It’s important to keep in mind that navigating a divorce is unlikely to be easy. Every element of the process can impact you emotionally, affect your mental health, and turn into a legal complication. That’s why it’s important to hire an experienced divorce lawyer to help you through each step. It’s entirely possible that your spouse may try to hurt you financially by hiding assets. A St. Louis divorce lawyer can help you prevent that from happening.
Hiding assets in a divorce is considered a crime in Missouri. If your spouse tries to hide assets and is discovered by the court, they could very well face serious legal consequences, including hefty fines and possibly even jail time. During the divorce process, each party is expected to act with integrity, honesty, and respect. If one spouse is caught hiding assets, they will also be viewed as the bad guy by the court, which can positively influence the other spouse’s settlement.
Why Should You Hire a Lawyer?
There are many important reasons why you should hire a divorce lawyer to represent your interests. First and foremost, you don’t want to end up confused or taken advantage of during this process. It’s likely your spouse will hire their own lawyer. You will want legal help, too. At Stange Law Firm, our multi-state legal team has helped countless clients across the country by providing them with a passionate, empathetic, and personalized approach to their divorces.
According to fairly recent statistical information collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the rate of divorce in Missouri is one of the highest in the entire country at 2.7 per 1,000 residents as of 2022. At the same time, the marriage rate is not that high either, with recent statistics showing that rate at 5.8 per 1,000 residents as of 2023, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. It may be good to know you’re not alone.
As you deal with the emotional and social fallout of your divorce, it’s vital that you understand there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. You shouldn’t be expected to deal with such a significant life event on your own. You may want to think about reaching out to a local divorce support group for help, such as DivorceCare or The Love Collaborative. Talking to the right people about your concerns and fears can help make things easier for you in the long run.
Hiding Assets in a Divorce
In divorces across the country, it’s far from uncommon for one partner to attempt to stash away money or assets to keep them out of the other partner’s hands. Even though it’s considered a crime in most states, it still happens in many divorces, even in Missouri. The more assets you have, the higher the chance that someone may try to hide something in the divorce. Here are some potential signs that your partner is trying to hide assets from you:
- Financial Control: Nothing speaks to the possibility of hidden marital assets more than one partner’s insistence on financial control. You don’t ever want to not be in control of your own money.
Your partner may insist on being the only one in the marriage who handles the finances. They may not even let you see how much money you actually have in any joint accounts. Gain access to your funds immediately to find out what’s happening.
- Financial Secrecy: While your partner may not be totally in control of your finances, they may still be reluctant to actually talk about your financial security. There’s nothing wrong with talking about money, but some people may try to gaslight you into thinking it is wrong. When that happens, there is likely something secretive going on. You should do some digging and find out exactly what your partner may be hiding from you.
FAQs
Q: Can a Divorce Lawyer Help Me Investigate My Spouse’s Finances?
A: Yes, your divorce lawyer can help you investigate your spouse’s finances. During the discovery process, where both sides present the evidence they have that supports their claims, your lawyer can demand access to your partner’s financial records. This includes bank statements, credit card statements, tax records, and more. If your spouse refuses to provide this information, your lawyer can subpoena your bank to get the records anyway.
Q: What Is a Strong Sign That My Spouse Is Hiding Assets?
A: There are no guaranteed signs that your spouse is hiding assets. Certain behaviors could indicate that they may be hiding assets, but they could be wrong. Every marriage is different. What may be seen as financial control for one couple may be perfectly reasonable for another couple. Financial secrecy is often a strong sign that something is being hidden away from you. You may want to go through a lawyer to find out what it might be.
Q: Is It Illegal to Hide Assets in a Missouri Divorce?
A: Yes, it is illegal to hide assets in a Missouri divorce. If your spouse is caught attempting to hide assets during your divorce, they may face severe legal consequences from the court, including substantial fines and maybe even jail time. At the very least, they will be vilified by the court for their actions, which may help your chances of a decent settlement.
Q: Can a Divorce Lawyer Really Help?
A: Yes, a divorce lawyer can really help. Divorces can be unpredictable and emotionally painful. Depending on your position, you may have trouble thinking straight on your own and preparing for legal developments you may not have expected. A good divorce lawyer can help you deal with any eventuality, including hidden assets. The help of a divorce lawyer can make all the difference in your case.
Contact a Lawyer Today
At Stange Law Firm, we can help you figure out a plan of action after learning of your spouse’s attempt to hide assets. Such actions may even help you get much more out of your divorce settlement than you expected. Reach out to speak to a valued team member about your case and the many ways we can help you.