Table of Contents
What to Do With Bank Accounts Before Filing for Divorce in Arizona
We get a lot of questions about bank accounts and divorce in Arizona. Specifically, we are asked what they should do with their bank accounts both before they file for divorce or legal separation and after they file.
One of the concerns raised is whether the other spouse will clear out all of the money in a bank account.
Some people want to know if they should clear out all of the money in the bank accounts before the other spouse does it.
There is no simple answer to whether you should remove money from your joint bank accounts prior to filing a divorce.
Things to Consider Before You Empty a Joint Bank Account Because of a Divorce in Arizona
However, there are some things to consider before your empty your joint bank accounts before you file divorce or legal separation.
Cleaning out the bank accounts before filing for divorce will give you the peace of mind that your spouse will not leave you destitute.
However, it very likely will be seen as a hostile act at the beginning of your divorce, which may significantly increase the emotions that already exist in a divorce.
One of the things good attorneys do is to not do anything at the beginning of a divorce to create an atmosphere of mistrust or otherwise increase the negative emotions people already experience in divorce.
So, if you clean out the joint bank accounts before filing for divorce you should be prepared to have a very angry spouse who may be much less likely to be reasonable when it comes time to resolve other issues in your case, such as the division of community property.
As a general rule, therefore, most good attorneys do not advise their clients to clean out joint bank accounts before filing for divorce.
Options for Withdrawing Money Before Filing for Divorce in Arizona
However, there are some instances when someone knows the other spouse is either planning to clear out the bank accounts or is likely to do so.
In those cases, a couple of options exist for you.
One such option is for you to take 50% of the money in all joint bank accounts and leave the other 50% for your spouse.
This is going to mitigate some of those hard feelings your spouse may have about your decision to remove money from financial accounts.
Other people may decide to pay off their community debts from the funds held in joint bank accounts.
This approach is considered by people who do not expect the soon to be ex to be responsible for paying his or her 50% share of the debts that are divided in a divorce.
Many people spend too much money having to enforce final orders in a divorce decree that required their former spouse to pay bills assigned to them in the divorce.
If all those debts are paid off before filing the divorce, you will have one less thing to think about during and after your divorce is final.
Option to Freeze Bank Accounts in a Divorce in Arizona
If none of the options listed above sound attractive, you can file a motion to freeze bank accounts and other financial accounts when you file for divorce or legal separation.
You or your attorney can file for a Temporary Restraining Order from the court freezing your bank accounts.
That order may, under some circumstances, be obtained before you serve your spouse with your divorce papers.
You would then serve that Temporary Restraining Order on all of your banks and financial institutions who will then prohibit either spouse from emptying any bank or financial accounts.
This approach has the obvious problem that, although your spouse cannot take money out of your bank and financial accounts, you cannot do so either.
So, this may or may not be the best option depending upon what other sources of funds you have available to support yourself during a divorce or legal separation in Arizona.
Attorneys to Consult About Bank Accounts During a Divorce in Arizona
If you have questions about joint bank accounts in an Arizona divorce case, you should seriously consider contacting the attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC. Our Arizona community property and family law attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience successfully representing clients in community property disputes and family law cases.
Our family law firm has earned numerous awards such as US News and World Reports Best Arizona Family Law Firm, US News and World Report Best Divorce Attorneys, “Best of the Valley” by Arizona Foothills readers, and “Best Arizona Divorce Law Firms” by North Scottsdale Magazine.
Call us today at (480)305-8300 or reach out to us through our appointment scheduling form to schedule your personalized consultation and turn your Arizona community property or family law case around today.
Is It illegal in Arizona to Remove Money From a Bank Account Before Filing for Divorce?
No, it is not illegal for you to remove money from a joint bank account before filing a divorce in Arizona.
Will I be in trouble with the judge if I clean out all of the bank and financial accounts before filing a divorce in Arizona?
The judge may be upset with your decision to clean out the bank accounts depending upon the justification for doing so and whether you have hidden or concealed where the money is now being held.
Will a judge be upset if I remove all of the money from the accounts to pay off community debts before filing for divorce in Arizona?
Most likely not unless your spouse is left destitute and with no other way to support himself or herself.
