New York Divorce Report - New York's Divorce and Family Law Blog

In the past, many matrimonial actions got off to a particularly acrimonious start because one spouse was fearful that the other would transfer and hide assets, cancel insurance and run up debts as soon as they received notice of the divorce. As a result, one party had to go to the expense of making a motion to obtain an injunction preventing to the other spouse from acting financially irresponsibly. Next week, a new law is goes into effect next month which makes the motion unnecessary. The law automatically enjoins parties from transferring property, relocating children, secreting assets, canceling insurance or... More

In this time of economic turmoil, I anticipate the divorce rate will increase.  When money is available to fund a comfortable lifestyle, spouses are more forgiving of minor transgressions. But, when there is less cash available, it is more difficult of overlook a spouse’s foibles and failings. So, as the marriages begin to unravel, the inclination of some disreputable spouses may be to hide or stash away marital assets. Divorce 360.com offers some tips to Know When your Spouse is Hiding Cash. Some of most common methods of hiding money are:   moving money from a joint account to an individual one; putting... More

A recent study discovered that 20% of divorcing couples tried to conceal assets or income from the spouse. As reported in the Telegraph: The study - by the accounting firm Grant Thornton, which surveyed 100 family lawyers - found that husbands were much more dishonest when a marriage crumbled. In cases where assets had been hidden, 88 per cent involved men concealing wealth from their wives. Just two per cent involved women hiding assets. In the remainder of cases, both partners tried to conceal wealth from one another. . . . "Men are seeing these huge settlements and they are... More

The New York Times featured a front page story on how computers, blackberries, cell phones and other electronic devices are being used to discover adulterous relationships and hidden assets. The Mississippi Family Law Blog points out these electronic devises all leave a  trail which may be discovered during the course of litigation. Folks need to understand that if you use a computer or a phone, you are leaving an electronic trail which can easily be followed. Once divorce proceedings begin, the discovery process can allow your spouse to discover e-mails and inspect computer hard drives. Just because you hit the... More