ABSTRACT

Conducting a hidden asset investigation can be difficult or it can be easy, depending on circumstances. The word “hidden” is misleading because it sometimes happens that the assets being looked for are easily accessible, not hidden. For example, assume that an investigator’s client has reason to believe her husband is having an affair. The client intends to file a petition for divorce; she wants to know the extent and location of marital assets. The investigator knows where to look and makes a full discovery. In this hypothetical case, the assets were not actually hidden but in a place difficult for the client to find but not difficult for the investigator to find. The conclusion in this hypothetical case may not be the end point at all because the client’s husband may be keeping other assets in other places.