More Articles About Arizona Community Property Laws
- UNEQUAL DIVISION OF PROPERTY IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- DIVIDING PROPERTY NOT INCLUDED IN DIVORCE DECREE IN ARIZONA
- EFFECT OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY LAWS ON A PERSONAL GUARANTY IN ARIZONA
- DIVISION OF PENSIONS IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- CAN A SPOUSE BE HELD LIABLE FOR CREDIT CARD DEBT IN ARIZONA
- DIVISION OF DEBT IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY AND DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- INTEREST ON A LOAN BETWEEN SPOUSES IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- IMPROVEMENTS TO SEPARATE PROPERTY IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- ENFORCING A PROPERTY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- DETERMINING COMMUNITY VERSUS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- FAIR COMPENSATION DEFENSE IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- EFFECT OF A DISCLAIMER DEED OR QUITCLAIM DEED IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- ENFORCE DIVISION OF PROPERTY AND DEBT IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- HOW STOCK OPTIONS ARE DIVIDED IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- HOW RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ARE DIVIDED IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- HOW IS COMMUNITY PROPERTY DIVIDED IN ARIZONA
- IS SEPARATE PROPERTY DIVIDED DIFFERENTLY THAN COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND SEPARATE PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE SEPARATE PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- IS ALL PROPERTY OWNED BY EITHER SPOUSE COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- DO RULES REGARDING PROPERTY APPLY TO DEBTS IN ARIZONA
- WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SEPARATE PROPERTY IS USED TO PURCHASE A HOME DURING MARRIAGE IN ARIZONA
- COMMUNITY LIEN ON SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- HOW TO DIVIDE PROPERTY IN ARIZONA WHEN A SPOUSE IS HIDING ASSETS
- IS ARIZONA A 50 50 STATE IN A DIVORCE
- UNFAIR SEPARATION AGREEMENT IN ARIZONA
- VALUATION AND DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS FOR A PENSION IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- FILING A LIS PENDENS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- COMMUNITY PROPERTY LIEN ON A DEPRECIATING ASSET IN ARIZONA
- REIMBURSEMENT FOR PAYING SEPARATE DEBTS OF A SPOUSE IN ARIZONA
- REFUSAL TO SELL A HOUSE AFTER A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- EFFECT OF MILITARY BENEFITS ON A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- VALUING GOODWILL OF A LAW FIRM IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- EFFECT OF A DISCLAIMER DEED ON COMMUNITY PROPERTY RIGHTS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- EFFECT OF USING SOLE AND SEPARATE FUNDS USED TO BUY A HOUSE IN ARIZONA
- DIVISION OF MILITARY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY PAYMENTS IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- WHEN SEPARATE PROPERTY IS USED TO BUY COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ASSETS ARE NOT DIVIDED IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE DECREE
- PROPERTY HELD AS JOINT TENANTS WITH RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- SEGREGATING SEPARATE FROM COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- TRANSMUTING SEPARATE INTO COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- TRACING SEPARATE PROPERTY IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- REIMBURSEMENT OF SEPARATE PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- COMMUNITY LIABILITY FOR SEPARATE DEBTS IN ARIZONA
- STATEMENTS ON PROPERTY ARE BINDING IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- DIVIDING RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- SELLING A HOUSE DURING A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- CRSC PAY AND DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- JUDGMENT FOR SEPARATE PROPERTY STOLEN DURING MARRIAGE IN ARIZONA
- JUDGE IGNORES A BUSINESS APPRAISAL IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- MINORITY DISCOUNT IN A BUSINESS APPRAISAL IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- WHAT HAPPENS TO PERSONAL INJURY AWARDS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- REIMBURSEMENT OF SEPARATE PROPERTY IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- THE VALUATION OF A LAW PRACTICE IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- COMMUNITY PROPERTY LOTTERY WINNINGS IN ARIZONA
- IMPACT OF FILING A HOMESTEAD ON SEPARATE PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- SEPARATE PROPERTY INCREASES IN VALUE DURING MARRIAGE IN ARIZONA
- DIVIDING CONTINGENCY FEES IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- EFFECT OF POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENT ON CREDITORS IN ARIZONA
- EFFECT OF A PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT ON CREDITORS IN ARIZONA
- VALUING A BUSINESS IN ARIZONA DIVORCE WITH NO FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS
- UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A POWER OF ATTORNEY IN ARIZONA
- EFFECT OF PLACING COMMUNITY PROPERTY INTO A FAMILY TRUST IN ARIZONA
- WHAT HAPPENS TO AN INCREASE IN RETIREMENT BENEFITS AFTER A DIVORCE
- FAILURE TO DISCLOSE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN ARIZONA
- AWARD OF MONEY IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- INTEREST ON A JUDGMENT IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE DECREE
- SANCTIONS FOR COMPELLING LATE DISCOVERY IN ARIZONA
- PREMARITAL AGREEMENTS AND CREDITORS IN ARIZONA
