Lake Charles Hidden Assets Lawyer

Lake Charles Hidden Assets Attorney

If your spouse is hiding money, you need to act quickly. Hiding assets during divorce is illegal. An aggressive approach can reveal what’s buried. A Lake Charles hidden assets lawyer can restore balance to an unfair situation.

Family Law Attorney in Lake Charles

At the Godley Law Firm, our experiences have shaped a thoughtful approach to family law. We have personally lived through divorce. This gives us a real-world understanding that we apply to every case. Our 20 years of legal experience give us a strong reputation for resolving difficult divorce issues. Our proven track record in resolving complex divorce and family matters ensures clients receive skilled guidance tailored to their unique situations. If you are facing family law issues, contact the Godley Law Firm today to schedule a consultation with an attorney who combines expertise with genuine empathy to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcome.

What Counts as a Hidden Asset?

Under Louisiana law, a hidden asset is any valuable property, tangible or intangible, that one party deliberately hides or misrepresents during divorce or other legal proceedings, like bankruptcy, to avoid disclosure or equitable division. These assets may include cash, bank accounts, real estate, investments, retirement funds, and more. Essentially, a hidden asset is anything your spouse attempts to exclude from the divorce settlement. Sometimes, assets are even transferred to friends or family members to conceal them from being disclosed.

One common tactic is overpaying taxes with the plan to request a refund later. Some create fake debt by claiming to owe money to someone who’s actually in on the scheme.

Even cryptocurrency can be hidden if your spouse keeps it off official records. These can be hard to trace, but a Lake Charles property division lawyer can find any hidden assets.

Hidden Assets Are Important

Community property law assumes both spouses have equal access to their marital assets. When one person hides something, they break that principle. That makes the property division unfair.

In Lake Charles, judges expect both parties to fully disclose their assets. If someone fails to do that, the court can penalize them. That might mean awarding a larger share of assets to the other spouse.

The harm runs deeper than just finances. Hiding assets drags the divorce out. 22.4% of Lake Charles’s population is under 18. For families with children, that extra conflict adds stress during an already difficult time. These cases usually require assistance from a Lake Charles family lawyer.

How Hidden Assets Are Discovered

Finding a hidden asset takes strategy. Here are some common ways attorneys uncover hidden assets:

• Subpoenas. Courts can force people to hand over records. These can reveal hidden accounts. They can also expose transfers your spouse didn’t disclose.
• Forensic accounting. Skilled professionals track financial movements. They look for signs like sudden expenses. Undervalued assets can be another sign of them being hidden.
• Digital discovery. Digital records can show hidden accounts. It sometimes provides instructions to others about concealment.
• Business analysis. If your spouse owns a company, they may try to hide income through fake vendors. An audit can expose this.
• Third-party interviews. Depositions from friends or relatives can confirm transfers that happen. They might know about hidden funds you wouldn’t catch alone.

With the right steps, even a well-concealed asset can be found. A Lake Charles divorce lawyer can aid in this process.

What Happens If Assets Are Found?

The court has tools to fix the damage wrought by hiding assets. If your spouse hid something, the judge can reopen the property division process. In some cases, you might be awarded more than 50% of the marital property.

Start by gathering every document you can access. Next, talk to an attorney who understands how these cases work in Lake Charles. The city has over 2,194 employer firms. If your spouse owns one, the odds of hidden income increase.

Early legal advice helps you protect your share before assets move out of reach. Avoid confronting your spouse directly. That can lead to further concealment. Let your attorney build a case using the tools the court provides.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

Hidden assets are almost expected in some cases. It’s especially common when one spouse handles the money. Owning a business provides more opportunities to hide assets.

You don’t have to catch everything yourself. Louisiana law allows you to investigate through legal channels. With the right support, you can uncover what’s hidden and make a strong case for your fair share.

If you believe something is missing, talk to a Lake Charles hidden assets lawyer who knows what to look for. The earlier you act, the more options you have.

Why Choose Us?

When you hire the Godley Law Firm, you’re hiring someone who’s lived what you’re living through now. We approach every case with the belief that no two families are the same. With us, you get honest advice and clear communication. We’re trusted in Lake Charles for all types of divorce cases.

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You don’t have to accept less than you’re owed. Don’t let a dishonest spouse walk away with more than their share. If they’ve hidden something, the law gives you the power to fight back. Schedule a consultation with the Godley Law Firm to find the truth.