Some spouses do their best to cheat their partners out of their fair share of assets when they divorce. One common way they do this is to try and hide some assets.
If you suspect your spouse might try to do this to you, then it’s useful to understand what the warning signs might look like. Here are a few to look out for:
1. A sudden new interest in something financial
Has your spouse always been the type to let their money grow a few percent a year in a savings account? If you notice they are suddenly spending a lot of time discussing other forms of investment such as Bitcoin with their friends or investigating them online, it could be a sign they are planning to move some money. It might be entirely innocent, especially if they tell you about it. But, if they appear to believe you don’t know, it might be they are planning on using one of these places to hide money from you.
2. Unexplained outgoings from your accounts
Checking your bank and card statements is wise if you think or know divorce is on the horizon. If you notice unusual activity you can ask your spouse to explain. If you find their explanation hard to believe it might warrant further investigation.
3. Odd changes in the wealth of those closest to your spouse
Has your spouse’s always-broke best friend suddenly acquired a new car or property? Are you sure they paid for it themself, or are they acting as a front for your spouse who made the investment in their friend’s name to keep money from you?
If you do suspect your spouse of hiding assets, it’s wise to learn more about your options to investigate further and do something about anything you uncover.