Narcissism and financial manipulation in divorce – Spotting the signs and taking action

18 February 2025

Divorce can be complicated when financial manipulation is involved, particularly if one party employs it as a means to control or overpower the other.

This form of manipulation is often observed in cases involving narcissistic personalities, who may use financial leverage as a tool to assert dominance and limit their partner’s autonomy.

Recognising the signs of financial manipulation and understanding the legal measures available to counteract such behaviours is needed to protect the interests of victims and ensuring a fair resolution in divorce proceedings.

How narcissists may use financial control during divorce

Narcissists often employ financial control to undermine their partner’s independence, making it challenging for them to have equal standing during the divorce.

Common tactics include:

• Restricting access to bank accounts – This involves the narcissist taking sole control over banking and financial resources, cutting off the other party’s access to funds needed for personal use or shared responsibilities.
• Sabotaging employment – They may attempt to impair their partner’s employment status, hindering their ability to earn an income and achieve financial independence.
• Accruing liabilities – Narcissists might accumulate debts in their partner’s name without their knowledge, thus burdening them with unexpected financial liabilities.
• Concealing or misrepresenting assets – In an attempt to influence the financial outcome of the divorce settlement, a narcissist might hide, misrepresent, or deplete assets secretly.

Steps to uncover hidden assets

If there’s a suspicion that assets are being concealed, several approaches can help bring these to light:

Financial documentation review

Gathering and analysing financial documents such as bank statements, tax returns, and investment records is crucial.

Look for any discrepancies or transactions that do not add up.

Legal intervention

If the other party is uncooperative in disclosing financial details, our family law solicitors can obtain a court order to force the release of more comprehensive financial information.

Legal measures available for victims of financial manipulation

The legal system provides several avenues to help protect individuals from financial manipulation in divorce:

• Financial injunctions – These can be issued to prevent a spouse from selling or disposing of assets during the divorce proceedings.
• Asset disclosure orders – The court can require a party to fully disclose their financial assets. Non-compliance can lead to penalties such as fines or even imprisonment.
• Settlement adjustments – If it is discovered that one party has intentionally squandered marital assets, the court may adjust the financial settlement accordingly.

If you have been impacted by financial manipulation during a divorce, or your ex-spouse has narcissistic traits affecting the divorce, contact us today for expert legal advice.