How are assets commonly hidden in divorce?

The usual methods of hiding assets in divorce that a person should look out for include:

A large unexplained withdrawal or a series of withdrawals usually indicates the opening of an undisclosed secret bank account, or the hoarding of cash.

Another commonly used strategy is to transfer money, property or valuable items to friends or relatives under the guise of gifts or repayment of monies previously borrowed.

The creation of fake debts to reduce the net value of assets.

Investing in untraceable assets such as cryptocurrencies or other digital currencies. As these assets are relatively anonymous, it can make it difficult (but not impossible) to trace during financial disclosure.

Converting funds into physical assets like art, watches or antiques and then storing them in undisclosed locations or safety deposit boxes until the proceedings have ended.

Transferring assets into business entities, ventures or creating a trust is another common tactic to hide assets.

Delaying the payment of income, commission, or bonuses until after the divorce is finalised.

The intentional undervaluing of assets can artificially reduce the value of the assets available for division.

The above tactics are often used in combination and can be difficult to detect without the use of professional help, such as forensic accountants or experts in blockchain analysis.