If you’re preparing for divorce, you can logically assume there are others in Pennsylvania going through similar situations at this time. Hopefully, you and your soon-to-be former spouse get along well enough that you are both willing to compromise and cooperate in order to achieve a swift, fair and agreeable settlement. If you have kids, it might take time to negotiate a new parenting plan, but if all goes well, you should be out of court and on your way to a new lifestyle before long.
What if that’s not the case? What if you suspect there’s a major problem and you aren’t sure how to resolve it? You can overcome many divorce-related obstacles by knowing your rights and arming yourself with information ahead of time so you know how to proceed if a particular problem arises. You can also tap into outside resources for support. If you suspect your spouse is up to no good concerning marital property, you may be one of many who encounter hidden asset trouble in divorce.
Know where to look for evidence
You’ve always been a person who strives to see the best in others. That’s why, at first, you didn’t want to think your spouse may be trying to hide assets in preparation for divorce proceedings. The following information includes signs of a hidden asset problem and where you might want to search if your instincts tell you something is askew:
- The modern age of technology has many benefits. It also helps people conceal information they don’t want others to know. If you believe your spouse is operating under another name, involved in an affair or is otherwise trying to funnel money away from your joint accounts, you might want to run a search online to see what comes up when you type in your spouse’s name.
- Some people boldly hide money or luxury items in plain sight. If you think this is something your spouse might be doing, you might want to go on a cleaning spree at home. Clearing out drawers, cupboards and hidden compartments in desks or other areas of the house might lead to hidden asset evidence.
- Keeping a close eye on mail that is coming and going from your home is another step in the right direction if you suspect a hidden asset problem. A major sign is when money is disappearing from your bank account without your knowledge. Transferring funds to secret accounts or asking friends or family members to hold money until a divorce is settled is a common means of hiding assets.
You’d think most spouses who want to get on with their lives would want to play fair, do what they need to do in court and be finished with it all. If your spouse is determined to have the upper hand when it comes to property division, hiding assets to keep them from being subject to division may be part of the plan. This type of behavior is not only mean and heartless, it is illegal.
Other Pennsylvania spouses know what it’s like to fight against asset hiders in court. The best means to do so typically involves seeking immediate assistance from an experienced family law attorney.
