If you are half of a divorcing Massachusetts high-asset couple, you should alert yourself to the possibility that your spouse may be hiding marital assets from you. Unfortunately, many vindictive and/or greedy spouses attempt to hide assets during a divorce so as to make them unavailable for property settlement purposes.
As the Huffington Post reports, such activity represents a type of financial fraud. But you cannot prove financial fraud unless and until you find the hidden assets. You may need to add a forensic accountant to your legal team in order to do this.
Red flags
Very few people can hide assets without giving away what they are doing by their words and actions. Consequently, stay alert for the following:
- Does your spouse no longer confide in you?
- Does (s)he no longer get his or her snail mail at home, but instead at a different address?
- Conversely, does (s)he get snail mail from businesses and/or people whose names you have never seen before?
- Does (s)he get calls on his or her cellphone where (s)he speaks in a low voice or in an abrupt or cryptic manner?
- Do you suspect that (s)he has a paramour?
Accomplices
Most asset-hiding spouses likewise need help to hide assets. Many rely on extended family members such as siblings, parents, cousins, etc. Others rely on a close family friend or one of their business associates or employees. Still, others rely on their paramour.
If you suspect that your spouse is hiding marital assets, be sure to discuss your suspicions and your reasons for them with your attorney. Together you can decide whether or not you need to hire a forensic accountant.
This is general educational information and not intended to provide legal advice.