Depending on how your divorce ends up being settled, there may be a great deal of contention between you and your spouse that will need to be addressed. A divorce rarely comes out of nowhere. It is often the result of years of anger, disappointment, and resentment. When your spouse receives the divorce papers, their first reaction may be to retaliate. One way they can do that is by hiding assets from you. A Kansas divorce lawyer can help you with a plan.

Choosing to get divorced is a big decision, and not one you should make lightly. Nobody gets married expecting to get divorced one day, but it does happen. According to the CDC, the divorce rate in Kansas as of 2022 has been considerably lower than the national divorce rate. In Kansas, the divorce rate is only 1.9 per 1,000 residents.

However, divorces happen frequently across the state and for many reasons. If you are struggling, you should reach out to a local divorce support group, such as DivorceCare.

Asset Division in Kansas

When you decide to get divorced, your marital assets will be divided through the equitable distribution model. This means that the entirety of the marital assets will be distributed to each spouse as fairly as possible. It’s important to keep in mind that fair and equal do not always mean the same. The court will have to take many different factors into consideration to reach what they feel is an equitable amount, including the length of the marriage and each spouse’s monthly income.

During the asset division stage of your divorce, the court expects both spouses to be totally transparent about their finances and personal assets. Deliberately choosing to hide assets from your spouse can be viewed as a form of financial abuse. Financial abuse may be considered an act of domestic violence, which can seriously affect the outcome of your divorce. If you suspect that your spouse is hiding assets from you, tell your lawyer, and they can start an investigation.

Signs of Possible Hidden Assets

You may initially be reluctant to investigate your spouse for hiding money from you. It’s understandable to feel this way. However, it is crucial to have a lawyer assist you with this if you have concerns about concealed assets, as these assets can greatly affect your divorce settlement and could land your spouse in legal trouble. Hiding assets in a divorce case is a crime in Kansas. Here are some important signs that your spouse may be hiding assets from you:

  • Your spouse has control over joint finances. If your spouse, at one point, insists that they be the ones to handle all the finances in the marriage, that could be a red flag. It might indicate a history of financial abuse. If you don’t have access to your joint accounts, they may be actively trying to hide money from you. Find a way to access these accounts and find out for yourself.
  • They refuse to discuss money with you. If your spouse absolutely refuses to discuss money with you, they may be trying to hide something about their finances with the hope that you will just let it go. Discussing money is not inherently inappropriate or uncomfortable. If your spouse acts like it is, they may be trying to gaslight you into thinking you are the one with a problem.
  • They are lying about their salary. Your spouse may be making considerably more per month than they have led you to believe. They may be pocketing a chunk of their paycheck and hiding it away in a secret account you don’t know about. To throw you off, they may loudly complain about a nonexistent pay cut. They may even throw away your bank statements or withhold your banking password.

FAQs

Q: Is Hiding Assets in a Divorce Illegal?

A: Yes, hiding assets in a divorce is illegal in Kansas. When you get divorced, the court expects both spouses to be entirely honest and transparent about their finances and assets. If the court discovers you are hiding assets to keep your spouse from winning them in the divorce, the court may view you as the bad guy, which could greatly affect your divorce settlement.

Q: How Can You Tell If Your Spouse is Hiding Assets?

A: There are several ways you can tell if your spouse is hiding assets from you. However, some confirmation methods may be more challenging to carry out on your own. You may want to search through public financial records, hire a forensic accountant to look through your own finances for discrepancies, and check your joint tax records. Your lawyer can help you figure out a strong course of action.

Q: What Is a Strong Red Flag That My Spouse Is Hiding Assets?

A: Depending on your situation, there may be multiple red flags that your spouse is hiding assets. One of the most prominent indicators is secrecy. If your partner is being secretive about money, they may have something significant to hide. If your spouse refuses to discuss money or insists on handling your joint finances alone, they may be hiding assets. Concealment of assets can lead to significant repercussions during divorce proceedings.

Q: What Can a Private Investigator Do to Help?

A: There are multiple ways that a private investigator (P.I.) can help your case. The right P.I. may be able to run surveillance on your spouse and catch them in the act. They can interview people of interest and go through your spouse’s financial trail to find inconsistencies. A private investigator may be a solid option if you are seriously concerned that your spouse is hiding something.

Contact a Lawyer Today

It can feel humiliating to learn that your spouse is hiding something from you. It can remind you of why you wanted a divorce in the first place. If you suspect that your partner is hiding assets, don’t hesitate to call them out and get an investigation started.

At Stange Law Firm, we can help you with that investigation. Contact us to speak to a valued team member about a potential consultation today.