Although it would be ideal, not every divorce is amicable. One spouse may have been planning to split for months, while the other spouse is blindsided by the news. In certain scenarios, one partner may have controlled all or most of the couple’s finances during the marriage. In these cases, one spouse is put at a disadvantage because he or she is financially vulnerable. 

Under Illinois law, the division of assets or property is subject to equitable distribution. This means any marital property that was acquired during the marriage will be divided in a fair manner. However, one spouse may be guilty of depleting and/or hiding assets in order to keep more for himself or herself after the marriage is legally terminated. Inappropriate spending in such a situation is called dissipation of assets, and a skilled attorney along with a forensic accountant can help in revealing this form of deception.         

How to Detect Wasteful Behavior

Dividing assets or property can be one of the most contested aspects of a divorce. The court considers several factors when determining who gets what. In some cases, the split could be 65/35 or 80/20, or all marital property could even be allocated to one spouse.  

A divorce can be complex, with many issues to resolve. Some couples argue over money, especially as it relates to child support or spousal maintenance. In high-asset divorce cases, one spouse may deliberately try to hide funds in an effort to keep them from the other spouse. That is why it is important to seek professional legal counsel to make sure you are not being taken advantage of during the proceedings. Hidden assets can be uncovered in several different ways with the help of a forensic accountant, as well as an experienced divorce attorney.      

Ways in Which a Spouse May Hide Marital Assets

There are certain ways your spouse can be deceitful if he or she does not want to share a portion of the marital assets. One of the most common ways to hide assets is to transfer them to a new bank account that is only in your spouse’s name. Hidden assets may also include other acts, such as using dinners as a business expense or tax write-off. Undervaluing a piece of property you own together is another way to conceal funds. 

Below are a few examples of the means through which marital assets may be hidden:

Under Illinois divorce laws, marital property is subject to equitable distribution, meaning each party receives a fair share of any assets that were acquired during the marriage. However, sometimes a spouse can be dishonest, depriving the other spouse to what he or she is entitled. This can be done a number of ways, and although common in high net worth or complex divorces, it can happen in any type of divorce. Forensic accounting is defined as the use of accounting practices to investigate fraud and to analyze financial information for use in legal proceedings, such as disputes or litigation during a divorce.  

How Are Assets Hidden?

People can be creative when they want to conceal money or valuable possessions. In a lot of cases, one spouse earns the majority of the income or owns a business, so that spouse often has easier access to financial matters.

Some of the ways assets can be hidden include: