Divorce is a huge financial strain on most couples, and your Milwaukee family lawyer could probably tell you stories that would make you clutch your checkbook in terror. Even if you think you’ll be fine, surprises pop up at the most inopportune times (like in the middle of your divorce) that can turn a healthy bank account into a closed one.
So what happens if you’re doing fine and your ex asks you for money? Should you open your purse strings, dash off a check or pull some of your own hard-earned cash out of an ATM?
Handing Over the Cash: Are You a Good Samaritan or Seriously Misguided?
If your ex asks you for money, call your Milwaukee divorce lawyer right away. Don’t commit to anything, either way, no matter how tempted you are. Your attorney can give you case-specific advice on whether it will help you or hurt you.
Your lawyer might also tell you that it’s up to you. If it won’t affect your case, consider why your ex is asking for cash.
Will it go toward things your children need? Is he or she going to use it to support a personal lifestyle? Will the money help defray the cost of legitimate living expenses? Could your money end up in the hands of a new “significant other” instead?
Should you decide to give your ex money, no matter how much, you absolutely must keep a running tally. Give the money in a traceable form; no cash transactions, because there’s no paper trail. You’ll either need to use an online banking service such as PayPal or write checks. The key is giving your ex money that can be independently verified if it ever needs to be.
You’re Not a Bank
Remember the old story If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? Some exes turn out like that little mouse. Be careful that your ex doesn’t start seeing you as a source of income, even if you have the money to afford it. (If you’re not sure what alimony will do to your finances, check out our Wisconsin alimony calculator.)
No matter what you decide to do, make sure you keep your Milwaukee divorce attorney in the loop. He or she can give you the best advice when you keep them up-to-date on what’s going on behind the scenes,
