Rollo is the New Scratch -- the Malicious Smear.

[_rcrocket]

Shades to Scottie:

How did she find out that you got a raise?

If I was in your shoes, I think I'd start claiming every so often that your pay had been cut.

That's terrible. Any way you cut it. Terrible.

[_GoodK]

Being related to someone who teaches ethics at the college level, I find nothing ethically wrong with Shades' comment to Scottie.

[_Dr. Shades]

That's terrible. Any way you cut it. Terrible.

You think it's terrible only because it prevents one of your lawyer buddies from getting his or her cut of Scottie's paycheck.

If someone wants to sue you, is it a good idea to brag to them about how you just inherited a quarter of a million dollars? Why or why not?

[Guest]

Bixa louca is a real POS. He got caught lying. Instead of admitting hit, he drives on to quote something else... Meanwhile, no one with half a brain would voluntarily reveal their private finances to an EX-spouse, and to suggest otherwise is incredibly moronic. I hope Crotchet is giving better advice to his clients than what we're witnessing here. Scary stuff.

[_Yong Xi]

Shades to Scottie:

How did she find out that you got a raise?

If I was in your shoes, I think I'd start claiming every so often that your pay had been cut.

That's terrible. Any way you cut it. Terrible.

The fact is, neither side is completely transparent during divorce. And lawyers don't facilitate transparency, even though they may claim otherwise.

[_Dr. Shades]

The fact is, neither side is completely transparent during divorce. And lawyers don't facilitate transparency, even though they may claim otherwise.

The thing is, we weren't even talking about "during divorce." We were talking about the advisability of disclosing one's private finances to one's ex-spouse after the divorce was finalized.

[_rcrocket]

Your ethics and those of your pals are terrible. Affirmatively telling your ex-spouse that your pay has been cut when, in fact, you have received a raise can lead to terrible consequences in family law, if it is said to induce the ex-spouse to forbear taking an action to protect her rights. Any lawyer advising a client to do such a thing would be disciplined.

And, who are you harming? The mother of your children. You're terrible.

When it comes to family law matters, I tell my clients that they should always tell the truth. The ones who always tell the truth when it comes to income matters are always much better off.

The thing is, we weren't even talking about "during divorce." We were talking about the advisability of disclosing one's private finances to one's ex-spouse after the divorce was finalized.

As long as there are minor children, the support part of a divorce is never "finalized" and every state permits the out-of-money spouse to seek an adjustment if the paying spouse's income changes. The lying that you advocate is typically after the divorce decree is final when the paying spouse feels some sort of justification to lie, but it is illegal, it is unethical, it is immoral, and it hurts the minor children.

If someone wants to sue you, is it a good idea to brag to them about how you just inherited a quarter of a million dollars? Why or why not?

Totally different matter. Not a family law issue where minor children are at stake. But I wouldn't affirmatively lie about it. You're terrible. It wouldn't be so bad I suppose if minor children weren't at stake, but when you gave your advice you knew that they were.

[_skippy the dead]

Meanwhile, no one with half a brain would voluntarily reveal the private finances to an EX-spouse, and to suggest otherwise is incredibly moronic. I hope Crotchet is giving better advice to his clients than what we're witnessing here. Scary stuff.

Fortunately, in most jurisdictions, one does not need to rely on a spouse "voluntarily" revealing financial information. Many (most?) states provide mechanisms for discovery, often on an annual basis, for ex-spouses to ascertain the other party's financial situation (under penalty of perjury, often). And an ethical attorney would not counsel his or her client to lie about finances, with or without the penalty of perjury. rcrocket is correct.

[_skippy the dead]

The fact is, neither side is completely transparent during divorce. And lawyers don't facilitate transparency, even though they may claim otherwise.

The thing is, we weren't even talking about "during divorce." We were talking about the advisability of disclosing one's private finances to one's ex-spouse after the divorce was finalized.

Although the dissolution may be finalized in a proceeding, the matter remains open until both parties' obligations are satisfied, including the payment of child and/or spousal support. The court retains jurisdiction over the matter until then.

edit: rcrocket seems to have covered this much better in his post, which I just saw.

[_Runtu]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the bar require members to report any instances where another member is known to have engaged in unethical or unprofessional behavior? If skippy has done something like that, wouldn't it be rcrocket's responsibility to report her?