Hidden Assets Attorney In Inglewood, CA
Divorces can get messy, especially if the two spouses are fighting throughout the process. People often try to hide assets while they’re getting divorced to hurt their spouses and keep more of the marital property for themselves, but this is illegal. If you believe your spouse is hiding assets, hire an Inglewood hidden assets lawyer to help you prove it.
Trust Kramer & Zitser, LLP
Kramer & Zitser, LLP are certified family law attorneys in Inglewood who have practiced for decades. The firm combines the skills of two senior attorneys, giving you access to a wealth of knowledge and experience. We’re familiar with hidden asset laws and have developed professional relationships with forensic accountants who can help us prove that your spouse is attempting to conceal wealth.
Why Hire a Hidden Assets Lawyer?
According to one survey from the National Endowment for Financial Education, 43% have committed financial deception in a past or current relationship. Over ⅓ of the participants hid money in the form of bank accounts, cash, or large purchases. If couples are willing to deceive each other when their relationships are going well, it’s unsurprising that so many people attempt to hide assets during a divorce in Inglewood.
In 2022, the California divorce rate was 5.9 divorces per 1,000 women ages 15 and up. That adds up to a lot of opportunities for hiding assets. The good news is that if you’re worried about your spouse hiding wealth, there’s something you can do. Hire a hidden assets lawyer to track down any cash, bank accounts, or property they might be hiding.
Tips for Tracking Down Hidden Assets
According to California Family Code Section 721, your spouse has a fiduciary duty to you. Unfortunately, many people breach this duty by hiding assets. The easiest way to track them down is to do so with the help of an Inglewood hidden assets attorney and potentially a forensic accountant.
If you’re not sure whether you need to hire an attorney, there are some things you can do yourself to determine whether your spouse is lying to you about money. You can:
- Inspect voluntary disclosures. Both spouses make disclosures as part of the discovery process. Review them for any signs of errors or omissions. Some people leave out bank statements, while others fail to list correct real estate values or keep secret stock options. If you’re not sure how much something is worth, you can always request an independent appraisal.
- Demand involuntary disclosures. Your lawyer can use interrogatories to request information from your spouse. They are required to answer truthfully and provide the requested documents within a set time frame. Those documents can include tax returns, bank statements, estate documents, titles, and other financial statements, and can be useful in identifying hidden assets.
- Use depositions. Depositions are a good way for you to collect recorded statements about certain assets. Any information obtained via depositions can be used later in court.
- Check social media. People are bad at keeping things to themselves. Even if your spouse isn’t telling you everything, they may be posting photos on social media that show purchases or experiences their known income wouldn’t support.
- Look for secrecy about work. If your spouse recently removed information from LinkedIn or is otherwise acting secretive about their work life, that could indicate financial deception.
Potential Consequences for Hiding Assets
If your spouse gets caught hiding assets during a trial at the Inglewood Courthouse, it will reflect poorly on them. Under California Family Code 1101(a), you have the right to pursue a claim if your spouse’s actions go against the interests of the marital estate. If your spouse’s breach of fiduciary duty involves fraud, the court can award up to 100% of the hidden assets to you instead of dividing them between you and your spouse.
FAQs
How Can You Prove Someone Is Hiding Assets?
You can prove someone is hiding assets by hiring a hidden assets attorney in Inglewood. Your attorney will subpoena third-party records from banks and employers, check your spouse’s financial records, and use the formal legal discovery process to uncover potential sources of hidden wealth. In some cases, lawyers work with forensic accountants to identify missing items or track down paper trails.
Why Is Moving Out the Biggest Mistake in a Divorce?
Moving out is the biggest mistake in a divorce because it can weaken your child custody claim. Moving out will disrupt routines, create an unnecessary financial strain, and negatively impact the court’s view of your commitment to your child and family. Courts always favor stability, and moving out before the divorce has been finalized looks like an impulsive decision.
Can You File a Claim Against a Spouse for Asset Concealment?
You can file a claim against a spouse for asset concealment. Asset concealment is a form of fraud, and the courts will punish those guilty of hiding finances. If you can prove your spouse is attempting to hide assets, you may be entitled to a larger share of those assets or other financial benefits. If you discover hidden assets after your divorce has been finalized, you may be able to reopen the divorce case.
What Is the 5-Year Marriage Rule in California?
The 5-year marriage rule in California refers to the time limit for summary dissolution. If you’ve been married less than five years, you may be eligible for this simplified divorce proceeding. However, there are also other rules. You and your spouse can’t have any children together, you must meet property and debt limits, and agree on all divorce terms.
Your Inglewood Hidden Assets Lawyer
If you believe your spouse is attempting to hide assets from you during your divorce, you should take it seriously. Hire an Inglewood hidden assets lawyer as soon as possible.
The team at Kramer & Zitser, LLP, can help. We’ve been in practice for decades, and in that time, we’ve taken on all kinds of hidden asset cases. We can help with yours, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.
