Divorces can bring out some of the worst in people you thought you would never see. It could shatter your trust in your partner and leave you to wonder what else they could be hiding. Continue reading to discover how to find spouse hidden assets and the crucial documents you need to collect to uncover their secret wealth during a divorce.
Examples of Suspicious Behaviors or Activities to Watch Out For
When you are in the middle of a divorce, everything can feel so overwhelming. When it comes to finding hidden assets, it is essential to be aware of how your spouse behaves. A few suspicious behaviors or activities you should watch out for include regular cash withdrawals, opening new bank accounts, and transferring money between accounts.
You should be especially wary if your partner is being vague about their income sources or hiding the nature of their occupation. If your spouse is suddenly making large purchases or investments without consulting you, it could be a sign that they are trying to liquidate assets without your knowledge.
Additionally, if you find that your partner has been controlling all the finances in your relationship, it could mean they are trying to hide assets from you. While these behaviors may not necessarily indicate hidden assets, they are vital warning signs to remember.
How to Find Spouse Hidden Assets?
One of the best ways to uncover hidden assets is by hiring a private investigator. They can use their expertise to conduct surveillance and gather evidence to identify hidden assets. A private investigator can also check your spouse’s financial records, look into property records, scrutinize tax returns, track down the recipient of significant cash withdrawals, or even analyze your spouse’s social media and online presence to find potential hidden assets.
Checklist of Essential Documents to Collect
When looking for hidden assets, collecting all the necessary documents can be your most critical tool. Financial records like:
- Bank Statements: By closely examining your partner’s checking and savings accounts, you can unveil important details regarding their income, expenses, and abnormal deposits and withdrawals.
- Credit Card Statements: Another great source of personal information, credit card statements can furnish you with details like overpayment on a hidden account, secretive transactions, and money spent on individuals your partner may be seeing on the side without your knowledge.
- Tax Returns: Although your partner may lie to you regarding their financial dealings, chances are they would tell the truth on their tax returns. Comparing tax returns from recent years can be critical in exposing any discrepancies or inconsistencies.
- Loan Applications/Renewals: Obtaining documentation related to any business loans and mortgages your partner may have applied for can be a game-changer. Since the individual would have had to disclose their income and assets when applying for such loans, you can easily use these documents to uncover any hidden financial dealings or assets.
Before reaching out to a legal expert or attorney for counsel, gather all these relevant documents and ensure that they correlate to your partner’s financial activity. This can help your legal counsel advise you more accurately and provide information that can ultimately affect your settlement.
Check Public Records
While it may seem daunting, utilizing public records can be invaluable in uncovering any hidden wealth or assets. From property deeds to tax filings, there are a variety of public records that can provide insight into an individual’s financial situation. With a little effort, you can uncover potentially hidden accounts, stocks, and other assets that your spouse may have tried to keep hidden.
Public records are not just a valuable tool for individuals going through a divorce or separation; they can also be a valuable resource for lawyers, investigators, and anyone looking to understand an individual’s financial history better. In short, uncovering hidden assets can be time-consuming, but the information you find can yield significant benefits in the long run. By starting with public records and proceeding appropriately, you can take the first step toward discovering your spouse’s hidden wealth or assets.
Conclusion
Divorce proceedings can be stressful, even more so when one party is uncooperative in disclosing their finances. However, by keeping an eye on suspicious behaviors and activities, working with a forensic accountant in a divorce or private investigator, engaging with your attorney, and gathering all the documentation essential to your spouse’s financial activity, you can identify hidden assets.
If you or someone you know needs additional help on how to find a spouse’s hidden assets, reach out to Forensic Accounting Corp today. Our team of dedicated experts has the equipment and know how to make sure everything is accounted for, do not hesitate to reach out today!
