Hidden Assets: How to Uncover What Your Ex Is Hiding in Divorce

💰 Is your ex hiding assets? Are they draining joint accounts, concealing super, or transferring money to family and friends? You're not alone, and there are legal ways to uncover what's yours.

Learn about the most common ways people try to hide assets in divorce, including trust funds, cash jobs, disappearing assets, and hidden overseas accounts. Find out how the Australian Family Court courts handle these cases, what legal tools you can use to track down missing assets, and what to consider doing before mediation or family court.

If you’re frustrated by a lack of financial disclosure or suspect your ex is hiding money, this episode is a must-listen.

🚨 Disclaimer: This podcast provides general legal education for Australia and is not a substitute for independent legal advice. Always consult a qualified lawyer for guidance tailored to your situation.

🎧 Listen to This Episode If You:

✅ Believe your ex is hiding assets or not fully disclosing their financial situation
❓ Have noticed money disappearing from joint accounts
💡 Suspect your ex is hiding superannuation, cash jobs, or business earnings
🛡 Want to know what legal steps you can take before mediation or court
📚 Wondering how courts handle trusts, business assets, or overseas properties
⚖️ Are frustrated with non-disclosure and want to know what the courts will do about it

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

1️⃣ Draining Joint Accounts: Can You Get the Money Back?

• What happens if your ex drains your shared bank accounts?

• How courts handle post-separation spending and financial misconduct

• The June 2025 legal changes that strengthen court powers

2️⃣ Superannuation & Hidden Retirement Funds

• What if your ex refuses to disclose their superannuation?

• How to use a Form 6 Superannuation Information Request to uncover hidden funds

• What to do if your ex moves super into an unknown fund

3️⃣ Trust Funds, Businesses & Company-Owned Assets

• How trusts and companies are used to shield assets

• Can the court look beyond legal structures and seize hidden wealth?

• Key cases where courts have torn apart the corporate veil

4️⃣ Cash Jobs & Undeclared Income

• How to prove hidden earnings if your ex claims they’re broke

• What happens if they suddenly switch to cash-in-hand work?

• The legal risks of raising undeclared income in court

5️⃣ Selling Assets for Cheap to Friends & Family

• What happens if your ex "sells" a car, boat, or home for way below market value?

• How courts add back assets that were unfairly transferred before settlement

• Proving the real value of sold assets in mediation and court

6️⃣ Disappearing Assets: What If They Just Vanish?

• Can the court still count an asset if it’s been hidden or moved?

• Why you don’t need to prove where it went, just that it existed

• How judges handle cases of missing assets

7️⃣ Hiding Money & Property Overseas

• How to track down offshore assets

• Can you subpoena foreign banks and property records?

• What happens if your ex successfully hides assets abroad?

8️⃣ What If Your Ex Refuses to Do Financial Disclosure?

• The new Family Law Act amendments that make disclosure mandatory

• What courts can do if your ex refuses to provide financial documents

• How to force disclosure before mediation or court

📌 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

📜 Superannuation Information Request (Form 6) – ATO Superannuation Search
📜 Family Court Superannuation Search via Comm Courts Portal – Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
📜
📜Disclosure Checklist - https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/disclosurechecklist

🎙 More Podcast Episodes You’ll Love:

• Untangling Valuations: How to Find Out What Assets Are Worth https://youtu.be/pkNKwBXMu9I?si=Lq2Q0UvXh_AVHcJH

• DIY Disclosure: What to Do If Your Ex Won’t Provide Financial Records https://youtu.be/c273nHUN9DE?si=nshmPtJwqkdk8hAO

• Avoiding Traps: Why You Should Never Negotiate Percentages Before Knowing the Property Pool https://youtu.be/D8xj-52q9ZE?si=N_-NKmXlszdXa-Rb

⏳ Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction: Uncovering Hidden Assets in Divorce

00:14 Common Tactics for Hiding Assets

01:40 Legal Rights and Draining Joint Accounts

04:29 Superannuation and Hidden Funds

06:55 Trust Funds and Corporate Veils

08:41 Valuing Businesses in Divorce

12:25 Cash in Hand and Undeclared Income

15:21 Selling Assets to Friends

16:04 Burnt Leg and Old Cars

16:27 Valuing and Insuring Classic Cars

17:01 Court's Approach to Asset Distribution

18:57 Handling Disappearing Assets

19:48 Hiding Assets Overseas

22:37 Non-Disclosure Issues

28:04 Child Support and Hidden Assets

29:32 Final Thoughts and Legal Advice

Emergency Contacts:

💜 Women’s Shelter Service: Call 1800 811 811
⚖️ Legal Aid: Visit Legal Aid Website
📞 Lifeline (24/7 Crisis Support): Call 13 11 14
👨‍👦 Mensline Australia: Call 1300 789 978 for confidential support for men
👧 Kids Help Line: Call 1800 551 800 for young people needing help
🚨 National Domestic Violence Hotline (1800 RESPECT): Call 1800 737 732
🖤 Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1800 019 123

🎙 Final Thoughts:

Hiding assets in divorce is surprisingly common, but there are legal ways to track down missing money and hold your ex accountable. Whether it’s hidden super, business income, or overseas assets, knowing your rights is the first step.

💬 Have questions about disclosure or asset-hiding? Go See A Lawyer ASAP Drop us a message or share your experience in the comments!

👉 Hit play now to learn how to uncover hidden assets in divorce. 🎧

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