Unfortunately, you may discover during the course of your divorce that your spouse is not the person you thought he was when you married him. He may seem like a completely different person and may be taking the unimaginable action of hiding assets so that he receives more than you do in your property settlement. If you are worried about this, you can take your own actions to discover hidden money and assets so that you receive what you are entitled to in your divorce.
How to Find Assets That Your Spouse Is Hiding
Your first step if you suspect that your spouse is hiding money and assets is to hire an experienced divorce attorney who can help you to find this property and take steps to protect your rights to it and other assets. Obtaining certain documents is key to locating hidden assets. Here are documents that may help you discover hidden financial accounts and property:
- Income tax returns. While your spouse may not be afraid to lie to you, he could be more fearful if he is untruthful to IRS in his income tax return. Obtaining a copy of recent years’ income tax returns and comparing them can help you locate assets that you did not know about.
- Bank account statements. Checking and savings account statements can show a wealth of information regarding your spouse’s income, expenses, and unusual deposits or withdrawals. You may discover that money was used to purchase expensive real estate or other assets in his name only.
- Loan applications. If your spouse applied for a loan, such as business loan or mortgage, he would have needed to disclose his income and assets to qualify. You want to review these applications and supporting documents carefully to uncover hidden assets.
- Credit card statements. Credit card statements can show you what your spouse is spending his money on, which could include a person he sees in secret or assets that you do not know about. An overpayment of the account could result in him having an available asset that should be split with you.
- Business records. If your spouse is an independent contractor or owns a business, he could be hiding assets or income from you or paying fraudulent loans that will secretly be repaid to him through his business. You may need to hire a financial expert to review business records to uncover this information.
- Public records. By searching public records, you may be able to discover real estate, vehicles, and recreational vehicles that your spouse purchased behind your back.
If you suspect your spouse is hiding assets, our trusted divorce attorneys are here to help you protect your interests. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.
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