Understanding and Combating Financial Abuse in Divorce with Lisa Zeiderman | Episode 171

Understanding Financial Abuse in Divorce In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Ryan Kalamaya speaks with Lisa Zeiderman, a New York matrimonial attorney and expert on financial abuse. Lisa shares how financial abuse often shows up in marriage and divorce, why it is fundamentally about control, and what victims can do to protect themselves. The conversation explores the warning signs of financial abuse, the difference between a spouse who simply chooses not to engage in finances versus one who is being intentionally excluded, and the steps attorneys and financial professionals can take to uncover hidden information during divorce.Lisa explains that financial abuse is not always obvious. It can involve denying a spouse access to money, credit cards, bank statements, tax returns, or even their own income. It can also include putting someone on an allowance, controlling passwords, redirecting financial documents, or making them feel powerless and dependent.Guest Information Lisa Zeiderman is the Managing Partner of Miller Zeiderman LLP in New York. She handles complex financial and custody matters for high-net-worth individuals and is also active in financial literacy advocacy through the nonprofit Savvy Ladies.Episode HighlightsWhat Financial Abuse Really Means Lisa defines financial abuse as a form of control, where one partner restricts the other’s access to money, financial information, or decision-making power.Common Warning Signs Ryan and Lisa discuss signs like hidden tax returns, changed passwords, missing statements, lack of access to credit or debit cards, and being forced to ask for money for everyday expenses.Why It Can Happen to Anyone Lisa explains that financial abuse is not limited to non-working spouses. Even breadwinners can be financially abused if their earnings are taken and controlled by someone else.The Role of Discovery in Divorce Lisa explains how attorneys use financial discovery tools in divorce cases to uncover the truth, including tax returns, bank records, credit card statements, business documents, and depositions.Why Transparency Matters From both the victim’s side and the accused spouse’s side, the episode emphasizes that full and early financial disclosure can reduce costs, avoid suspicion, and keep a case from escalating.What is Divorce at Altitude? Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado. To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at [email protected].************************************************************************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.