If your ex-spouse hates the idea of paying alimony or child support, and you suspect that, to minimize these payments, he or she has hidden significant income or assets, then continue reading. Here’s our guide to what to do if your ex-spouse may be hiding assets.
5 Ways To Know If Your Ex Is Hiding Money Or Assets
If you suspect your ex is being dishonest about their finances during a divorce or post-judgment modification, you’re not alone. Financial deception is unfortunately common—and it can significantly impact your settlement or support arrangement. Here are five red flags to watch for:
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Bank Statements Are in Someone Else’s Name
One of the most common tactics involves hiding funds in accounts that don’t raise suspicion. If bank or investment account statements are suddenly being mailed in the name of your child, a sibling, a new partner, or a friend, this could be an attempt to shield assets from discovery. Pay attention to unfamiliar names appearing on mail, transaction histories, or shared bills. -
Financial Software Has “Gone Missing”
If programs like QuickBooks, Pastel, or other bookkeeping tools have been uninstalled or are suddenly “unavailable,” it could be more than a technical issue—it may be an effort to erase digital records of income, debts, or hidden assets. If your spouse previously used such tools and now claims not to, that’s a red flag worth investigating. -
Unusual Purchases of Easily Liquidated Assets
Large purchases—such as rare artwork, jewelry, luxury watches, or even high-end electronics—can be a strategy for hiding cash in plain sight. These items can later be sold, returned, or stored until after the divorce is finalized, effectively turning money into a temporarily disguised form. If your spouse is suddenly splurging on items they never showed interest in before, take note. -
Claims of Financial Hardship—Without Any Lifestyle Changes
Your ex may start complaining about financial strain or an inability to pay support, yet nothing in their lifestyle seems to reflect that. If they’re still taking vacations, driving a luxury car, or dining out frequently, but claiming they can’t afford to meet their obligations, it may be a sign of income being concealed or diverted elsewhere. -
Unexplained Decrease in Income with Steady Expenses
A sudden drop in reported income—especially for self-employed individuals or business owners—can sometimes be a smokescreen. If their salary has allegedly decreased but their spending habits haven’t changed, it’s possible they’re underreporting earnings, deferring commissions, or redirecting funds into untraceable accounts.
What To Do If You Think Your Ex-Spouse May Be Hiding Assets
Suspecting that your ex is hiding money or other assets can be infuriating—especially when your financial stability or your child’s future is on the line. Your first instinct might be to confront them directly, but doing so can backfire.
Here’s the truth: once your ex knows you’re onto them, they may double down on their efforts to cover their tracks. They could move or destroy evidence, transfer funds to even more obscure accounts, or coach others to lie on their behalf. That’s why it’s crucial to remain calm, collected, and tactical.
Instead of reacting emotionally, take the following steps:
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Document Everything Quietly
Begin gathering any financial records, statements, emails, or screenshots that seem off. Take note of missing documents, sudden financial changes, or questionable purchases. Save copies in a secure, private location—ideally somewhere your ex cannot access. -
Loop In a Divorce Attorney Who Knows How to Investigate Hidden Assets
Not all attorneys are experienced in financial discovery or forensic accounting, so make sure you’re working with someone who can bring in experts when needed. A skilled attorney can issue subpoenas, request specific documents during the discovery process, and know what red flags to pursue in court. -
Consider a Private Investigator or Forensic Accountant
You can hire a private investigator who can follow your spouse to find out if he goes to work full time or if he uses a bank without your knowing. You can also hire a forensic accountant, a financial expert who can look at your family’s finances to help you locate hidden money. A forensic accountant can help you trace bank accounts and can determine if your family expenses are higher than the income your spouse claims to make. -
Don’t Tip Your Hand
Even if you’re confident your ex is hiding something, stay quiet. Keep conversations with them cordial and surface-level, especially when it comes to money. The less they suspect you’re building a case, the more likely they are to slip up. -
Let the Legal System Do the Heavy Lifting
Your attorney may request that your ex complete a sworn financial affidavit or submit to a deposition under oath. If they lie, misrepresent facts, or “forget” to disclose key assets, they could face penalties, including fines, sanctions, or a less favorable settlement.
What To Do About Hidden Assets Or Money Post Divorce
Sometimes you may not find out that your spouse hid assets until after your divorce finalizes. For example, you may later learn that your spouse sold a house during the divorce. You may also hear from friends or family members that your spouse is bragging about how much money he earns even though he claimed during your divorce to make much less.
If this occurs, you can file a motion in the court where your divorce was finalized and ask them to reopen your divorce case and possibly amend your divorce agreement. This is easier in a community property state where the court considers all assets earned during the marriage to be joint assets. If you live in an equitable distribution state, like New York, the court cannot always change a final divorce agreement concerning property distribution. In those states, you are expected to do as much research as possible during the divorce process. You may, however, still be permitted to sue your ex-spouse in civil court for monetary damages.
Hiring a New York City Divorce Attorney
If you’re like many spouses, you enjoy limited access to relevant financial documents. That all changes when you start working with a skilled attorney. Your lawyer can make formal demands for information such as tax returns, loan applications, and financial statements. Additionally, your lawyer can seek information via interrogatories, which force your ex to provide written responses to targeted questions.
If you’re filing for divorce in New York and need an experienced divorce attorney, contact Brian D. Perskin & Associates P.C. today at 718-875-7584 for a free, no-obligation consultation.