What Happens if Your Spouse is Hiding Assets During Your Divorce?

Some people put off filing for divorce because they’re afraid it will cost too much. They think that it’s better to try to work things out with their spouse rather than spend thousands of dollars on an Albany divorce attorney.

However, what you may not realize is that your spouse may have decided months ago that they want to get divorced. They may have also started moving assets around so that you can’t get your hands on them. Knowing that your marital assets are going to be divided in half, your spouse may panic and hide money, bank accounts, and assets.

Here, we will discuss the various ways in which your spouse may try to hide assets. We’ll also explain what our divorce lawyers in Georgia will do to uncover these assets. Our goal is to make sure you are given your share of the marital assets.

We will also help you protect any assets you brought into the divorce. We will explain how we will do this for you here. If you still have questions about your own divorce, contact our office today.

You Will Have to List Your Debts and Assets on Your Case Information Statement

When you file your complaint for divorce, you will need to submit your case information statement. This is a document where you have to list your debts and assets. You will also have to list your income and any properties you own.

When you sign this form and file it with the court, you are confirming that everything you submitted was true and accurate. If your Albany divorce attorney can prove that your spouse lied about their debts and assets, they will bring it up to the court. However, they will not do this unless there is clear proof. The last thing you want to do is alienate the judge with frivolous accusations.

Your Albany Divorce Attorney Will Thoroughly Review Your Spouse’s Assets

When your divorce lawyer in Georgia receives a copy of your spouse’s case information statement, they will pay particular attention to the marital assets disclosed on that form. If they don’t match up with yours, there will be a problem. If you’re interested in learning more about if you really have to live apart before you file for divorce, view this page.

It will also be interesting to see if your spouse lists assets that you didn’t know existed. This will give your attorney a good indication of how the divorce will play out. If your spouse is willing to lie on their first pleadings to the court, they will certainly be willing to lie throughout the divorce.

Assets Accumulated or Acquired During the Marriage Will Be Divided

People tend to think that community-property states are completely different from other states. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter where you live. If you get divorced, you will be entitled to 50% of all marital assets. So will your spouse.

You will divide all marital debts and assets in half. It’s just important to remember that you are only entitled to split assets that were acquired or accumulated during the marriage. If your spouse owned property before you got married, you aren’t entitled to half of that. The same is true for any assets you brought into the marriage.

Dividing Marital Assets - Divorce Lawyer

The marital assets that are typically subject to equitable distribution in a high-end divorce include the following:

  • Pension plans
  • 401K
  • Stock, bonds, and other investments
  • Expensive jewelry, art, and electronics
  • Royalties
  • Offshore accounts
  • Executive bonuses
  • Deferred compensation
  • Trusts
  • Inheritance
  • Gifts

This may seem like a big list. However, this doesn’t begin to describe all the potential assets your divorce lawyer in Georgia may need to search for.

Your Divorce Lawyer in Georgia Can Hire a Private Investigator

If your divorce lawyer in Georgia believes your spouse is hiding marital assets, they will hire a private investigator. The investigator will use all available tools and resources to uncover and disclose whatever assets your soon-to-be ex-spouse is hiding.

Once they are located, your Albany divorce lawyer will hire a forensic accountant to determine the exact value of these assets. They will then file a motion with the court to make sure these assets are included for purposes of equitable distribution.

Once these assets are uncovered, your Albany divorce lawyer will fight to make sure you get your fair share. Your spouse’s attorney will try to claim that you aren’t entitled to a share in these assets. However, your divorce lawyer in Georgia will make sure that the courts apply the law properly.

Your Albany Divorce Lawyer Will Make Sure You Get Your Fair Share of the Marital Assets

If you’re like a lot of our clients, one of your biggest concerns is that your spouse is hiding assets. It would be nice to think that people don’t do this. However, when it comes to divorce, people do things they otherwise would not do.

Knowing that a high-end divorce can cost thousands of dollars, some people try to hedge their bets. They lie about their marital assets in their case information statement. Or they move money around, sometimes to offshore accounts, hoping that your Albany divorce lawyer won’t uncover it.

The good news is that our divorce lawyers in Georgia have decades of combined experience. If your spouse is hiding or moving marital assets, we will find it. Our goal is to make sure that you walk away from your divorce with your fair share of the assets. This includes the various assets discussed here.

It also includes tangible assets like boats, cars, and rental properties. If you have a feeling that your spouse has been shifting marital assets for months knowing that they were going to file for divorce, let us know. We’ll hire the necessary people and find the right tools to uncover whatever it is your spouse is hiding.

We suggest that you call our office as soon as you decide you’re ready to file for divorce. You can trust that your Albany divorce lawyer will negotiate fair terms for your marital settlement agreement. All you have to do is call and schedule your initial appointment with one of our associates.

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