Uncovering the Truth: What to Do If Your Ex Isn’t Being Honest About Money During Separation

By OneLegal Professional Corporation

Separation is hard—but it gets even harder when you don’t know what your ex is hiding. If you suspect your former spouse isn’t being upfront about their income or assets, you’re not alone. Many people going through separation in Ontario find themselves wondering, “What if they’re not disclosing everything?”

At OneLegal Professional Corporation, we specialize in both family law and business law, which gives us a unique advantage when financial complexity is involved. Whether your ex owns a business, holds hidden investments, or simply isn’t handing over the right documents, we can help you uncover the truth and protect your financial future.

Why Financial Disclosure Matters in Divorce

Full financial disclosure isn’t optional—it’s the law. When separating or divorcing in Ontario, both parties are legally obligated to provide complete and honest information about their finances. That means:

• Income and employment information

• Bank accounts and investments

• Property ownership (real estate, vehicles, etc.)

• Business interests and assets

• Debts and liabilities

Without full disclosure, you can’t fairly divide property or determine support payments. That’s why Ontario’s Family Law Act and the Divorce Act require parties to be transparent from the start.

What Happens If Your Ex Isn’t Honest?

Failing to disclose financial details isn’t just unethical—it’s legally dangerous. If your ex tries to hide income, downplay assets, or mislead the court, the consequences are serious. The courts can:

• Set aside your separation agreement

• Impute income (pretend your ex earns more than they claim)

• Penalize your ex with court costs

• Draw adverse inferences (assume they’re hiding something)

In one Ontario case, Gonzalez v. Ross, the court allowed a motion to compel more financial information because the disclosure was incomplete. In another, Horrocks v. McConville, the court allowed consequences for failing to disclose key documents.

What You Can Do: Legal Tools to Get the Truth

If your ex refuses to play fair, you don’t have to sit back and accept it. Ontario’s Family Law Rules give you powerful tools to force transparency. You can:

✅ File a motion to compel financial disclosure
✅ Question your ex under oath about their finances
✅ Request documents from banks or employers
✅ Ask the court to strike their pleadings or delay proceedings
✅ Seek an adverse inference if they won’t comply

At OneLegal, we’ve helped countless clients take these steps—and win. Because we also understand business law, we can dig deeper into business structures, shareholder agreements, and hidden income streams your ex may not want you to see.

Why Choose OneLegal?

We’re not just family lawyers. We’re your strategic partners in complex separations involving entrepreneurs, high-income earners, and business owners.

• We speak the language of both family and business law.

• We know where to look for hidden money.

• We understand the tactics used to avoid disclosure—and how to stop them.

Whether your separation involves a small business, a family corporation, or simply a lot of financial unknowns, we know how to fight for your fair share—and win.

Need Help Navigating a Complex Separation?

You deserve to know the truth. At OneLegal Professional Corporation, we help clients protect their financial interests during separation—especially when the other party isn’t playing fair.

📞 Book your confidential consultation today to learn how we can help you uncover the facts, secure your future, and move forward with confidence.