family or friends during divorce proceedings.

In a recent case, where the assets and income were modest, the Judge made an Order which added back gifts and loans that the husband had made to the parties’ children, after the separation and made a cost order against the husband.

 

The Judge said the husband had exercised controlling and coercive behaviour over his wife.  The wife was awarded her legal costs because the husband had delayed and exhibited unreasonable and deceitful conduct.

 

These types of matters turn on the specific facts of the case and here the evidence that the wife gave to the Court was felt to be reliable whereas the husband’s evidence was viewed by the Judge as obstructive.