Hidden Assets & Financial Control Attorneys in New Jersey & New York
They controlled your heart now they’re trying to control your money.
For years, you may have trusted your partner to “handle the finances.”
Now, you’re realizing how dangerous that trust can be.
When one spouse uses money as a weapon, the divorce becomes more than emotional it’s a fight for survival. Hidden accounts. Manipulated statements. Missing records.
Financial control is one of the most common and least visible forms of domestic abuse.
At Ziegler Law Group LLC, we specialize in uncovering concealed assets and restoring financial balance. Whether your spouse is hiding income, undervaluing business interests, or manipulating property transfers, our attorneys combine forensic strategy with legal precision to expose the truth.
Because your future shouldn’t depend on what your spouse lets you see.
Understanding Financial Control in Divorce
Financial control happens when one partner dominates access to money, accounts, and financial information often making the other dependent and powerless.
It can look like:
- Having no access to bank accounts or passwords
- Being given “an allowance” or needing permission to spend
- Suddenly being cut off financially after separation
- Finding inconsistencies in tax returns or business income
This form of abuse doesn’t leave bruises it leaves fear, confusion, and uncertainty.
And in divorce, it becomes a high-stakes game of concealment.
At Ziegler Law Group, we’ve seen spouses hide everything from crypto wallets to real estate in relatives’ names. But no matter how complex the scheme, the truth leaves a trail and we know how to find it.
Common Warning Signs of Hidden Assets
If your spouse managed all the finances, you might not know what’s missing but your instincts are usually right.
Here are some red flags that suggest hidden assets:
- Sudden cash withdrawals or unexplained transfers
- Unreported income or “new” business expenses
- Gifts or loans to friends or family members
- Overpayment of taxes or credit cards (to reclaim later)
- Cryptocurrency activity or offshore accounts
- Changes in mailing addresses for bank statements
In divorce, these tactics aren’t just unfair they’re illegal.
Our firm works with forensic accountants, valuation experts, and investigators to uncover what your spouse doesn’t want the court to see.
How Hidden Assets Impact Equitable Distribution
Both New Jersey and New York follow equitable distribution laws, meaning marital assets must be divided fairly not necessarily equally.
But when one spouse hides property or income, the division becomes distorted.
For example:
- If your spouse underreports business profits, you may lose a significant portion of marital equity.
- If offshore or investment accounts go undisclosed, you could miss out on hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- If property is “transferred” to relatives, it may still be recoverable through legal tracing.
At Ziegler Law Group, we identify, value, and reclaim those assets through strategic discovery, subpoenas, and forensic analysis ensuring you receive what is rightfully yours.
Our Process: Detecting Hidden Assets
Every financial abuse case begins with one goal: visibility.
Our attorneys use a multi-layered forensic approach to uncover the truth:
- Full Financial Discovery – subpoenas to banks, employers, brokers, and accountants.
- Lifestyle Analysis – comparing spending patterns with reported income.
- Forensic Accounting – tracing funds through tax returns, wire transfers, and digital ledgers.
- Business Valuation – reviewing corporate records, profit/loss statements, and deferred compensation.
- Asset Recovery Litigation – pursuing court orders to freeze or reclaim concealed property.
Recently, our legal and forensic team uncovered $1.8 million hidden across shell companies and cryptocurrency accounts. The client walked away not just with financial recovery but with closure.
When Financial Control Becomes Financial Abuse
Financial control is often a form of coercive control a pattern of domination that leaves victims feeling trapped.
In some cases, it’s considered domestic violence under New Jersey law.
If your partner:
- Restricts your access to funds
- Monitors every purchase
- Threatens to withhold money for compliance
- Uses debt or credit in your name without consent
You may be entitled to additional protective measures, including restraining orders, financial disclosures, and emergency support orders.
Our attorneys handle these situations with the utmost discretion, working closely with financial experts and support professionals to rebuild both your autonomy and your security.
The Role of Forensic Accountants
Numbers don’t lie but people do.
That’s why we partner with elite forensic accountants who specialize in tracking hidden assets across borders, currencies, and corporate layers.
Their methods include:
- Reviewing tax returns for discrepancies
- Examining business ledgers and false deductions
- Detecting unreported income or deferred bonuses
- Tracing offshore accounts and crypto transactions
- Identifying property hidden under trusts or third parties
The result: a complete financial picture that stands up in court.
Whether your spouse earns income from investments, partnerships, or private companies, our team ensure no dollar goes unaccounted for.
Mediation vs. Litigation: When to Take the Fight to Court
In some divorces, mediation may help uncover missing assets quietly especially when both parties agree to cooperate.
But when one spouse is deceptive or evasive, litigation becomes necessary.
Our trial attorneys are seasoned in handling high-conflict financial cases before NJ Family Court and NY Supreme Court, using aggressive discovery motions and expert testimony to expose deceit and secure fair division.
Our motto:
“We negotiate from transparency and litigate when truth is buried.”
Tax Implications and Asset Division Strategy
Uncovering assets is only half the battle, dividing them wisely is the other.
We coordinate with tax professionals and financial planners to ensure that the final settlement preserves your wealth and minimizes penalties.
Our team advises on:
- Capital gains exposure in real estate sales
- Tax consequences of investment liquidations
- Retirement account divisions (QDROs)
- Corporate asset transfers and buyouts
- Rebuilding credit and financial independence
Because recovering hidden wealth means little if it’s lost again to taxes or poor planning.
How Ziegler Law Group Protects You
Every case we handle blends legal expertise, financial intelligence, and emotional clarity.
We provide:
- Legal Shield – protective orders, discovery enforcement, and asset freezes.
- Financial Clarity – forensic tracking, valuation, and equitable division.
- Emotional Support – guidance that restores your sense of power and stability.
With over 100 years of combined experience handling complex divorce and financial fraud cases, Ziegler Law Group has recovered millions in hidden or misappropriated assets for clients across New Jersey and New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my spouse is hiding assets?
Look for sudden financial changes, missing records, new accounts, or lifestyle expenses that don’t match reported income.
Can hidden assets be recovered after divorce?
Yes. If you discover concealed assets later, the court may reopen the case and impose penalties, including fines and reallocation of property.
What is financial abuse in divorce?
It’s when one partner controls access to money or uses finances to manipulate or intimidate the other. It can influence property division and support orders.
How does Ziegler Law Group find hidden assets?
We work with forensic accountants, issue subpoenas, analyze tax data, and trace funds across multiple jurisdictions.
Will I have to go to court?
Not always. Many cases are resolved through discovery and negotiation but if your spouse refuses transparency, our team is prepared to litigate aggressively.
Your spouse may control the money but not the truth. Let our team trusted by judges, respected by peers, and chosen by professionals represent you.
Schedule a confidential consultation with a family law attorney in New Jersey or New York today.
Call us at: 973-533-1100 New Jersey Office: 651 W. Mt Pleasant Ave, Suite 150, Livingston, NJ 07039
New York Offices: 3 Columbus Circle, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019 | 107 North Main Street, New City, New York 10956
