Hidden Assets in Divorce: Red Flags and How New Jersey Courts Uncover the Truth
Few things are more stressful in a New Jersey divorce than suspecting your spouse is hiding money or property. Hidden assets can jeopardize your rights in a divorce settlement, impact your ability to make a fresh start, and cause financial insecurity in the future.
Unfortunately, this is a common issue among married couples, regardless of their income or financial status. If you believe something isn’t adding up, our experienced New Jersey divorce lawyers explain common warning signs of hidden assets and how the law protects you.
Common Red Flags That Suggest Hidden Assets in a New Jersey Divorce
Rights to money and property are one of the most common things couples fight over when getting a divorce. Under the New Jersey Statutes, all marital property gets divided on an equitable basis, based on factors such as each party’s economic circumstances and their contributions to the marriage.
To avoid equitable distribution and secure more than their fair share in a settlement, one spouse may attempt to hide assets from the other. Sometimes the signs are subtle; other times, they’re hard to ignore. Common red flags include:
- Sudden changes in spending, banking, or bill payment habits.
- Unexplained withdrawals or transfers from shared accounts.
- Claims that a business is losing money when lifestyle spending stays high.
- Hidden cryptocurrency wallets or unfamiliar online financial accounts.
- Delays in providing tax returns, bank statements, or business records.
The New Jersey Family Court legally requires full financial disclosure in divorce cases. When one spouse refuses to be honest, there are legal tools that can help uncover the truth.
How New Jersey Courts Identify and Recover Hidden Assets in Divorce
If you are getting divorced and suspect your spouse of hiding assets, contact our experienced New Jersey divorce lawyer right away. There are legal tools we can use to track money, verify records, and expose inconsistencies. These include:
- Subpoenas for bank statements, tax documents, and employment records.
- Forensic accounting to analyze income, business revenue, and financial discrepancies.
- Depositions that require your spouse to answer questions under oath.
- Review of credit card statements, loan applications, and digital payment platforms.
- Court orders compelling full disclosure of all financial documents.
There are also actions you can take on your own to uncover hidden assets in a New Jersey divorce. These include making a complete inventory of all marital property, conducting online searches, and reviewing property records and tax returns.
Worried Your Spouse is Hiding Assets? Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Divorce Lawyers Today
Hidden assets are unfortunately common when getting a divorce in New Jersey and can impact the amount you get in a divorce settlement. At Sanvenero & Cittadino Attorneys at Law, we provide trusted, professional legal representation and protect your rights in this situation.
Our experienced New Jersey divorce lawyers address your concerns and take the legal actions needed to ensure you get the best possible divorce settlement. Serving clients in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, Central New Jersey, and across the state, call or contact us online to request a consultation today.
Sources:
lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=Publish:10.1048/Enu
njcourts.gov/courts/family