How to Discover Hidden Assets in Divorce With Financial Investigations

It’s no secret that getting divorced can be a major headache. Court dates, paperwork, and endless hoops make it easy to leave money on the table. Unfortunately, hidden assets aren’t uncommon in divorce situations. Some spouses hide money so they won’t have to share it with their ex. Luckily, there are techniques to uncover any assets your spouse might be hiding.

WHERE TO BEGIN UNCOVERING HIDDEN ASSETS

One of the easiest, most obvious ways to start your investigation is to simply ask your spouse for all their financial records. An unwilling spouse can complicate this. If your spouse refuses to provide financial documentation, treat that as a red flag.

An uncooperative spouse means you’ll likely need help from a financial investigation professional, such as Able Forensics. Able Forensics has resources to help you find hidden money—resources the average citizen won’t have access to.

How Able Forensics Helps Discover Hidden Assets During Divorce

Once you’ve asked your spouse for financial documents without success, it’s time to call Able Forensics. We’ll guide you through a discovery process to help you find the assets that are rightfully yours.

There are numerous methods for obtaining financial information. Able Forensics might use several techniques during a financial investigation:

• Reviewing tax returns. Some spouses hide assets like real estate. You can often uncover these by reviewing tax returns, though this only shows assets reported to the state or federal government. Most property records, however, are free for the public to view. Knowing where to look is half the battle, and Able Forensics leaves no stone unturned.
• Reviewing browser history. This might seem obvious, but browser history can reveal a new bank account or investment brokerage account name.
• Checking social media. Social media can tip you off to new business ventures. For example, an overzealous spouse might announce a new business launch on LinkedIn but never mention it at home. Or a spouse might claim they’re short on funds while Facebook photos show them vacationing in the tropics.

The Consequences of Hiding Assets

If you’re on the other side of this and thinking about hiding assets, think twice. You might get away with it, but getting caught can cause serious trouble. A judge may order you to pay more support than you originally owed, simply as a penalty for hiding money. In some states, you can even face arrest for serious attempts to hide assets.

Your best move is honesty—with your spouse and about your earnings.

Contact Able Legal Investigations for Asset Searches in Divorce and More

If you need help uncovering hidden assets during your divorce, Able Legal Investigations can assist with your investigation. Contact us today at 858-353-6038.