You're Certain Your Ex Is Hiding Assets During Divorce, But What Can You Do?

After issues involving child custody and financial support, control of assets is one of the biggest issues that often drives disputes during divorce. In extreme cases, someone may try to hide assets during the divorce process. What do you do, though, if you're certain this is the case?

Retain Counsel

It's wise to retain divorce law services regardless of whether there are any disputes over assets, so it's not a big deal to retain counsel. A divorce law attorney can help you assess what the situation is and whether there's a credible basis for bringing the problem to a judge's attention.

Document the Claim

One of the toughest parts of an asset dispute during a divorce is providing documentary evidence that something is hidden. 

If you have access to any of the paperwork tied to the assets, you'll want to make copies of those. You should also keep tabs on any receipts that might show that your ex transferred the assets. Similarly, photos, social media posts, texts, and other items may build a trail of evidence.

Suppose your ex sold their car to a sibling at a conveniently low price in an attempt to shield it from the divorce. You might take pictures of your ex still driving it to poke holes in the claim that it really is no longer theirs.

Make the Other Party Aware

Making the other side aware through counsel that you know something is worth a try. Your counsel can send notes to the other divorce law attorney asking for information about the assets. Some people don't have the stomach for deception. Likewise, it may very well have been an honest mistake or a weak attempt at hiding things. Also, they might have a legitimate claim to the assets as pre-marital property.

A major advantage of doing this through a divorce law services provider is that it produces a paper trail. If your ex denies the claim and you later prove they were unlawfully hidden from the divorce process, a judge isn't going to be happy with something that might amount to fraud.

Push the Claim

If your ex hasn't presented a reasonable defense of their conduct by this point, it's time to press the matter before a court. Fortunately, you won't have to sue because your divorce already counts as an active lawsuit. After making a good-faith effort to iron any misunderstandings out, you can exercise your right to have a judge review your concerns.

To learn more, contact a divorce law attorney.

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