The Impact of Gambling Addiction on Asset Division During Divorce

Property Division

Sep 29, 2025 | Content

Gambling addiction is a compulsion that can destroy marriages and lives. The financial burdens are enormous, and gambling addiction can impact asset division during a divorce.

If you are married to a compulsive gambler, contact our family law attorneys at Atlanta Divorce Law Group. Our team can develop a strategy to ensure you leave your marriage in a financially sound position.

Division of Assets Must Be Fair

Many states use the equitable distribution method to divide marital assets. Under equitable distribution, property division must be fair but does not have to be equal. In community property states, equal division of assets is the norm, but you can ask for an adjustment if your ex-spouse wasted marital assets through gambling.

If your ex is responsible for losing a significant portion of your marital wealth, you can inform the Georgia court. Family court judges usually consider the dissipation of marital assets when making decisions about property division.

Who Pays the Debts?

Marital debts are usually the responsibility of both spouses. Typically, debts are also split in a divorce.

However, when one spouse has a gambling addiction, they may be responsible for much of the couple’s debt during a divorce. It can be unfair to make the non-gambling spouse pay for the other’s compulsion. A family court judge may be sympathetic to this argument and allocate most of the debt to the gambling spouse.

However, you should discuss all of the possible implications with your divorce attorney. There is a possibility that your ex’s inability to pay off their gambling debts will affect your credit score. Sometimes it makes more sense to assume a larger portion of the debt to protect your good credit.

Compulsive Gambling Might Impact Alimony

If you have been financially dependent on your ex-spouse, you may be entitled to alimony. However, if your ex is a compulsive gambler and financially irresponsible, you might not receive alimony payments as ordered. Taking your alimony in a lump sum might be a better arrangement. Speak with your attorney about whether this is possible and advisable in your circumstances.

If you are the one paying alimony and your ex has a gambling problem, speak with your divorce lawyer about it. There may be ways to structure the payments so that your former spouse has a degree of financial stability but cannot use your funds to gamble. You can also argue that the family court judge should not grant alimony because your ex wasted assets by gambling during the marriage.

Speak With a Divorce Attorney About Compulsive Gambling and Asset Division

You cannot change a gambling addict—you can only protect yourself and your children. Your ex’s gambling addiction can have an impact on asset division during your divorce, but you must be aggressive to ensure you get what you need. Our family law attorneys at Atlanta Divorce Law Group can help you regain financial security. Contact our firm today to learn more.

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The Impact of Gambling Addiction on Asset Division During Divorce

Division of Assets Must Be Fair

Who Pays the Debts?

Compulsive Gambling Might Impact Alimony

Speak With a Divorce Attorney About Compulsive Gambling and Asset Division

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