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Identify Hidden Assets Information Provided by: Divorce Source, Inc. Once a divorce begins some people do whatever they can to preserve what they feel is their own money. Some maintain secret accounts or other financial activities throughout an entire marriage. These assets may be subject to distribution. Financial professionals (including forensic accountants) check a variety of resources to uncover potential hidden assets. These include: Tax returns, one of the best places to start. A five-year lookback for any inconsistencies in income, the presence of trusts, partnerships or real estate holdings, can be most revealing. Business records. When a spouse is a business owner, corporate or partnership returns may show a change in salary, charging personal expenses to the company, or excessive retained earnings. Sometimes someone hires a "friend" who agrees to return the money paid after the divorce. Checking account statements and cancelled checks. Cancelled checks can also be quite revealing, particularly for an investment property, which can make a substantial difference in the marital estate. Savings accounts. These may reveal unusual deposits or withdrawals in amount or pattern that could point to a hidden asset such as a dividend producing investment. In addition, cash may be hidden almost anywhere. Brokerage statements. These are valuable in tracking the purchase and sale of securities. If securities are sold and the proceeds are not accounted for, it is certain that the assets are out there somewhere. Expense accounts. These can be abused when corporations give employees a great deal of leeway in their expense account reporting. Cross checking between expense account disbursements and savings/checking account deposits may indicate a pattern of abuse if the deposits exceed legitimate business expenditures. Children's bank accounts. These may be opened as a custodial account and to hide assets as well. In some of these cases, interest is not reported as income on tax returns, and no return is filed for the children. Information Provided by: Divorce Source, Inc. Navigate:   Home Categories Divorce Negotiation Identify Hidden Assets Useful Online Tools Negotiating Your Divorce Online - You will be surprised how easy it is to resolve your disputes through our innovative Divorce Negotiation CenterTM. It's FREE. Give it a try. Separation Agreement Software Separation Agreement Software It is very difficult to move on with your life without getting the facts in writing, like, who gets what property and who is responsible for what debt, so a separation agreement outlines the rules in a legally binding format. Once you have a signed separation agreement you are on the right path to successfully negotiating your divorce settlement. Suggested Reading Fairshare Divorce for Women Fair Share Divorce for Women is the first book that gives women the support and guidance they need to safeguard their marital assets. Too often women find themselves at a disadvantage when their marriage ends and they have to fight for what is rightfully theirs. Author: Kathleen Miller, CFP, MBA Related Article Archives Client/Attorney Relationship Collaborative Law Property & Debt Division Premarital Agreements Private Investigation Mediation     All Article Archives Related Categories Alimony & Spousal Support Divorce & Pets Divorce, Dollars & Debt Divorce Laws Divorce Process Lawyer-Client Relationship Men's & Father's Rights Women's & Mother's Rights     All Categories Related Forums DIY Divorce Financial Aspects Lawyer Issues Mediation Men's Rights Women's Rights     All Forums Resources & Tools Start Your Divorce Several Options to Get Started Today. Online Divorce Tools Keeping it Simple to Get the Job Done. Download Center Instantly Download Books, Guides & Forms. Discount Books Over 100 of the Best Divorce & Custody Books. Negotiate Online Settle your Divorce and Save. Custody Scheduling Make Sure You Document Everything. DIVORCE AND COLLEGE -- Divorcing spouses should consider the terms and conditions of any college expenses, including out of pocket expenses. Both parents and children are better served when this is decided at the time of the initial settlement agreement, even if the children are very young.

Easily Connect With a Lawyer or Mediator Have Divorce Professionals from Your Area Contact You! Enter Your Zip Code:   Online Divorce Negotiation So you and your spouse have a few issues to iron out before you can agree on your divorce? You are not alone, but you do not have to spend thousands on a lawyer to reach an agreement. With just a little participation and communication, you will be surprised how easy it is to resolve your disputes through our innovative Divorce Negotiation CenterTM. It's FREE. Give it a try. Begin Here   Related Checklists Financial Records Debt and Divorce Before You Settle View All Checklists   Terms to Learn Agreement Arbitration Consent Agreement Leverage Factors Mediation Negotiated Agreement Property Agreement Browse Encyclopedia Over 1000 terms A-Z   Featured Download Basic Principles of Law for Construing Separation Agreements Download Now

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