To protect your right to a fair division of marital property, you should understand the role of forensic accounting in Bellevue high-asset divorce cases. Our attorneys at Twyford Law Office have 40 years of experience representing clients in high-stakes divorce cases involving complicated financial situations. We work with other experienced professionals using forensic accounting to discover all assets in a divorce and pursue our clients’ claims.

Divorce is a life-changing event, and protecting your wealth is essential. Our holistic approach to cases focuses on establishing a strong financial foundation to support the rest of your life. 

How Asset Division Works and Forensic Accounting’s Role in the Process

The equitable division of property is a complex process for divorcing spouses with high-value assets. If spouses cannot agree to the terms of asset division in a settlement agreement, the court will decide. Courts in Bellevue rely on factors stated in RCW 26.09.080 to evaluate how to divide the property and liabilities in a divorce. These factors include the length of the marriage, each spouse’s economic circumstances, and the nature of the property (i.e., separate versus community property). 

The process for dividing assets in a divorce generally begins with each spouse’s disclosure of their assets and liabilities. The disclosure will identify the nature of the asset or liability and its current value, among other information. It is not uncommon for one spouse to be more knowledgeable about the financial aspects of the marriage than the other spouse. Thus, the disclosure process is key for ensuring the spouses are evenly matched when negotiating property division. The role of forensic accounting in high-asset divorce cases in Bellevue is to review the information provided in the financial disclosure to identify potential gaps, errors, and concerns. For example, forensic accounting can help with the following types of issues:

  • Classifying assets as separate or community property 
  • Reviewing the appraisal value of illiquid assets (e.g., real estate, business interests, artwork, collectibles)
  • Tracing financial transactions to discover hidden accounts or assets
  • Confirming each spouse’s contributions to the purchase of assets or the payment of liabilities

Twyford Law Office works with experienced accountants, appraisers, and retirement planners to protect the interests of our clients in the financial aspects of their divorce. The division of assets often results in a series of events, ranging from tax consequences to the future operation of a business. Forensic accounting highlights these issues so clients can make informed decisions that align with their goals.

What Happens if Forensic Accounting Discovers Hidden Assets After a Divorce? 

Spouses sometimes discover information about the assets or debts from the marriage after finalizing the divorce. In these situations, the role of forensic accounting may also involve contesting the current terms of a high-asset divorce case in Bellevue, such as the division of property or spousal support

Twyford Law Office helps clients facing these issues pursue a modification of their divorce decree under RCW 26.09.170. This may happen in cases where the discovery of a previously unknown financial issue results in a substantial change of circumstances.

If You Are Facing a Bellevue High-Asset Divorce Case, Contact Us To Learn About the Role of Forensic Accounting

We cannot understate the major role of forensic accounting in Bellevue high-asset divorce cases. Financial information is power in pursuing an equitable distribution of property and monetary support after a divorce. 

Our lawyers at Twyford Law Office give clients confidence in their cases by working with experienced forensic accountants and developing an aggressive strategy for meeting their goals after a divorce. Schedule a free consultation with our team today.