If the Numbers Don't Add Up, We'll Find Out Why
Divorce is hard enough without wondering whether you're negotiating against a fiction. If you suspect your spouse is hiding income, undervaluing assets, or manipulating financial records, a forensic accounting investigation gives you the real picture before you sign anything.
What Forensic Accounting Does in a Divorce Case
Most divorce attorneys are skilled at the legal process. What they need from us is the financial evidence — documented, sourced, and defensible in court. Our lead accountant holds degrees in both accounting and forensic accounting and spent five years in JP Morgan Chase's fraud department. That background is what separates a forensic investigation from a standard financial review.
We examine the full financial record of a marriage: bank accounts, tax returns, business financials, lifestyle spending, asset transfers, and more. When something doesn't line up, we dig until we understand why.
What We're Looking For
Hidden assets and manipulated income rarely disappear completely. They leave traces. Here's where we typically find them:
- Undisclosed bank or investment accounts opened before or during separation
- Business income that's been understated or deferred to reduce what shows on paper
- Inflated business expenses used to suppress reported profit
- Lifestyle spending that significantly exceeds declared income
- Transfers to third parties — friends, family members, or shell entities — timed around the divorce
- Undervalued business interests or real property
- Retirement accounts, offshore holdings, or assets that weren't disclosed in financial affidavits
If it's there, the paper trail leads somewhere. Our job is to follow it.
Who We Work With
We work directly with individuals going through divorce and with the attorneys representing them.
If you're an individual who suspects something is wrong with the numbers your spouse has presented, we can conduct an independent investigation and give you a clear, plain-English explanation of what we found — and what it means for your settlement.
If you're a family law attorney, we function as your forensic accounting partner. We produce written reports structured for litigation, and our lead accountant is available to provide expert witness testimony when the case goes to court. We understand what attorneys need from a forensic expert: accuracy, documentation, and someone who can explain complex financial findings to a judge or jury without losing the room.
Learn more about our expert witness services on the expert witness page.
Why Acting Early Matters
The earlier a forensic investigation begins, the more options your attorney has. Evidence can be requested through discovery. Depositions can be targeted. Settlement negotiations can be anchored in verified numbers rather than what your spouse chose to disclose.
Waiting until late in the process limits what's recoverable. If you have a suspicion, the right time to bring us in is now — before a settlement is on the table.
What Our Reports Look Like
A forensic accounting report is only as useful as it is clear. Ours are written to be understood — by you, by your attorney, and by a judge. We don't bury findings in accounting jargon. We explain what we found, how we found it, and what it means in plain terms.
That clarity is something our clients mention consistently. When the numbers are complex, we break them down until they aren't.
Ready to Know What the Numbers Actually Say?
If something feels off, it usually is. A forensic accounting investigation gives you the documentation to negotiate — or litigate — from a position of fact rather than suspicion. Reach out to schedule a free 30-minute consultation by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Common FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Accounting in Divorce
How do you find hidden assets in a divorce?
We cross-reference tax returns, bank records, business financials, and lifestyle data to identify inconsistencies. Common methods include tracing unexplained transfers, analyzing cash flow against reported income, reviewing business records for expense manipulation, and searching for undisclosed accounts or property. When the numbers don't match the lifestyle, that gap is where the investigation begins.Can a forensic accountant help if my spouse owns a business?
Yes — business ownership is one of the most common vehicles for hiding income or understating value in a divorce. We review business tax returns, profit and loss statements, payroll records, and owner compensation to determine whether the reported financials reflect what the business actually generates.What's the difference between a forensic accountant and a regular CPA in a divorce?
A standard CPA prepares financial statements and tax returns. A forensic accountant is trained to investigate — to find discrepancies, trace assets, and produce findings that hold up to legal scrutiny. Our lead accountant holds a dedicated forensic accounting degree, not just a CPA credential with a fraud elective.Will the findings hold up in court?
Our reports are prepared with litigation in mind. We document our methodology, source every finding, and write conclusions that can be examined and challenged. Our lead accountant also provides expert witness testimony when cases go to trial or require a formal hearing.How long does a forensic investigation take?
It depends on the complexity of the financial picture — the number of accounts, whether a business is involved, and how complete the available records are. We can give you a realistic timeline after an initial consultation.Do I need to hire an attorney before contacting you?
No. You can reach out to us directly, and we'll explain what an investigation would involve based on your situation. Many clients come to us first and then share our findings with their attorney. We also work directly with attorneys who bring us in on active cases.