[Related link, SEE:  PART 5 – March 2026]

Taxes, Joint Bank Accounts, and Character Assassination

April began with the first communication between Cassie¹ and myself in seven weeks. It was a civil discussion about filing our Federal taxes, and it was a positive step. Unfortunately, it would be a case of me giving and Cassie taking. She would thank me by draining our joint bank accounts, followed by her attorney’s off-the-record character assassination of me in an email to my attorney.

Nevada Bar Says No,….But

In March, I filed a complaint with the State Bar of Nevada regarding Cassie’s attorney’s statement that I could not return to our marital home. In early April, they responded:

After researching your information, we determined that your grievance involves allegations which should be addressed in an appropriate judicial setting. That is the more appropriate venue to consider this matter.

If the court makes written findings of attorney misconduct, then please re-submit the court’s findings for our reconsideration.

State Bar of Nevada – 3 April 2026

They declined to pursue the matter, but they told me it was a matter to be determined in Court. It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it wasn’t a flat “No.”

Taxes, the $6,000 Gift

Prior to Cassie retaining an attorney, we had discussed filing our Federal taxes. That was one of my jobs in our marriage. Even though we were going through a divorce, she preferred that we file jointly, rather than filing separately.

However, after she retained an attorney, I ended all direct contact, and as the April deadline approached, it became clear that I would have to file separately, as I had no access to her income statements.

In late March, I made a mistake while attempting to change the address for my personal bank accounts. My mistake changed the address of our joint accounts, so I contacted Cassie to inform her of my mistake. She was already aware of the issue and had corrected it.

As part of that communication, I mentioned that I was preparing to file my Federal taxes, and I assumed she would be filing on her own. She responded that she would prefer we still file jointly. I ran the numbers for both and discovered why.

My Social Security income was non-taxable, so while I wouldn’t be getting a refund, I wouldn’t be paying any taxes if I filed separately. Cassie, however, needed my Standard Deduction because she would be paying over $7,400, filing separately. Filing jointly, she would owe about $1,550 because my Standard Deduction helped to cover a deficit of withheld taxes on her income.

I could have been difficult and filed separately. After all, she and her attorney were playing dirty. Still, I felt that it would be inappropriate for me to take advantage of the situation.

Cassie’s Thank You

Sometime before early April, Cassie stopped the direct deposit of her paycheck to our joint bank account. I had not been using the account, even though she and her attorney stranded me in North Carolina in February. Again, my understanding of the law is that this type of financial change should have been made with the Court’s approval. Cassie did not inform the Court, nor me.

Her Attorney’s Email to My Attorney

In April, her attorney sent an email to my attorney. The topic of the email was regarding a legal filing my attorney made; however, her attorney continued with an “Off the record” description of my character.

Off the record: I’m sure Paul mentioned to you that I’ve known all these people for 35 years.  That’s true. I figured that would’ve given you a good indication to call me and get info. before you get stuck with anyone who might not be honest, cooperative, financially compliant in paying you, and/or realistic in their litigation goals. If you ever have questions about a PNC and a hunch I might know something, please always feel free to call.  I know I always want the head’s up!  

Paul has a penchant for alternating between self-aggrandizing and self-pitying storytelling – neither of which have any basis in reality. Paul also has a way of leaving out critical facts which invariably change everything (your advice, claims, strategy), and you’ll only find out about everything after the fact. That is never fun to experience in open court. Example: did Paul mention to you that he wants support and legal fees because he claims to have nothing, and yet he just spent approx. 3 months traveling around the world for fun? Did Paul mention he did that, all without a) contributing to the community’s bills, and b) any apparent concern for his claimed lack of funds? I’m guessing Paul may have left out that part of his story, or if he told you anything about his recent travels, his recounting of the story was nothing near the reality of the time and money he unilaterally chose to waste – and right before he cries poverty in the divorce litigation which he initiated according to his own timeline and terms.  

It is absolutely your prerogative to ignore everything I’m saying.  Like I said, I wouldn’t want to get blindsided in open court with no answers because it turns out my client is full of it.  Plus, I don’t want someone I like (you) to get suckered into a case without first receiving a friendly head’s up to be wary of someone who might make life a bit more difficult than his case is worth.  

Email from her Attorney to my Attorney – 17 April 2026

I did know her attorney when she was in middle school, but we’ve had no contact for over 25 years. Her “knowledge” of me was fictional. Our “Very Good” to “Excellent” credit rating contradicts her lie about my/our financial accountability, and her accusations of me lying were an attempt to give credit to the narrative she was trying to sell. She also continued her attempt to paint my three-week trip to Europe and my trip to scout jobs and housing as one lavish travel-the-world extravaganza.

This was a blatant attempt to discredit me in my attorney’s eyes, create doubt, and distrust what I said. Her goal was to discourage my attorney’s commitment to representing me.

Whether or not her attorney’s character assassination was successful, it would taint everything my attorney did, or did not do, to present my case to the court.

¹Some names have been changed.

 

NEXT: Divorce Without Mercy Part 7 – May 2026

[NOTE:  This is a series focusing on my experiences during a divorce with a difficult person and her attorney. I am not a licensed psychologist nor an attorney. If you are dealing with a divorce situation, you should consult an attorney for legal advice and seriously consider seeking mental health support from a licensed counselor to deal with the trauma.]