Signs to tell if your partner wants out!
Sure, being served unexpectedly with legal papers by a complete stranger is a sure, (but not so subtle), sign your partner wants out of the relationship, but what are some of the other, far less obvious, signs?
Rising Debt
Typically, all debt as of the date of separation is considered a family debt and shared equally, whether or not the debt is in joint name or not. So if your spouse suddenly expresses an interest in taking an expensive, exotic, vacation (without you), or in making any other major expenditure, for which he, or she, will be the main recipient, it may be a sign of trouble to come.
Parent of the Year
If your, otherwise unhelpful, spouse, surprisingly, offers to become much involved with the child care responsibilities, it may mean one of two things. Either, they have sincerely figured out the true meaning of responsible parenting, or (more cynically), they’ve received legal advice to become more actively involved with the children, to maximize their leverage in future parenting/custody negotiations or litigation. Hopefully it’s the former.
Jobless in Seattle
If your, otherwise job focused, spouse unexpectedly declines to accept a much anticipated promotion, or decides to forego available overtime, it may be because they’re genuinely feeling tired or burned out. Or, it may be because they’ve received legal advice to minimize their income to minimize their future child and spousal support payments.
Disappearing Documents
If all of a sudden you discover that the drawer which formerly held all of the various bank and investment statements, income tax returns, property documents, etc is now, inexplicably, empty, it may be because (as your spouse advises you) Revenue Canada requires them for an audit.
Or, it could be much worse!
Namely, your spouse has been advised to collect and copy all of the important documents such as bank statements, income tax returns etc, since such documents are critical for the purpose of determining income, and the distribution of assets and liabilities.
Of course, the most obvious sign that your spouse has plans to separate? You catch them bookmarking this blog!
