iHeart Radio: Financial Abuse During Divorce - Featuring Alyssa Bach, Shulman & Partners

Financial abuse in relationships can take many forms, from restricting access to bank accounts to using financial resources as leverage during separation. While some couples naturally divide financial responsibilities, a lack of transparency can create serious challenges when a relationship ends.

In a recent appearance on The Night Shift with Shane Hewitt on the iHeartRadio Talk Network, Alyssa Bach, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP, discussed how financial control can affect relationships and complicate divorce and separation proceedings. She explored the difference between everyday financial arrangements and deliberate manipulation, the risks of financial misconduct during separation, and how Ontario family law addresses disputes involving money, support, and financial disclosure.

“When we look at financial abuse, it's really a nature of financial control that one person holds over the other person. And sometimes that financial control can also lead to other areas of control based on that financial manipulation.”
— Alyssa Bach, Associate Lawyer, Shulman & Partners LLP  

During her conversation with Shane Hewitt, Alyssa discussed how financial abuse can develop within relationships and become particularly challenging during separation or divorce.

She explained that financial abuse often involves an imbalance of power, where one partner controls the other's access to money. This can occur when one person earns most of the household income, but it can also affect individuals who have their own earnings yet face restrictions on accessing or managing their finances.

However, not every unequal financial arrangement is abusive. Some couples divide responsibilities out of convenience, with one partner managing household finances while the other takes a less active role. Alyssa emphasized the importance of financial transparency, encouraging couples to regularly discuss their accounts, debts, and long-term financial plans.

Without these conversations, one partner may be unaware of significant debts or financial decisions that could affect their future. Understanding the household's financial position can help distinguish an ordinary division of responsibilities from intentional financial manipulation.

The discussion also explored how financial control can escalate during separation. Alyssa described situations where one partner attempts to gain an advantage by withholding financial support or using their greater resources to pressure the other into accepting an unfavourable settlement.

Financial misconduct can also involve the misuse of shared resources. For example, one partner might unexpectedly withdraw substantial amounts from a joint line of credit, leaving the other to deal with the consequences.

When these disputes arise, she noted that many separations can be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration rather than litigation. Financial disclosure plays an important role in this process, allowing both parties to understand their financial circumstances and work toward a resolution. However, court intervention may become necessary when someone refuses to provide required financial information or comply with their obligations.

For individuals navigating separation, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding their finances, maintaining transparency, and recognizing when financial disagreements may involve deliberate attempts at control.

Listen to the full iHeart Radio segment here. 

This media appearance is part of Shulman & Partners LLP’s ongoing contributions to Canadian family law discussions. Explore more of our media features in our In the Media  archive.