How to Find Hidden Assets in Divorce: Easy Ways to Protect Your Money

If you think your spouse is hiding money or property during your divorce, it’s important to know how to find hidden assets in divorce. Discovering what your spouse has kept secret can help you get your fair share of the property you both acquired during the marriage.

Tools to Find Hidden Assets in Divorce

When you file for divorce, it’s not just about ending the marriage. It’s also about protecting yourself financially. In North Carolina, you’re entitled to a portion of the property your spouse gained during your marriage. But how do you find hidden assets in divorce that you don’t even know exist?

The main tools to uncover hidden assets in divorce are Discovery, Subpoenas, and Depositions.

What is Discovery in Divorce?

Discovery is the process where you can ask your spouse for important information about their finances. Through Discovery, you can request documents that might show hidden assets in divorce, such as bank accounts, retirement funds, or cash. This helps you find out if your spouse is hiding anything valuable.

Types of Discovery Tools:

1. Interrogatories

Interrogatories are written questions that your spouse must answer under oath. If they lie or don’t answer, the judge can order them to respond or punish them. You can ask up to 50 questions, which is usually enough to get the information you need about hidden assets in divorce.

1. Requests for Production of Documents

This tool lets you ask your spouse to provide certain documents, like bank statements or financial records. For example, you might ask for statements from all their accounts over the last two years. There’s no limit to how many requests you can send to uncover hidden assets in divorce.

1. Requests for Admission

These are specific questions where you ask your spouse to admit or deny facts related to the divorce. For example, you might ask your spouse if they sold an expensive piece of jewelry. The answers you get can help prove facts related to hidden assets in divorce.

Using Subpoenas to Get the Information You Need

A Subpoena is a legal tool that lets you ask third parties, like banks or credit card companies, to give you your spouse’s financial records. If you know your spouse had an account at a bank like Wells Fargo, but they haven’t given you the records, you can send a subpoena to get those statements. Subpoenas are a powerful way to uncover hidden assets in divorce.

Subpoenas are great because they give you accurate and complete financial records, which are key to discovering hidden assets in divorce. They are the best way to get the information you need to prove your spouse is hiding money.

How Depositions Help You Find Hidden Assets in Divorce

A Deposition is a legal process where your spouse answers questions under oath. If you find something suspicious in their financial records—like a large cash withdrawal—you can use a deposition to ask them what happened to that money.

Depositions usually take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few days, depending on the situation. Even if your spouse tries to lie, a deposition can help uncover the truth about hidden assets in divorce. It’s a great way to get answers when your spouse is being dishonest.

Tracing Hidden Assets in Divorce – Looking Closely at Financial Records

Finding hidden assets in divorce isn’t just about getting documents; it’s about reviewing them carefully. This means looking at bank statements, credit card bills, and other records to figure out where the money went and what’s been hidden. This part can take time, but it’s worth it to uncover what your spouse is trying to hide.

Finding hidden assets in divorce may take time and money, but it’s important to make sure you’re getting your fair share of the property. How much time and money you spend depends on your situation, but it’s always worth putting in the effort if you suspect your spouse is hiding something.

Get Help from a Divorce Lawyer

If you think your spouse is hiding assets, it’s a good idea to talk to a divorce lawyer. A lawyer who understands hidden assets in divorce will help you through the divorce process and guide you in using the right tools, like Discovery, subpoenas, and depositions, to uncover what’s been hidden.

Talk to a Divorce Lawyer Today If you suspect your spouse is hiding money or property, don’t wait. Speak to an experienced divorce lawyer to get help in finding hidden assets in divorce and making sure you’re protected financially during the divorce. Contact a trusted family lawyer now to discuss your case and start your divorce on the right track.

Consult With An Experienced Divorce Attorney in Winston Salem

If you believe your spouse was hiding money during the marriage or hasn’t disclosed certain property during your separation, then you are going to need a qualified family law attorney who is experienced in uncovering and tracking down hidden assets. Your lawyer will help you understand your options, the process, and the path forward. Most importantly, your attorney will help you build your case so you have what you need to get what you should in court.

Bennett D. Rainey is a divorce attorney and partner at Kurtz Whitley Guy Sanders & Rainey, PLLC in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina. Bennett specializes in family law and is experienced in equitable distribution cases that involve hidden assets and complex financial transactions. 

Call Bennett today at 336-768-1515 to set up a consultation and start working towards a better tomorrow. You may also email Bennett at brainey@wsncfamilylaw.com.