Feb 16, 2024 3 min read
You don’t need a private investigator or a forensic accountant to uncover the financial infidelity. Here are the signs you can look for:
Take note if your partner begins to make unusual purchases, especially large ones, using the checking account. He or she may intend to sell the items later and keep the profits, leaving you without your share of the marital cash.
If you no longer receive bank statements, there is a chance the address on the account has been changed to hide something nefarious. We’ve seen people do this in an effort to hide that money is being diverted from a joint account to a secret account held only by one spouse.
Spouses that hide assets often open new accounts. They try to hide it but sometimes forget that statements or other communication may come in the mail. If you notice documents coming in from banks or ATM receipts in their pockets from a bank you don't know about, it could be a sign that a family member is hiding money.
Your spouse may tell you they made some bad investments and lost a considerable amount of money. They may be trying to mislead you so the divorce settlement goes in their favor.
Questionable business and tax behavior is a sign of something is wrong. For instance, you notice your spouse has begun to cut a paycheck each month to an employee whose name you don’t recognize. Or, your spouse overstates business expenses on their taxes (this is also tax fraud, by the way).
It’s a red flag if your spouse suddenly has loans to repay to family and friends. This is a tactic some people use to have a pile of cash when the divorce is final. Check your account for suspicious withdrawals.
Oftentimes a spouse will say they have received a sizable pay cut when, in fact, they haven’t. This lie allows them to set aside money over time so they don’t have to lose some of it to you in the divorce.
If your spouse suddenly takes complete control of the finances and doesn't let you see the financial accounts or monthly bills, it could be a sign that they have hidden assets. Your spouse may be overspending or hiding cash for habits they don't want you to discover, so they take over the active role of handling the finances.
If your spouse asks for your signature on a financial document, read it thoroughly. If you don’t understand it, don’t sign it. Take it to a lawyer for their review. Your spouse might be trying to trick you into relinquishing some of your assets.
If you find your spouse hiding assets or debt from you, you can still turn things around. Anew can help you gain clarity on your financials and move forward with confidence.
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