Three Times That Your Divorce Attorney Will Recommend Hiring A Forensic Accountant

Posted on: 27 November 2018

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When you meet with a divorce attorney, he or she will likely reference the many experts that can help your case. One such expert is a forensic accountant — someone who can dig deep into your spouse's finances to learn information about which you may not have been aware. A forensic accountant isn't necessary in every divorce, but this professional can be instrumental in some cases. Before your attorney decides whether you involve a forensic accountant in your situation, he or she will need to know more about you and your spouse's finances. Here are some times that a forensic accountant could be warranted.

Your Spouse Hasn't Been Transparent About His/Her Income

In most marriages, both parties know approximately what their spouse earns at work. However, this isn't always the case. There are some relationships in which one person is intentionally vague about what he or she earns. For example, in the case of one spouse working and the other staying at home, the spouse who works may ensure that the other spouse always has enough money for bills and other household expenses — but never actually divulge exactly what he or she makes. Your attorney will need to know this amount to make an alimony demand, which is where a forensic accountant can come in.

You Believe That Your Spouse Is Hiding Assets

The hiding of assets is often a problem when a couple is divorcing. Someone who has more in assets than his or her spouse will hide them in different ways to prevent a judge from considering their value when making a ruling regarding alimony. You may have a suspicion that your spouse is hiding assets from you, and this can result in you getting less money in payments in the months and years ahead — something that is definitely unjust. A forensic accountant can look into the situation to determine the value of any hidden assets.

You Believe That Your Spouse Has A Second Family

It's a rude awakening when someone learns that his or her spouse appears to have a second family. Often, this can be grounds for divorce. If you're facing this situation, you're in the challenging position of knowing that your spouse has been using his or her money for another family, as well as your own. You can benefit from having a forensic accountant attempt to learn how much your spouse has spent in this manner, and your attorney can then factor this information into what you ask for in your divorce settlement.

Get in touch with a business like Scott & Scott, PC for more information.