Is hiding assets during a divorce a good idea?

No, hiding assets during divorce is not a good idea because it is not ethical and is illegal. When you are divorcing, you are required by law to honestly disclose your assets as well as your debts to your spouse and the courts.

• If you hide your assets and then it can be proved that you willfully did so, you can be charged with a crime such as perjury.
• If your attorney becomes aware that you are hiding your assets and you refuse to disclose something your attorney will most likely terminate their representation.

Marital Property or Not?

The asset or assets that you are thinking about hiding may not even be considered marital property, subject to division in the divorce. A frank discussion with your attorney about all of your assets, how they came to be yours, and how long you have had them is in order so that you can understand what their likely disposition is.

Finding Hidden Assets

It can be expensive and time consuming to find assets that have been hidden by your spouse, especially those assets that have been methodically and carefully hidden over long periods of time. You can help yourself by paying attention to the bills and account statements that regularly flow through your home. If you suddenly stop seeing statements and you suspect they are being diverted to another location, contact your attorney right away.

Assets can also be hidden by slowly devaluing them over time, asking customers to defer payment of their invoices or even overpaying taxes only to request a refund after the divorce.

Get Legal Help

Divorce can bring out the worst in people, on so many levels. Greed or even the feeling of a need for revenge can cause one spouse to try to hide assets during a divorce. It is not legal or ethical and is definitely a subject you need to discuss today with your divorce attorney.