My husband refuses to give me my stimulus check. He says I don’t deserve it because I didn’t win it. What can I do?

Dear frustrated,

This problem is much more important than your $ 1,200 stimulus check.

This is a case of financial exploitation in a manual. In fact, here is a direct quote from the United States Department of Health and the Office of Women’s Health Social Services. United States: “Financial abuse occurs when an attacker takes control of the finances to keep the other person from leaving and to maintain power in a relationship. An attacker can take control of all money, withhold it, and withhold financial information from the victim. “You are inside, so you will not be able to see it for what it is.

You have no legal right to keep your money. I don’t see any compassion, trust or respect in their actions, just some of the hallmarks of a romantic relationship. Financial exploitation is a form of domestic violence. Not all scars are visible, many are psychological and have the same insidious effect: controlling and submitting to another person. You need a plan, you don’t see the bars in your window. After the end of this pandemic, here is the good news: you can cross it if you wish.

I received my $ 1,200 stimulus check from my ex-husband because we filed joint taxes in 2018. Should I give him the money or return it to the IRS?

If you have filed a joint return, you share the reimbursement. “Even if your husband earns more money, there is a tax benefit in claiming two deductions, one for each spouse, on the returns,” she said. David Waltzer

, a lawyer based in New York. “It increases the reimbursement. So, without you, there would certainly be less reimbursement. In addition, if there were a tax obligation, the money owed to the IRS would be in danger. Therefore, it is outrageous for a spouse to share responsibility for the tax debt, but not to share the reimbursement.

“It may be helpful to consider the principles of equitable distribution that apply to divorced couples,” said Waltzer. “The premise is that if one spouse earns more, the other spouse is entitled to a share of the value of those earnings. Because? Because the low-income spouse is expected to contribute in different ways, perhaps household management, laundry, food, shopping, etc. This contribution (sweat equity) supports and frees the winning spouse to earn money. “

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These principles apply not only to his stimulation test, but Waltzer says that there is an even stronger argument for the equitable distribution of stimulation tests. “They’re supposed to cost $ 1,200 per person, for example. So if a check for $ 2,400 goes to a spouse’s account, $ 1,200 of that amount belongs to the other spouse. Finally, even if none of the above convinces your husband, tell him to be a mensch and not a grumpy man and to stop bothering him, just for pure decency and love.

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This is the legal advice on your case, with some free dating advice included. You are in a difficult position during this block. You can call your husband’s bank, but if the account is in your name, it will be difficult, if not almost impossible, to convince a bank to transfer this money to your account. The Internal Revenue Service sends millions of stimulus payments to people, so I would be very surprised if they could send you another one separately.

Your best course of action so far: take note of all of these events with dates and other details, and use them to motivate you to act when the economy recovers. You can also use this time to consult with a family lawyer in your area to explore your options. Are you happy in your marriage? Is your husband’s refusal to give you his stimulus check a kind of aberration? You are the best to answer it. Otherwise, not only are you entitled to this $ 1,200 stimulus payment, but you are also entitled to be happy. But only you can do it.

You can send an email to The Moneyist for all financial and ethical questions related to the coronavirus at qfottrell@marketwatch.com

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