Divorce isn’t always the end of the investigation. A relationship may have ended, but untangling two people’s financial lives can be considerably more complicated.
Property. Savings. Investments. Businesses. Bank Accounts.
And occasionally, the suspicion that something is missing from the list.
During divorce proceedings, financial disclosure is intended to provide an open and accurate account of each party’s financial circumstances, including assets, income and liabilities. But what happens when there is reason to believe there something hasn’t made it onto that list?
A recent case in Scotland demonstrates why trying to get creative with financial disclosure can create considerably more problems than it solves.
A serving police officer, Michelle McFadden, admitted attempted fraud after falsely representing that there was no money held in a credit union account during divorce proceedings. The sum involved was ultimately £2,300, with altered account information reportedly showing a balance of zero.
Money tends to leave a trail. Moving it, transferring it or failing to mention an account doesn’t necessarily make the underlying records disappear.
Where records exist, an investigator knows where to start looking.
When questions remain about someone’s financial circumstances, Taylor Investigations can help establish the facts. Our bank account searches can help identify accounts connected to an individual that may warrant further enquiry, while asset tracing goes further, investigating potential property, businesses, directorships, and other financial interests.
We don’t access private online banking, balances or transaction histories. Instead, we conduct lawful enquiries to identify information that can assist clients and their legal advisers in determining what may require further examination.
Whether an investigation uncovers a previously unknown piece of the financial puzzle or provides reassurance that the available evidence doesn’t support the original concern, the objective remains the same: replace assumptions with facts and give you a clearer picture from which to move forward.
So, what happens if we find something?
Our findings are provided to the client and their solicitor, who can assess its relevance to the financial proceedings and determine whether any further enquiries or legal steps are appropriate.
And what if we don’t find anything?
That doesn’t mean the investigation wasn’t worthwhile. Establishing that the available evidence doesn’t support the original concern can provide valuable clarity and allow the client and their legal team to move forward from a more informed position.
Divorce and financial proceedings can already involve enough uncertainty, so when something doesn’t add up adding more assumptions rarely helps.
Whether something is found or the original concern is put to rest, the aim remains the same: establish the facts and provide the clarity needed to move forward.
If you require asset tracing for family court matters, don’t hesitate to get in touch for a confidential discussion.
e[email protected] | 0330 090 4031 | www.taylorinvestigations.co.uk