Unpicking complicated assets needs an expert. If you believe your ex is hiding assets or stalling with information, their business or property valuations seem low, or their declared income does not match their lifestyle, our in-house forensic accountants can help.
read moreThis dedicated team works alongside our lawyers, ensuring that we can quickly provide accurate advice and insight without waiting for the work to be outsourced.
Our forensic accountants have deep expertise within this highly specialist field and are on hand as part of your divorce team if and when you need them. We have offices in major cities and towns across England and Wales, so you’ll find support from our specialist teams wherever you are.
What is a forensic divorce accountant?
It is essential when coming to a financial settlement in divorce that there is full disclosure from both parties in order to achieve a fair outcome. A forensic divorce accountant is a highly specialised expert who will go through the finances with a fine-toothed comb, specifically for anything unusual, and present them in a matter easily digestible to the courts.
How can a forensic accountant help with your divorce?
A forensic accountant uses investigatory and accounting methods to provide a thorough audit of the financial situation and any issues, such as if you suspect your ex of hiding assets, or purposefully stalling proceedings. They will work closely with your legal team to ensure any problems discovered through the investigation are dealt with swiftly and efficiently, ultimately providing you with an outcome based on full disclosure of assets.
Do you need an accountant for divorce?
The need for the services of a forensic divorce accountant will be based on the transparency around your marital finances . For more information, contact Stowe Family Law today.
Going through a divorce can be a challenging time for any family but even more so if you have reason to think your spouse has not been honest about any financial aspect of the marriage. All finances must be declared to ensure a fair settlement and it’s illegal for one party to hide certain elements of their assets.
read moreWorking with a forensic accounting firm, you will get a true picture and accurate value of the finances and assets of the marriage and the discovery of any hidden assets and undervaluation’s if needed.
Most importantly, you can be reassured that you will get a fair financial settlement based on its true value.
If a couple can’t amicably decide how to divide up their assets, then the Court will order a settlement that’s deemed fair to both parties. Multiple factors will be taken into consideration including any dependent children, the family’s income, financial needs and responsibilities and the standard of living during the marriage.
read moreEvery divorce is different and circumstances are unique to the particular couple so there’s no specific law that states how exactly assets should be divided upon separation.
Full and frank disclosure is essential to reaching a fair settlement. Being open about your finances and allowing scrutiny where necessary increases trust and makes a mutually-beneficial, quicker and cheaper settlement easier to reach.
As the only national law firm fully dedicated to family matters, our expert team offers professional advice so you can make a fully informed decision about your divorce.
We are proud to be rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot. Check out our reviews to see what our previous clients have said about our service.
We feature in The Legal 500 rankings and are fully authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
We keep you informed. Take a look at our support section, which features a range of helpful guides, focusing on important topics including finances and mediation.
Various financial records and assets can be uncovered by our forensic accounting team. These might include family bank accounts, business interests, property, pensions and other assets, including cryptocurrencies. Forensic divorce accountants seek to uncover any discrepancies over financial assets and provide a clear picture of a family’s income and assets, to ensure a fair settlement.
Forensic accountants are often instructed in divorce proceedings where one party has more financial control than the other. For example, one spouse might have been in charge of the family’s finances, dealing with income, outgoings and all other financial assets. In cases like this, it’s important to gain transparency to be able to settle a divorce in the fairest possible way
A forensic divorce accountant uses skills such as auditing, investigating and financial management to provide a clear report of a family’s assets. This could involve analysing bank accounts, reports, transactions, spending habits, tax records and tracing any hidden assets. The financial investigation involved in such cases is thorough and often complex.
Due to the complexities of such investigations, it’s advisable to seek support as early as possible to ensure the best possible outcome from the divorce.
Cohabiting is becoming increasingly common, with the amount of cohabiting couples having risen significantly since 2011, especially across younger age groups. But cohabiting couples do not have the same legal rights as those who are married; for example, the right to inherit a partner’s assets, pension or property.
There is no law that provides guidance on financial matters should a couple in this situation separate, so forensic divorce accountants would not be called upon by a cohabiting partner.
If a marriage ends in hostile or disharmonious circumstances, then one spouse could try to prevent the other party from gaining access to certain assets. This can be the case especially in high-net-worth divorce situations. A spouse might try to sell off assets, hide particular finances or spend a large proportion of funds to reduce what their ex-partner might be entitled to.
In these situations, a forensic accountant can work to uncover any hidden assets or unusual expenditure. In some circumstances, a freezing order might be granted by the Court to protect any relevant assets and ensure that they can’t be sold or given away.
Because the investigative work carried out by our forensic divorce accounting team varies depending on each unique situation, there is no one set cost. Our forensic accountants will discuss your options and circumstances with you and provide an estimate of likely costs, depending on the work involved to ensure transparency.
Sign up for advice on divorce and relationships from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts.
Privacy Policy