Divorce can get ugly, but hiding assets is never a good idea. It is both unethical and illegal. In California, divorcing spouses are required to file forms with the court to disclose all assets, including bank accounts, real estate, and income. Giving false, incomplete, or misleading information when filing official court documents during divorce proceedings, can lead to serious consequences, including being held in contempt or being charged with perjury.
HIDING ASSETS DURING DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS
California is a community property state, which essentially means that spouses are considered a single community and any property acquired throughout the duration of the marriage is owned equally by both, regardless if a spouse is aware of the asset or not. Even if a spouse acquires and hides money or property, it is still jointly owned.
There are many ways in which spouses might try to hide assets, all of which are illegal and will result in some form of penalty. It is best to be upfront about all assets and property.
DEVALUING ASSETS
One does not have to literally hide an asset for it to be hidden. For example, the value of an asset is not always obvious. If you own property, such as a home or rental property, you are required to get an honest appraisal of the property for divorce proceedings. If you purposely understate the value of an asset, this is another form of hiding assets since you are withholding knowledge of the full and accurate value of an asset from the court. To artificially reduce or destroy the value of an asset can be considered an act of fraud.
INCOME & EXPENSES
A spouse’s income is also considered an asset. If a spouse understates their income, this is also considered hiding an asset. Expenses are also factored into the financial formula the court uses to calculate the value of marital property, so purposely overestimating would also be considered fraudulent behavior.
INVESTIGATING HIDDEN ASSETS
If you notice any red flags that suggest your spouse might be hiding assets or being misleading in any way, you should consult with an attorney and a forensic accountant who can detect the discrepancies, such as incomplete financial information or missing documents, within your ex’s finances and what he or she might be hiding.
THE PENALTIES
As previously mentioned, there are consequences to lying, hiding, or misleading the court when it comes to the value or existence of assets. Depending on the particular circumstances and nature of the deception, these penalties can vary greatly and are left to the broad discretion of the judge. Common penalties include awarding a greater distribution of assets to the other spouse, payment of the other spouse’s attorney fees, contempt, or perjury charges. Ultimately, lying is a much more costly proposition than simply being upfront and honest with the court.
PROTECT YOUR ASSETS & PROPERTY
Dividing assets and property is an extremely stressful aspect of divorce. At Stolar Law Group, our goal is to help protect your assets and resolve your property division issues. Our Beverly Hills divorce lawyer approaches each case we handle with diligence and care, providing experienced and attentive service from start to finish. Regardless of the complexity of your case, we have the knowledge and resources to reach the most effective solution for your circumstances. With more than 30 years of combined experience, you can be confident in our ability to address all of your concerns.
Learn more about how we can help you. Contact us online or call us today at 424-421-0009 to schedule a consultation.
