Joseph H. Beale Attorney at Law, PLLC

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571-335-3735

Joseph H. Beale Attorney at Law, PLLC
571-335-3735

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Herndon and Ashburn-Area Divorce Lawyer Addressing Hidden Assets In A Virginia Divorce

If you are going through a divorce in Virginia, it is required that both you and your spouse make a full disclosure of all financial assets. This is a necessary step as the court aids with asset division. 

If you are worried that your spouse may be hiding assets to get around this obligation, it is important to contact Joseph H. Beale, Attorney At Law, PLLC. I am Herndon attorney Joseph H. Beale, and I bring more than 30 years of experience to every family law case. With offices in Aldie and Herndon, I have extensive experience representing clients with complex asset concerns in Ashburn, Herndon and throughout Northern Virginia. I have also been peer-review rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell. You can trust me to help with finding hidden assets and protecting your rights.

Uncovering Concealed Assets: How to Recognize If Your Spouse Is Hiding Wealth

Hiding assets is more common in a high-conflict divorce. It is also common if you see significant financial changes, like changes to your spouse’s spending habits. Some methods used to hide assets include:

  • Giving money to friends or family members
  • Creating fake debts
  • Overpaying credit card bills or taxes to generate a refund check after the divorce
  • Putting off payments for bonuses or commissions
  • Purchasing items that may be easily undervalued
  • Transferring money to hidden bank accounts or overseas accounts
  • Putting assets in safe deposit boxes

Fortunately, there are legal methods to uncover hidden assets, and I can help you work your way through the process.

What Can You Do If You Suspect Your Spouse Is Hiding Assets?

If you think that there may be hidden assets in your divorce, it is important to gather appropriate documentation. Keep copies of bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns and statements from investment portfolios.

Often, finding hidden assets with modern technology means following an electronic paper trail. You may see unexpected or unauthorized withdrawals from accounts. You may notice that your spouse transferred large amounts of money to a family member right before filing. Details like this help you determine exactly what you actually deserve. The role of a forensic accountant is to help you go through these details and find the assets that qualify as marital property.

Hidden Assets Impact Divorce Settlements

When it comes to forensic accounting and divorce asset recovery, hidden assets can change the settlement. Your spouse may have violated the court order by failing to disclose their assets accurately. The court may then adjust the settlement in your favor to make up for assets that you lost.

Call For A Consultation

I can serve clients all across northern Virginia, and I have offices in both Aldie and Herndon. Call 571-335-3735 or use the online contact form to schedule your initial consultation today.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.