The distribution of marital assets can be a heated point of contention in a divorce, driving some couples to the point of hostility. If your spouse is willing to take extreme and malicious measures, they might even attempt to hide assets from you and the court.
During the division of marital property in a divorce, the court facilitates equitable distribution between spouses. It is important to recognize the signs that your spouse might be hiding assets so you can secure your fair share of the property.
What are the signs that your spouse is hiding assets?
While divorce can weigh heavily on anyone’s mind and affect their behavior, some new habits exhibited by your spouse might be indicative of malicious intent. Be wary of these actions that might relate to an intent to hide assets:
- Closing bank accounts
- Sudden withdrawals from joint accounts
- Changing passwords
- Unusually expensive purchases or gifts
- Overpaying on debts
Any uncharacteristic behavior surrounding your spouse’s financial habits can hint at an attempt to remove marital assets from the equation so that they can keep the finances after the finalization of property division.
What can you do if your spouse is hiding assets?
Neglecting to disclose existing financial assets in their entirety during a divorce is illegal. If you suspect that your spouse is guilty of doing so, you can request an investigation to account for all relevant assets. The court might then demand that the guilty spouse render additional payment to you.
Divorce can be a highly sensitive matter, especially if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are not on amicable terms. Taking appropriate measures to bring wrongful behavior to light can help ensure a fair outcome in your marital split.