Searching for assets during divorce is not uncommon. There are usually clear paths to locate assets; the vital thing to know is that hidden assets or property not disclosed voluntarily can be found and included in the marriage dissolution.
How to begin the search for assets in a divorce
Financial judgments such as bankruptcies or debt collection can be a great place to start looking for assets during divorce proceedings. These agencies have done a lot of the footwork for you. Since you most likely have access to your spouse’s personal information, this search will be practical. The key is to know what to look for when searching. Think about running a credit report on yourself if you were looking to locate information about your assets; the process is similar.
Post-judgment information is generally accessible in most areas. A quick internet search will let you know what the rules are for your locale. Your state government website will likely provide information regarding the legalities surrounding post-judgment searches.
Steps to start the search for assets in a divorce
Knowing what assets you might discover will help you begin your search. The following checklist will help you get started:
- List your assets, combined and separate.
- Gather your bank and investment statements.
- Write down any real estate investments.
- Examine wills.
- Review debts and liabilities for clues to asset locations.
Finding assets during a divorce is not always a simple task; it will require patience and diligence. You will need to invest time and sometimes money to get the information you need, but it’s worth it if it results in uncovering hard-to-find assets that you are owed a portion of in the divorce settlement.
