Orange County Hidden Assets Lawyers Uncovering Undisclosed Funds And More
In the state of California, there are very strict laws when it comes to property division during a divorce. This is a community property state, meaning the courts will divide all marital assets equally among the former spouses. Anything that was owned by either spouse prior to the marriage, including inheritance, will stay as their individual property.
For the courts to distribute the property fairly, they must be aware of all the assets that were acquired during the union. In some situations, one spouse may try to hide their assets. This where an attorney can help.
At Sarieh Law Offices, we have handled many cases involving hidden assets. Here are some questions we commonly receive:
*What are the signs that your spouse is hiding assets?
*How can assets be hidden?
*Why would someone want to hide their assets during a divorce?
*How can divorce attorneys find hidden assets?
What Are The Signs That Your Former Spouse Is Hiding Assets?
If you are suspicious that your former spouse is hiding assets, here are some signs you can watch out for:
- Secretive with their bank info – If your former spouse is demanding that they have full control of any bank account information and passwords, this is a major issue, especially if joint bank accounts are involved.
- Being aggressive – If your former spouse is aggressively pushing you into signing documents, this is a major red flag. It is advised to always have an attorney review any important documents.
- Binging – Is your former spouse spending tons of money on clothes or jewelry? This is a major red flag, especially if this behavior is new.
- New bank accounts – If your former spouse is opening new bank accounts, this is a major red sign that they are hiding funds.
How Can Assets Be Hidden?
Some of the most common ways that a former spouse can hide assets include:
- Buying things that have potential to be undervalued
- Using a deposit box to hide assets
- Paying the IRS too much to collect in a post-divorce refund
- Using friends and family to create fake debts
- Deferring paychecks or work bonuses for after the divorce
- Creating bank accounts in the children’s’ names
- Falsely reporting their income
Why Would Someone Want To Hide Their Assets During A Divorce?
During a divorce, your former spouse may want to conceal their assets in an effort to hide how much money they really have. This is in an effort to look out solely for their best interest and to lower the amount of money that you are entitled to during the divorce.
How Can Divorce Attorneys Find Hidden Assets?
One of the most common ways that divorce lawyers can uncover these hidden assets is to work with a team of forensic accountants. They can help determine if the assets are community property or if they fall into other categories. They will thoroughly investigate and trace the location and determine the value of any hidden assets.
Speak With A Hidden Assets Law Firm In Orange County, CA
If you suspect that your ex is hiding assets, it is vital to speak with a top-rated divorce attorney at once. At Sarieh Law Offices, we offer expert legal services and know what it takes to discover hidden assets and fight for your rights to any community property. To learn more about your legal options, contact our office by calling 714-694-7723.