When a couple decides to divorce, they are supposed to be upfront about their finances and their assets. When one spouse lies or tries to hide a potential source of money, they are committing financial fraud. If you suspect that your spouse is guilty of fraud, it can be difficult to prove that on your own. One of our experienced Union County divorce attorneys may be able to help you.
What Suspicious Behaviors Should I Look For During a Divorce?
It is not always easy to spot financial fraud. There are some signs that you could look out for though, and sometimes the suspicious behavior of your spouse before and during the divorce process could set off some alarm bells. It is a good idea to notice when:
- There are accounts your spouse was keeping secret from you
- Your spouse is controlling with the finances
- They make a lot of cash transactions
- You are asked to sign financial documents without being given the chance to read them or review them with an attorney
- Your spouse is secretive about finances
- You find out your spouse is/was having an affair
What Should I Do If I Suspect Financial Fraud?
If you do suspect fraud, talking to your lawyer should be your next step. Your attorney can help you look for signs of fraud. They can also:
Use the discovery process: Legally, your spouse and their attorney will need to hand over any financial documents during the discovery process, a critical stage of your divorce trial. Unless your spouse wants to commit a crime, they will hand over everything. You might learn about some accounts and other assets that you were not aware of, and that can make your negotiations more fair later on.
Hire a forensic accountant: In some cases, the discovery process does not put our client at ease. If this happens to you and you still suspect that your former partner is committing financial fraud, you may want to speak to a forensic accountant. These professionals can sort through your finances and get all of the details. If your spouse is hiding something, they can find it. Your lawyer can help you find a forensic accountant if you want to go this route. Just know that the services of the accountant will come with their own costs.
When you can successfully uncover financial fraud, that makes the entire divorce process fairer. Now you can actually negotiate for alimony, child support, and property distribution knowing all of the facts.
Contact Our Divorce Lawyers Today
At Ross & Calandrillo, LLC we are equipped to help New Jersey residents at every stage of the divorce process. If you are worried about fairness and fraud in your divorce, we are ready to assist you too. Contact our law firm and set up a consultation today.
