What Is a Forensic Accountant and Do You Need One in Your San Jose Divorce?
Dividing assets in a San Jose divorce is often contentious. When finances are complex, one spouse controls the books, or you suspect money has gone missing, a forensic accountant can be one of the most valuable members of your divorce team.
Our experienced San Jose divorce lawyer works alongside forensic accounting professionals to help clients uncover the full financial picture of their marriage and ensure that asset division reflects reality, not just what the other spouse chooses to disclose. Find out more about what a forensic accountant does and when to consider hiring one.
What a Forensic Accountant Does in a San Jose Divorce
A forensic accountant is trained to investigate, analyze, and present complex financial information in a legal setting. In San Jose divorce cases, their primary job is to make sure that both spouses are working from an accurate and complete picture of the marital estate.
When one spouse has controlled the finances throughout the marriage, that picture is not always easy to see. A forensic accountant commonly helps with:
- Tracing separate property commingled with marital assets.
- Identifying hidden income, undisclosed accounts, or underreported business revenue.
- Valuing a privately held business, partnership, or professional practice
- Analyzing stock portfolios, RSUs, deferred compensation, and other complex compensation structures.
- Uncovering unusual financial transactions made in the months or years leading up to the divorce filing.
- Calculating the actual income of a self-employed spouse for child or spousal support purposes.
Under California Family Code Section 721, spouses owe each other a fiduciary duty. When one conceals assets or misrepresents finances, a forensic accountant’s findings can be used to hold them accountable.
Do You Need a Forensic Accountant in Your Santa Clara County Divorce Case?
Going through divorce proceedings in the Santa Clara County Court is never easy, but not every case requires a forensic accountant. Situations where you may need one include:
- Your spouse owns or operates a business, and you have reason to question the reported income or valuation.
- They controlled all financial accounts and made unexplained withdrawals, transfers, or showed a sudden reduction in income around the time of the divorce.
- You suspect separate property was deliberately mixed with marital funds to obscure its origins.
- They have significant investments, deferred compensation, and retirement accounts.
In contested San Jose divorce cases or those involving high assets, financial accountants often play a critical role, providing analysis that courts can rely on when standard financial disclosures fall short. To discuss whether this could be beneficial in your case, contact our experienced San Jose divorce lawyer today.
Concerned About Hidden Assets? Consult Our Experienced San Jose Divorce Lawyer
If something about your spouse’s finances doesn’t add up, trust that instinct. At Argyris Mah, LLP, our experienced San Jose divorce lawyer works with forensic accounting professionals to uncover the full picture and fight for a property division that reflects what you are truly owed. To request a consultation, reach out and contact our office today.
Sources:
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=721
selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce/financial-disclosures
