If you and your spouse are planning to divorce, you may be spending a lot of time wondering what your future will look like. Certainly, you can expect many changes, one of which is your financial situation. Whether you will have a secure financial future or struggle to make ends meet may depend a great deal on the outcome of your property division.

However, if your spouse is not completely forthcoming about any marital assets in his or her possession, your chances of obtaining a full and fair portion of joint property may be low. It is not always easy to tell if a spouse is hiding assets, but there are some clues that may suggest a more careful investigation is warranted.

Where have they gone?

There is no longer a valid generalization for which spouses are more likely to hide assets. Husbands and wives often earn their own income, and one or the other may be less involved in the management of the household affairs. Therefore, if you suspect your spouse is keeping property away from you as you prepare for asset division, you would be wise to look in some of the usual places, including:

• Overpayment of taxes or debts, indicating your spouse may intend to seek a refund after the divorce is final
• The recent purchase of antiques, art or other valuables in which you spouse had no previous interest
• Overdue bonuses, commissions or overtime pay that your spouse has asked his or her employer to hold until after the divorce
• The purchase of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, or the transfer of funds to online accounts like Paypal
• Withdrawals from your bank accounts, even in small amounts, that seem to be occurring more frequently for no apparent reason
• Money or deposits missing from investment funds or retirement accounts, or the sudden closing of a pension account
• The transfer of assets to your children, business partners or friends to hold until the divorce is over
• The establishment of a new business, which may be a dummy company for hiding assets

If you are suddenly unable to access your joint bank accounts because your spouse has changed the passwords or diverted the statements away from your home address, this could be a sign that activity is taking place without your knowledge or permission. Withholding assets during divorce is against the law, and you have the right to a full and true disclosure. You may find that your New Jersey attorney has the resources to seek out those assets that you deserve and need for a stable future.