Forensic accountancy on the cheap - finding hidden assets in divorce

cymro

I suspect my ex has hidden assets ahead of a divorce. You could of course hire a forensic accountant to find out what the spouse really has. For many people this is not financially viable so does anyone have any tips for saving money on this front e.g. how to find out how many houses spouse owns, how many businesses he/she is a director of etc.

Thanks in advance

T

paperkool

cymro wrote: »

I suspect my ex has hidden assets ahead of a divorce. You could of course hire a forensic accountant to find out what the spouse really has. For many people this is not financially viable so does anyone have any tips for saving money on this front e.g. how to find out how many houses spouse owns, how many businesses he/she is a director of etc.

Thanks in advance

T

Get a private detective, however they usually aren't inexpensive.
I would inquire at a private detective school and try to find a computent guaduate. Of course, there's allways a Google Search for such things.
Yes get a private detective!

BitterAndTwisted

If you suspect there are assets like additional properties etcetera I'd get a bank-loan to finance a decent enquiry. It's not something I'd consider trying to do on the cheap, there's too much at stake

cymro

Many Thanks - we are not talking millions but possibly a couple of 100k at stake

BitterAndTwisted

Half of £100k is £50k that should be yours. I'd spend a percentage of that to ensure I got a fair share, that's for sure

roger196

cymro wrote: »

I suspect my ex has hidden assets ahead of a divorce. You could of course hire a forensic accountant to find out what the spouse really has. For many people this is not financially viable so does anyone have any tips for saving money on this front e.g. how to find out how many houses spouse owns, how many businesses he/she is a director of etc.

Thanks in advance

T

Work out his assets and liabilities at a date about five years ago (assuming you were together at this time), say 1st january 2005. From personal knowledge you should know what assets he held then. To the net assets at that date add his earnings for the next four years. From this figure deduct his living expenses to give his net assets at 31st december 2008. His earning should be available from his tax returns, if you believe these. Try to reconcile this figure of net assets with the figure given to you in pre-hearing disclosure. Another approach is to go through all his known bank/ building society/ credit card statements to identify all incomings and outgoings. These will often reveal undisclosed accounts or purchase of property assets. If 10k goes out of an account, it must go somewhere. You need to find out where that somewhere is. Do not overlook bills for house painting as this may relate to undisclosed house.
Search companies house for directorships.
Get his aggreement to the various credit agencies supplying a credit report.