Imagine your spouse has been acting strange and shifty the last several months while complaining about not having enough money to pay the bills. Then, your spouse surprises you by filing for divorce. As devastated as you were by the news, you have accepted it as the only way to resolve your marital differences.
However, during your divorce proceedings, you get another surprise: The bank accounts and financial accounts that you thought contained your retirement savings are nearly empty. Your spouse is blaming it on poor stock market conditions, but you suspect foul play. Is your spouse hiding assets from you during your divorce proceedings?
Here are two strategies you can employ to try and find your hidden marital assets.
Take care to review your spouse’s disclosures
Your spouse will be subject to voluntary and involuntary disclosures. Voluntary disclosures require your spouse to provide all information pertaining to assets, income and debt. The involuntary disclosures could involve you asking for specific information and specific answers. Later, you and your divorce attorney can question your spouse in a formal deposition to pinpoint where he or she might not be telling the truth.
Hire a forensic accountant
A forensic accountant knows exactly what to look for while uncovering hidden money. These professionals are often used to track down and uncover sophisticated money laundering operations run by the mafia. If your spouse is hiding money, a forensic accountant has the best chances of finding it.
If you have any suspicion that your spouse is being less than honest about marital assets during your divorce, don’t leave any stones unturned until you’re certain you’ve tracked down all the money that’s part of your marital estate. Your future financial security could depend on it.