- INTEREST ON A JUDGMENT IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE DECREE
- FRAUDULENT QUITCLAIM DEED IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- WHAT HAPPENS TO DEBTS NOT INCLUDED IN A DIVORCE DECREE IN ARIZONA
- IS SEPARATE PROPERTY LIABLE FOR COMMUNITY DEBT IN ARIZONA
- EFFECT OF COMMINGLING SEPARATE AND COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- EFFORT DOES NOT ENTITLE A SPOUSE TO MORE COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- COMMUNITY PROPERTY INTEREST IN A BUSINESS OWNED PRIOR TO MARRIAGE
- WHAT HAPPENS TO LOANS BEFORE MARRIAGE IN ARIZONA
- TITLE AFFECTS COMMUNITY PROPERTY RIGHTS IN ARIZONA
- LIABILITY FOR A SPOUSE’S NEGLIGENCE IN ARIZONA
- CREDITOR COLLECTING A SEPARATE DEBT WITH COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- VALUATION OF STOCK HOLDINGS AND DEBT IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- COMMUNITY PROPERTY LIABILITY EXISTS EVEN AFTER PROBATE ENDS
- CAN A CREDITOR TAKE SOLE AND SEPARATE ASSETS IN ARIZONA
- IMPACT ON THE INCREASED VALUE OF A BUSINESS IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- PROFITS FROM SOLE AND SEPARATE BUSINESS IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- EFFECT OF COMBINING COMMUNITY AND SEPARATE PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- ABANDONMENT OF MARRIAGE AND COMMUNITY PROPERTY RIGHTS IN ARIZONA
- EFFECT OF AN INCREASE IN SEPARATE BUSINESS STOCK IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- VALUING A PENSION PLAN IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- GIFT OF SEPARATE PROPERTY BY ISSUING A JOINT TENANCY DEED IN ARIZONA
- CREDITOR LIEN ON JOINT TENANCY PROPERTY IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- FAILURE TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THE VALUE OF PROPERTY IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- MILITARY RETIREMENT PAYMENTS IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- JOINT TENANCY PROPERTY IN AN ARIZONA PROBATE
- CHANGING JOINT PROPERTY INTO COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- DISPOSITION OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN A LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
- COMMUNITY LIEN IN A SOLE AND SEPARATE BUSINESS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- COMMUNITY FUNDS PAID ON A SOLE AND SEPARATE HOUSE IN ARIZONA
- TRANSMUTING SEPARATE PROPERTY INTO COMMUNITY PROPERTY BY COMMINGLING IN ARIZONA
- COMMUNITY LIABILITY FOR DEBT GUARANTEED BY SPOUSE IN ARIZONA
- SEPARATE FUNDS TO BUY JOINT PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- COMPENSATION FOR WASTE OF COMMUNITY ASSETS IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- DAMAGE CAUSED BY A COMMUNITY PROPERTY VEHICLE IN ARIZONA
- WHAT TO DO WHEN A SPOUSE IS HIDING ASSETS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- OPTIONS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- MURDERER SPOUSE & COMMUNITY PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
- ENFORCING A SURVIVOR BENEFIT ELECTION IN A PENSION IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- DIVORCE AND PERSONAL INJURY AWARDS IN ARIZONA
- INJURY AWARDS AND DIVORCE SETTLEMENTS IN ARIZONA
- PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INJURY AWARD IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- CLAIM OF SPOUSE’S PERSONAL INJURY AWARD IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- PROVING WHAT IS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- VALUING A HOUSE DURING A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLANS IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- 7 REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT IN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- IMPACT OF TAXES IN A DIVORCE SETTLEMENT IN ARIZONA
- DIVORCE AND REFINANCING A MORTGAGE IN ARIZONA
- RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS, QDROS, AND DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- TYPES OF BUSINESS APPRAISALS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- HEARING TO CONTEST RULE 69 AGREEMENT IN ARIZONA
- HOW TO DEAL WITH A FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE IN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- PROPERTY EQUALIZATION PAYMENTS IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- TITLE SEARCH ON HOME DURING DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- DIVIDING ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- CLAIMS OF WASTE IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- REIMBURSEMENT FOR PAYING BILLS IN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- DEFERRED MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY AND DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- SURVIVOR ELECTION AND MILITARY RETIREMENT IN ARIZONA
- DEFENSE TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR PAYING BILLS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- CSRS BENEFITS AND DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- DIVIDING A PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- IMPACT OF DISABILITY PAY ON COMMUNITY PROPERTY RIGHTS IN ARIZONA
- COMMUNITY PROPERTY AND ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE IN ARIZONA
- DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO DIVIDING A BUSINESS IN A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- DIVIDING BUSINESS PROFITS DURING A DIVORCE IN ARIZONA
- MINORITY DISCOUNT IN A BUSINESS VALUATION IN AN ARIZONA DIVORCE
- ARIZONA COMMUNITY PROPERTY LAWS
About the Author: Chris Hildebrand has over 26 years of Arizona family law experience and received awards from US News and World Report, Phoenix Magazine, Arizona Foothills Magazine and others. Visit https://www.hildebrandlaw.com.