Looking for Hidden Assets

In addition to the financial records discussed in this section, consider checking the following items in cases where you suspect the other party of hiding income and assets:

Original Tax Returns
If you have reason to believe that the tax returns given to you or your attorney are not the actual returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (or state tax department), fill out a form (Form 4506) asking the Internal Revenue Service to send you a copy of the original. Your spouse’s signature may be required if you did not sign the tax return. A court can require that your spouse provide his or her signature.

Children’s Bank Accounts
A child’s bank account might be a hiding place for money. A trace on the source of those assets could yield to discovery of more income and assets. Similarly, joint bank accounts held by a spouse and another relative also could be a hiding place for income and assets.

Safe-Deposit Boxes
Find out (perhaps through court-ordered discovery) whether your spouse has safe-deposit boxes. Check the bank records for access to the box and see if the times of access coincide with other significant events, such as receiving large amounts of money from a customer, client, or family member.

Manipulation of expenses, perks, and income
The owner of a closely held business often can manipulate expenses, perks, and income to make it appear that he or she has less income or fewer assets. If the income and assets of a business have changed significantly near the time of divorce, further comparisons and inquiries are warranted.