Strategies Abusers Use to Hide Assets

• Purposefully delaying employee bonuses, stock options or raises until a time when the asset would be considered separate property.

• Checks paid to a nonexistent employee, a friend or relative, with checks that will be voided after the divorce or given back. Sales documentation for the exchange of goods or services should be verified. Make sure that it was for legitimate purposes.

• Accounts with the abuser's name as custodian that are set up in the name of a child, using the child's Social Security number.

• If a business is owned, delaying the signing of large or long term accounts may be used to lower the value of the business. This is considered hiding assets. Check with an attorney or legal aid representative.

• Taking cash off the top without reporting it [from a business that is owned] or over inflating business expenses.

•  An abuser might not report income tax returns and financial statements, especially if they are self-employed.