My Husband Threatened to Stop Paying Bills if I File for Divorce; Can he Do that?

There’s almost nothing scarier than being without money.

You can’t pay the mortgage. You can’t feed the kids. You can’t do anything.

Controlling husbands know this, and they’ll use that fear to control their wives.

Usually, it happens like this: wife tells husband she wants a divorce; husband threatens her, saying if she leaves or files for divorce, he’ll cut her off from the money and she and the kids won’t have anything.

It’s all about control, and it works.

Lots of women stay with their husbands just because they’re scared about not having any money if they leave.

I can’t tell you how many women relate this story to me on every week.

So, can your husband cut you off and stop paying if you file for divorce?

The answer is yes and no.

Yes: if your husband makes all the money, then he can keep the money from you by redirecting his paycheck to an account you’re not on.

Now, this doesn’t actually happen that often. Most husbands are more talk than action, and they don’t cut their wives and children off.

(Note: this possibility, while rare, is why I tell wives, when they know they’re about to file for divorce, to take 50% of the money in the joint bank accounts. That way they have some money set aside in case their husbands do cut them off.)

No: your husband really can’t cut you off from marital money.

If you file for divorce and your husband stops giving you and the kids money, stops paying bills, etc., he will get crucified in court.

It will negatively affect him for the rest of the case, and engaging in this sort of behavior will often mean he’ll end up with less custody and parent-time.

If he cuts you off, you’ll be able to get a hearing with the court quickly and start receiving temporary alimony, temporary child support, and payment on the bills.

In conclusion, yes, your husband can cut you off, but it will backfire on him in court and actually advantage you in the end.

Call Brown Family Law

If you find yourself facing a Utah divorce, please call 801.685.9999 for an in-person consultation, or use our online scheduling tool.

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Chris Porter

You get what you pay for, and the Brown Family team is worth every penny. We truly appreciated their team-based approach, making sure that every detail of our case was thoughtfully handled. They were incredibly easy to work with, kept us informed throughout the process, and made sure no question ever went unanswered. By far the best family attorneys I’ve worked with, and the only ones I’ll call if I ever need legal help again.

Response from the owner:Chris, thank you. Glad we were able to guide you through your process.

Joselyn Cortes

Andrew made the whole process smooth and quick! Kept me updated on any changes, and followed up with me constantly!

Made me feel at ease throughout the whole process and made sure I felt seen/ heard!

Response from the owner:Joselyn, thank you for the kind words.

Suzanne Stevens

David Handy is my attorney and he is excellent. He understands my cases and is well informed to defend my needs and the needs of my kids. He is supportive and compassionate. Telling me how things are and what to expect. He does very well with my high conflict cases (protective order and divorce). I highly recommend him and the Brown Family Law firm. Everyone I have talked to is helpful. Especially Conor Schetzel who is currently the paralegal on my cases.

Response from the owner:Suzanne, thank you and glad David has taken care of you.

Jaren Harmon

Nathaniel Garrabrandt and Brown Family Law is where I send people who are seeking Divorce. Highly professional and compassionate. Thank you!

Response from the owner:Jaren, thank you for the referrals.

Meghann Christensen

I cannot say enough good about my experience with Brown Family Law. Ray Hingson and paralegal Carren did an excellent job with my case. I will definitely use this firm again for any legal issues.

Response from the owner:Meghann, so glad Ray and Carren took good care of you.

Monica Cooper

I have worked with Andrew Christensen many times in a variety of situations. I am very impressed with his friendly demeanor in a difficult situation. I would highly recommend him to you without any reservations.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Monica.

Michael Bringhurst

Highly recommend Brown Family Law. Life is hard, divorce is harder, and Andrew Christensen is your guy to help you through to the other side.

Response from the owner:Mike, thank you for the kind words and the referrals.

David Thimm

When you’re going through a tough time and need legal help, this firm isn’t just a one-person operation. It’s a team of attorneys who work together to support you every step of the way. So you’re not just getting a lawyer, you’re getting a legal team behind you.

Navigating the legal system was a steep learning curve for me, and my situation was fairly complex. What stood out about this law firm was the way multiple attorneys collaborated to address my case. It wasn’t just one person working in isolation, but a team supporting each other to find the best path forward. That kind of collective effort is a real strength, especially in hard out complex situations like mine.

There was one issue I felt should have had a different outcome with the court. When I brought it up, the team responded in a very professional and respectful manner, which I truly appreciated. It came to my understanding that the legal system sometimes works in a way that is distant than I thought. This was presented to me in a way that someone outside of the legal system could understand.

In my experience, this firm takes the time to not only assist you, but also help you understand why things are happening. That made a big difference for me, and it’s something that really sets them apart.

Response from the owner:David, thank you for our conversation and taking the time to leave this review.

Steve Baum

My experience with Jennifer and Brown Family Law was nothing short of amazing. From the very beginning of my initial consultation all the through until my case was settled, I was well taken care of and updated every step of the way. I felt like my team genuinely cared about the outcome of my case, which was refreshing. You get what you pay for, and Brown Family was worth every penny. To say I highly recommend this group is an understatement.

Response from the owner:Thank you very much, Steve. Glad Jennifer took good care of you.

Casey Bingham

Andrew Christensen was a great divorce lawyer. He is very experienced, professional, and was great to work with during this difficult process.

Response from the owner:Casey, thank you and so glad Andrew served you well.

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My Husband Threatened to Stop Paying Bills if I File for Divorce; Can he Do that?

So, can your husband cut you off and stop paying if you file for divorce?

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