You may be one of many Kentucky spouses who hoped to navigate the divorce process in as low-stress, economically feasible fashion as possible. Your main goal at the start was simply to protect your children’s best interests and achieve a fair and agreeable settlement so that you could move on in life and not become entangled in a drawn-out courtroom battle.
While that may have been your intent, if the other person involved has impeded the process by doing something you believe is undermining your rights as a parent or something that is dishonest, you may have reason to investigate the matter, and you can bring it to the court’s immediate attention, if necessary. If you think your spouse is hiding assets, not only can it delay successful property division proceedings, it is also illegal.
Know the signs
The last thing you need is to have your spouse telling the court that you are making false accusations as a means of revenge because of hurt feelings or resentment over past marital problems. If you believe your spouse is trying to hide assets to keep them from being subject to division, you’ll need to produce evidence to support the allegation. The following list includes the most common signs that may prompt you to further investigate a possible hidden asset situation:
- Your spouse gets defensive or angry when you ask a question about a specific financial issue.
- You discover that someone has withdrawn money from your jointly owned bank account without your knowledge or approval.
- You notice statements arriving via postal mail pertaining to a bank account you did not know existed.
- Your spouse suddenly purchases luxury items.
- Your spouse understates the value of certain assets.
- You suddenly can’t access your online accounts because someone has changed the passwords.
- Your spouse has obtained a post office box is having mail sent there instead of to your home.
- Your spouse has given money to friends or family, claiming to be paying back loans you did not know had transpired.
Trust your instincts. If you think something is not right, you can ask your spouse about it. If your conversation merely leads to further suspicion instead of a satisfactory explanation, you can take further action to confirm your suspicions. The court does not look favorably on those who try to beat the system. The court wants you to achieve a property division settlement that is fair and just. You can seek immediate support to resolve a hidden asset problem.
