Divorce can be a time when not only the couple split up, but their finances also do. A malicious appetite for a share in the finances can lead to hiding or non-disclosure of assets and other wealth-related specifics. This vindictive behavior is often witnessed in bitter court dragged divorces. The assets can be bonds, property, jewelry, artwork, antiques, cash, and cash equivalents.
Understanding what to do if you are suspicious of your partner hiding assets can be challenging. Acquiring the help of a Boston Divorce Attorney can help you in legal steps if your partner is hiding assets. Key insights to remember that can help in such a case include:
Collect proof:
The first and crucial step is to collect valid evidence to confirm whether assets are kept aside without your knowledge. Confront your partner regarding unrecognizable purchases, suspicious withdrawals and deposits, unverified bills, and other financial speculations. If suspicions were denied, do the digging for proof. Any receipts, emails, texts, bills, invoices, affidavits, and any paper trial can come in handy. Spouses can request information from their partner’s employers and banks as well. All evidence regarding the speculation must be collected and kept so that it can be used as valid proof in court
Seek legal expertise:
If the evidence collected checks out as credible, hire a legal attorney who can help retrace steps back from the evidence. The use of private investigators (PI’s) and forensic accounting professionals can help find the loopholes in the process. On receiving the hidden assets, you can avail the judicial help with this regard. The attorney can even help represent you in the case of trial. If the spouse suspected of hiding the asset doesn’t provide the needed evidence, you can appeal to the Family Court to help gain access to said evidence which a lawyer can do.
Register for asset protection:
Divorce will lead to the split of marital assets. Still, if a hidden asset is discovered in the process, the suspecting spouse should prove the existence of such investment and file for protection on the property rights for the remote asset. The binding decision of the judge could be forfeiting the rights to the property of the vindictive spouse, blocking bank account(s), halting the transaction if the hidden asset is in the process of being purchased, etc. Keep in mind the evidence presented must be factually compelling to ensure that the ruling is unopposable.
