Tips on Searching for Hidden Assets

• Investigate to find out if real estate has been given away by checking with your county records office. Many counties have online access to these records.

• Check motor vehicle registry to find out if a car has been given away.

• Look on credit card records to discover money hidden by an overpayment.

• Check bank and stock records for evidence of cashed in stocks or bonds, withdrawals from bank accounts or receipt of money by someone who then deposited or invested it or used it to buy something of value.

• If your signature was faked on a deed or other asset that was given away, have a handwriting expert verify the forgery.

• Use the "discovery" process in which you ask someone oral or written questions to be answered under oath or produce certain documents for you to examine and copy. You may need the court's permission for anyone except your spouse, but permission is usually given if you can show likelihood of learning information relevant to the divorce.