When money is on the line in a divorce, business dissolution, or civil lawsuit, transparency is often the first casualty. One party may attempt to undervalue their net worth to avoid paying a fair settlement. This is not just unethical. It is often illegal.
At Hidden Asset Search, we specialize in exposing these financial deceptions. We provide the intelligence you need to secure a fair outcome. This guide explains exactly what an asset search entails and the specific methods we use to uncover wealth that others try to keep in the dark.
What Is a Hidden Asset Investigation?
A hidden asset investigation is a forensic deep dive into an individual’s or entity’s financial history. Unlike a standard credit check, which only looks at voluntary debts and credit lines, an asset investigation actively searches for wealth that has been intentionally obscured.
We utilize Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), proprietary databases, and forensic accounting techniques to locate:
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Real Property: Vacation homes, commercial buildings, or land held under different names.
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Financial Accounts: Bank balances, brokerage accounts, and retirement funds.
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Business Interests: Shell companies, partnerships, and silent investor roles.
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Physical Assets: Vehicles, boats, aircraft, and artwork.
5 Common Ways People Hide Money
If you suspect your spouse or business partner is concealing funds, you are likely noticing subtle behavioral changes. Most people hiding assets follow a predictable playbook. Here are the five most common tactics we encounter during our investigations.
1. The "Friendly" Debt
A common strategy involves creating fake loans. The subject “borrows” a large sum of money from a friend or family member and signs a promissory note. This creates a fake liability on their balance sheet, lowering their net worth. After the divorce or lawsuit is finalized, the “loan” is forgiven or the money is secretly returned.
2. Overpaying the IRS
This method is simple but effective. The subject intentionally overpays their estimated taxes for the year. The money sits with the IRS or state tax board, safe from immediate discovery in a bank account. Once the settlement is signed, they file for a refund and receive the cash tax-free.
3. Custodial Accounts for Children
Parents may open custodial accounts (UTMA/UGMA) in the name of a child or relative. They transfer significant funds into these accounts, claiming it is for the child’s future. In reality, they retain control over the account and withdraw the funds for themselves once the legal dust settles.
4. Shell Companies and LLCs
Sophisticated subjects often use corporate structures to mask ownership. They might purchase a property or vehicle in the name of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) registered in a state like Delaware or Nevada, which offer high privacy protections. Without a professional investigation, these assets appear to belong to a generic company rather than the individual.
5. Cryptocurrency and Digital Wallets
Digital currency is the modern offshore account. Subjects convert cash into Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins and move it to a “cold wallet” (a physical device like a USB drive). Since these accounts are not linked to a bank by name, they often bypass standard discovery requests.
How We Uncover the Truth
Finding these assets requires more than a Google search. We use a multi-tiered approach to trace the flow of funds and identify inconsistencies in the subject’s lifestyle.
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Database Analysis: We cross-reference billions of public records to link addresses, phone numbers, and associates to hidden business filings.
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Surveillance: We verify if the subject’s lifestyle matches their reported income. Driving new cars, taking lavish vacations, or renovating a home while claiming poverty creates leverage for your legal team.
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Digital Forensics: We trace the “on-ramps” and “off-ramps” of cryptocurrency transactions to link digital wallets to the subject’s bank accounts.
Why You Need a Professional Investigator
Attempting to find these assets yourself can be dangerous. It can alert the subject and cause them to move the money again. Furthermore, evidence obtained improperly may be inadmissible in court.
Our team operates with strict adherence to the law. We provide you with a comprehensive, court-admissible report that details our findings. This empowers your attorney to demand full financial disclosure and secure the settlement you deserve.
Do not settle for less than the truth. If you suspect assets are being hidden from you, contact Hidden Asset Search today for a confidential consultation.