Money sometimes makes noise when it leaves in a hurry. A phone vibrates. A balance refreshes. The number drops harder than expected. When a joint account is emptied the day before divorce papers are filed, shock mixes with disbelief. The timing feels intentional, even tactical. Now, if you're wondering how banks respond, they do so with steady voices and policy language, explaining that an authorized signer moving funds does not qualify as fraud. That answer lands like a door slamming shut. Still, the story does not end at the teller window. The path forward runs through family law, timing, and documentation. Knowing how those forces work together can change the outcome. Stay sharp, because hesitation costs more than pride here.