Divorce Deception Part III: How to Recognize and Respond to Deceptive Moves

By: Jarbath Peña Law Group

If you’ve been following this series, you already know that divorce can bring out behaviors you never thought you’d see from your spouse. Some people, when faced with the stress and loss of control that divorce brings, resort to manipulation, half-truths, or even outright deceit. These tactics can make an already difficult process feel overwhelming.

But here’s the truth: you’re not powerless. Understanding how these strategies work—and having a skilled attorney who knows how to counter them—can make all the difference. At the Jarbath Peña Law Group, P.A., we’ve guided countless clients through the divorce process. We know how to spot these games and how to stop them before they cost you your peace of mind, your money, or your parental rights.

In this final part of our three-part series, we’ll explore several more sneaky divorce tactics, how to recognize them, and what to do to protect yourself.

Manipulating the Children

How to Spot It

When emotions run high, some spouses use the children as pawns to gain leverage. They might make subtle comments aimed at turning the kids against you, overshare details about the divorce, or do other things to make you look like the bad guy. This kind of behavior is emotionally damaging to children and can influence custody outcomes.

You might hear your child repeat adult-level arguments or say things that only your spouse could have told them. Or, your co-parent may intentionally fail to tell you about school events, making you appear uninvolved.

Example Scenario

Your spouse doesnʼt tell you about your childʼs special events at school. Additionally, they block access to allow you to obtain that information independently, or directly from the school or the . They intend to make you look bad when you fail to show up to their events. Perhaps they even make it worse by telling your child that you’re “too busy” or “don’t care enough” to attend.

How to Counter It

In Florida, the presumption is for shared parental responsibility, which means that both of you are allowed to be involved in the chid's rearing, such as participation in special events. You should have equal access learn about the schools special events or extracurricular activities. It is each parent's responsibility to obtain this information on their own. If that access is blocked, it is important to bring it to the court's attention.

Family court judges base custody decisions on the best interests of the child, and cooperation is a key factor. If your co-parent is engaging in deceptive or alienating behavior, it can seriously damage their credibility in front of the judge. A parent who refuses to foster a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent risks losing time-sharing or decision-making authority.

Therefore, keep detailed records of your interactions, including text messages, emails, and visitation exchanges. Stay calm and avoid retaliating through the children, as it only makes the problem worse and makes you look bad to the judge. Do not stoop to your spouseʼs level. Instead, do things correctly. Your attorney can help you request a court order enforcing parental communication and, in extreme cases, can bring evidence of this underhanded behavior to the court’s attention.

Transferring Property to Avoid Division

How to Spot It

A spouse may attempt to give away or sell valuable assets to friends or relatives at suspiciously low prices before divorce proceedings begin. Their goal is to remove property from the marital estate so that you won’t get a share of it during equitable distribution.

Example Scenario

Your spouse sells the family boat to a sibling for one dollar or transfers a car title to a friend, claiming it’s repayment for an old favor. After the divorce, those same assets quietly reappear in your spouse’s name.

How to Counter It

An experienced divorce attorney can use subpoenas, depositions, and financial discovery to uncover these schemes. If the court finds that your spouse fraudulently transferred assets to cheat you, it can reverse the transfer or adjust the final property division to compensate you.

Florida law requires full and honest disclosure of all marital assets. Hiding or transferring property is not only unethical—it can be considered fraud on the court. Judges do not look kindly on deceit, and such behavior can seriously damage your spouse’s credibility.

Changing Locks or Restricting Access

How to Spot It

Some spouses try to gain an unfair advantage early in the process by changing locks on the marital home, cutting off your access to shared accounts, or removing your name from bills and insurance policies. This tactic creates panic and makes you feel powerless.

Example Scenario

You come home to find that the locks have been changed and your belongings are in boxes on the porch. Your spouse claims, “You don’t live here anymore—it’s my house now.”

