The Hidden Side of Divorce: How to investigate and uncover hidden assets

There are a number of ways to hide assets in divorce, but it is important to note that these methods are unethical and can have serious consequences if you are caught. Additionally, the courts have a number of tools at their disposal to uncover hidden assets, so it is important to be careful.

Here are some of the most common ways that people hide assets in divorce:

• Transferring assets to friends or family members. This can be done by giving the assets to friends or family members outright, or by creating trusts or other legal arrangements that give the appearance of ownership to someone else.
• Investing in assets that are difficult to value or trace. This could include things like cash, cryptocurrency, or precious metals.
• Using shell companies or other offshore accounts. This can make it difficult for the courts to track down and seize assets.
• Undervaluing assets. This could involve things like claiming that a business is worth less than it actually is, or that a piece of real estate is worth less than market value.

Merlin, Hunter & Associates can investigate the following methods of hiding assets in divorce:

Transferring assets to friends or family members

• Review the client's financial records to identify any unusual transfers of funds to friends or family members.
• Interview the client's friends and family members to determine whether they have received any assets from the client.
• Conduct background checks on the client's friends and family members to determine whether they have a history of financial fraud or other criminal activity.

Investing in assets that are difficult to value or trace

• Review the client's investment accounts to identify any investments in cash, cryptocurrency, or precious metals.
• Conduct surveillance on the client to determine whether they are engaging in any activities that may be related to the purchase or sale of difficult-to-trace assets.
• Interview the client's associates and financial advisors to determine whether they have any knowledge of the client's investments in difficult-to-trace assets.

Using shell companies or other offshore accounts

• Review the client's business records to identify any shell companies or offshore accounts.
• Conduct research on the shell companies and offshore accounts to determine who owns and controls them.
• Track the movement of funds through the shell companies and offshore accounts to determine whether they are being used to hide assets.

Undervaluing assets

• Obtain appraisals of the client's assets to determine their market value.
• Compare the client's appraisals to other appraisals of similar assets.
• Interview experts in the field of asset valuation to get their opinion on the value of the client's assets.

If you require assistance in uncovering hidden assets, contact me at james@merlinhunter.com or call +442033406070 to schedule a consultation and discuss how we can support your case.