Hidden Assets Attorney In Malibu, CA
Divorces are difficult, even when they’re relatively amicable. If your spouse is hiding assets from you, it can prevent you from getting your fair share of the marital property. This can add a new level of stress to an already bad situation. You need a Malibu hidden assets lawyer on your side who can uncover hidden property and get you what you deserve in the divorce.
Trust Kramer & Zitser, LLP
The Malibu divorce lawyers at Kramer & Zitser, LLP, can obtain positive outcomes for clients in their divorces. If you’re concerned about the fair division of marital property, you don’t have to face your spouse alone. We can offer legal representation and uncover any hidden assets they have kept from you.
Why Hire a Hidden Assets Lawyer?
California’s adjusted divorce rate in 2022 was just 12.4%, making it one of the lowest in the nation. Given California’s 2025 population of over 39.5 million people, that’s still a lot of divorces, many of which involve the exchange of significant amounts of wealth. Malibu is California’s fourth-wealthiest city by median income, so divorcing residents have more to lose than many people.
For those living in Malibu, divorce proceedings would be held at the Los Angeles Superior Court. If you’re concerned that your spouse may be hiding assets, you probably have reason to be. A surprising number of people admit to financial infidelity in their relationships. The easiest way to prove whether your spouse is concealing property is to hire a lawyer with an intimate familiarity with hidden assets laws.
A hidden assets lawyer can review financial records, tax records, and other documentation, looking for infidelities. Lawyers also have access to professionals, such as forensic accountants, who can provide further assistance with uncovering hidden property. The same legal team that assists you in finding hidden assets can also handle other essential aspects of your divorce.
Warning Signs That Your Spouse Has Hidden Assets
There are usually warning signs that spouses are hiding assets from each other when approaching a divorce. Keep an eye out for these common indicators, and let your lawyer know if you’ve noticed any of them:
- Unusual financial transactions. If your spouse has made large withdrawals from a joint bank account, they could be hiding cash by either opening new accounts you don’t know about or transferring money to friends or family members for later return.
- Changed passwords. If you suddenly find that you can’t access your financial accounts because your spouse has created new passwords without telling you, that’s a clear red flag.
- Discrepancies in financial documents. Tax returns can reveal property you’re unaware of, and discrepancies between tax returns and other financial documents often indicate that one spouse is hiding assets.
- Large gifts or loans. It’s relatively common for spouses who want to hide assets to make large gifts or loans to friends or family members, with the expectation of getting the money back after the divorce.
- Sudden complaints of financial losses. If your spouse is suddenly complaining about a business that had been doing well historically, be wary of those claims, and know that people can hide business income in many ways.
- Lifestyle out of line with income. Pay attention to your spouse’s spending habits post-separation, and note if they show signs of lifestyle changes that don’t align with what they’re claiming in income.
Ways to Uncover Hidden Assets
A hidden assets attorney has certain tools for uncovering hidden assets. They include:
- Interrogatories
- Requests for document production
- Depositions
- Subpoeas
The first step toward proving that your spouse is hiding property is to hire a hidden assets lawyer. They can show that your spouse has engaged in spoliation of evidence. From there, your lawyer can hire a forensic accountant or take other measures, as needed, to trace discrepancies.
FAQs
How Can I Prove That Someone Is Hiding Assets?
You can prove that someone is hiding assets by hiring a Malibu hidden assets attorney. We can analyze financial records and credit reports, look for inconsistencies, and find a forensic accountant, if necessary, to discover and track hidden funds. Your spouse is not allowed to hide assets during a divorce, and we can hold them accountable if they do so anyway.
What Assets Cannot Be Split in a California Divorce?
The assets that cannot be split in a California divorce are known as separate property. Separate property includes assets and debts accumulated before the marriage began, gifts to specific spouses, and any inheritances received during the marriage. It also encompasses any assets and debts acquired after the date of separation. If you have a prenuptial agreement in place, it could define other types of assets as separate property. In that case, they would not be divided in a divorce.
How Do I Find My Husband’s Hidden Assets?
You can find your husband’s hidden assets by analyzing financial records, tax documents, and credit statements to look for discrepancies. Even careful people typically make at least a few mistakes when they attempt to hide property from separating spouses. If you’re having trouble finding your husband’s hidden assets, a hidden assets lawyer can use several methods to uncover them.
What Are the Red Flags That a Spouse Is Hiding Assets?
The red flags that a spouse is hiding assets can include:
- Sudden debts
- Missing financial records
- Overpayments on taxes or credit cards
- Discrepancies between the lifestyle they have and their purported income
Spouses hiding assets often engage in unusual financial secrecy and make sudden changes in their behavior surrounding money.
Your Malibu Hidden Assets Lawyer
If you’re concerned that your spouse may be attempting to hide assets from you during a divorce, you need a Malibu hidden assets lawyer you can trust to find the truth. Kramer & Zitser, LLP, has taken countless hidden assets cases. With over 50 years of combined experience, the two senior attorneys heading our team have seen many ways in which spouses can hide their assets. We can uncover hidden assets and better position you during your divorce. Contact us to set up an initial consultation.