How to Counter It

If the home is jointly owned or rented in both names, your spouse has no right to exclude you without a court order. Your lawyer can file an emergency motion for temporary relief, requesting that the court restore your access and order your spouse to stop interfering with shared property.

Taking unilateral action before the court makes a determination can backfire badly for your spouse. Florida family courts value fairness and due process, and judges often respond swiftly to such power plays.

Spying Through Technology

How to Spot It

Modern divorces often involve digital evidence—and some spouses cross serious lines to get it. Hidden GPS trackers, keyloggers, or access to private emails or cloud accounts are becoming increasingly common. These acts are not only unethical but can also be illegal under state and federal privacy laws. If your spouse always seems to “just know” where you are, who you’ve spoken to, or what you’ve done — even when you haven’t shared those details — that’s a red flag. Some other signs that you may be the target of digital spying include:

• Your devices suddenly running hot, slow, or glitchy without explanation; and / or

• Receiving random password reset emails or login attempt notifications you didn’t trigger; and/ or

• Your spouse making odd references to your location or private conversations they couldn’t have known about; and/or

• Finding unfamiliar apps, cables, or devices connected to your phone, computer, or vehicle.

Example Scenario

You notice that your spouse seems to know exactly where you go and who you talk to. Later, you discover a small tracking device hidden under your car seat.

How to Counter It

If you suspect your spouse is electronically spying on you, do not confront them directly. Instead, take immediate, strategic steps to protect yourself:

1. Stop using shared devices; including phones, tablets, computers, and even smart home systems.

2. Consult your attorney right away. They can guide you on next steps and help ensure your response doesn’t compromise your case.

3. Hire a reputable tech or cybersecurity expert to conduct a digital sweep of your devices, accounts, and even your car. They can confirm whether your privacy has been breached and help you secure your information.

4. Preserve evidence carefully. Do not destroy or tamper with the suspected device or data. Your attorney may need it to prove misconduct.

5. Request legal protections. Evidence obtained through illegal surveillance is generally inadmissible in court, and your attorney can file motions to have it excluded from the record.

Digital spying is a form of manipulation, control and coercion that can seriously undermine your sense of safety and trust. Taking swift, informed action protects not only your rights but also your personal security. If you suspect you’re being monitored, contact your attorney and a qualified technology expert before taking any further steps.

Withholding Financial Support

How to Spot It

After separation, one spouse may suddenly stop contributing to shared expenses, refuse to pay household bills, or delay child support payments to create financial pressure. The goal is to force you into an unfair settlement out of desperation.

Example Scenario

Your spouse earns more than you but stops paying the mortgage and health insurance, claiming they can’t afford it now that you’re separated. Meanwhile, they continue dining out and taking vacations.

How to Counter It

Your attorney can request temporary relief from the court, asking that your spouse continue to contribute to bills or pay temporary child support while the case is pending. The court can even order back payments if your spouse has deliberately withheld money to gain leverage.

Financial manipulation is a very common and particularly harmful tactic that some litigants use during a divorce. You deserve stability during the process, and the law provides mechanisms to ensure it.

We’re Here to Help You Protect Your Future

Sneaky divorce tactics are more than just games—they’re attempts to control you, financially or emotionally. The good news is that with a knowledgeable attorney on your side, you can neutralize these strategies and move forward on your own terms.

At Jarbath Peña Law Group, P.A., lead attorney Fritznie Jarbath and her her dedicated team of experienced family law attorneys and paralegals have seen nearly every trick in the book. They have helped countless clients uncover hidden assets, protect their parental rights, and hold dishonest spouses accountable.

If you suspect your spouse is using unfair tactics in your divorce, don’t wait for the situation to spiral out of control. Itʼs important that you get a fair settlement, and the judge needs honesty to make decisions that will impact you for years to come. Call us today at (305) 615-1005 or contact us online to schedule your consultation. With the right legal strategy, you can protect your family, your finances, and your future—and start building the next chapter of your life with confidence.