One of the more complex parts of a divorce is dividing marital assets. For some, the process is made more complicated if one spouse tries to hide assets from the other so as not to share them after the divorce. If you think your former spouse is making an attempt to hide assets, you should check the following.
Bank Statements
One of the first things you should do is to look at all of your bank statements. Some things to check for include bill payments to accounts you have no knowledge of, ATM withdrawals that you did not make and were not aware of, or transfers into accounts you are not listed on. If you are not able to substantiate any odd transactions, this is a case for further review.
Credit Card Statements
If you are able to gain access to credit card statements, there are some things you can check for that may indicate suspicious transactions by your spouse. You may notice transactions that pay on different financial accounts or transfers from the credit card balance to a different account that you are not familiar with. You should also check with the credit card company to see the sources of payments for the bills. You may be able to uncover additional accounts that may hold money you are entitled to.
Taxes
Another area to check are your tax returns. As you review the documents, look for any sources of income that you did not know about, investments that you were unaware of, or any other financial accounts that you do not share with your spouse. Your accountant and attorney can help you identify any potential assets you may be entitled to.
Other Financial Records
Once you divorce, your former spouse is likely not going to willingly hand over the information you need to gather evidence of hidden assets. Your attorney, however, can work to get access to the information through the process of discovery. This is a formal legal request for any given piece of information. You can gain access to the information from your spouse, but you can also make this request directly with third parties such as credit card companies, employers, banks, and the like.
If you were never part of dealing with your marital finances, you should rely heavily on the help of your attorney during this process. You may also need to work with a forensic accountant to help uncover any assets to which you may be entitled.
For more information about divorce and finances, contact a local firm that practices family law.
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