The act of withdrawing funds from a bank account prior to the legal dissolution of a marriage is a complex issue with potential legal repercussions. Such actions are often viewed with suspicion by the courts, particularly if those funds are not properly accounted for or are perceived as being concealed from the other party.
Assets accumulated during a marriage are generally considered marital property, subject to equitable distribution (or community property division, depending on the jurisdiction) in a divorce proceeding. Attempting to reduce the marital estate by removing funds could be detrimental. Courts seek to ensure a fair division of property and may scrutinize financial transactions leading up to the divorce filing.