Wilson Whitaker Rynell

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972-248-8080 DALLAS
713-830-2207 HOUSTON
512-691-4100 AUSTIN
wilson whitaker rynell attorneys and counselors at law logo
972-248-8080 DALLAS
713-830-2207 HOUSTON
512-691-4100 AUSTIN

Hidden Assets in Divorce Cases in Texas

ATTORNEYS IN DALLAS

Strategies for legally safeguarding assets in divorce

Hidden Assets in Divorce Cases

In Texas, any property acquired during a marriage is considered community property and belongs to both spouses unless proven otherwise, regardless of the individual who acquired it. Cases involving high net worth individuals or significant differences in earnings between spouses may lead to one spouse hiding or diverting assets to avoid dividing them. In some cases, one spouse may not be aware of the full extent of assets accumulated during the marriage, making it easier for the other spouse to conceal them.

Signs of Hidden Assets in Divorces

There are several indicators that your spouse may be attempting to conceal assets during a divorce. For instance, your spouse may hire one or more financial advisors before or after filing for divorce. While this may be a regular practice, it is essential to scrutinize the services provided and transactions undertaken by the financial planners to determine if any marital property was transferred. Additionally, if your spouse owns a business, it would be wise to request documentation of all business assets, payroll, bank, and tax records to assess if the business is being used to distribute assets. An unexpected rise in business expenditures may suggest an effort to mask income as expenses. Your spouse may also sell or transfer assets to relatives or friends to regain them after the divorce is finalized. Lastly, your spouse may move assets to offshore accounts as they are harder to track and may not be easily accessible through the discovery process.

Uncovering Hidden Assets During Divorce Cases

If you suspect that your spouse is concealing assets during your divorce proceedings or when you're planning to file for divorce, it's crucial to collect as much evidence as possible. The discovery process plays a crucial role in this, enabling your lawyer to gain information about any assets accumulated during the marriage and assess whether your spouse is attempting to hide any property. Your attorney can use interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and requests for admissions to obtain information about your spouse's bank accounts, tax returns, retirement accounts, and any overseas accounts. If your case is complicated, a forensic accountant may be hired to investigate whether your spouse is hiding assets and to verify the validity of any transfers or transactions. It's essential that your attorney acts promptly to ensure that discovery requests are answered completely and that no assets are left undisclosed.

Another vital tool in determining whether all assets have been accounted for is the inventory and appraisal of all marital assets and debts. In Texas, your spouse will be required to prepare and file an inventory and appraisal and swear under oath as to its accuracy. Comparing all financial documentation and records received from your spouse with the inventory and appraisal can be helpful in verifying that all marital property has been disclosed.

Uncovering Hidden Assets After Divorce

In Texas, if assets that were concealed during a divorce are uncovered after the divorce has been finalized, the Texas Family Code provides a unique post-divorce remedy in the form of a suit to divide undivided property. To file this type of suit, the assets in question must have existed while the divorce was ongoing. In determining whether to divide assets after a divorce is final, a court will consider whether the spouse intentionally and fraudulently hid assets, or if it was an innocent mistake. If the property was not disclosed through discovery or the inventory and appraisal, it is likely that it was intentionally hidden. Additionally, it's crucial that the divorce decree contained language allowing for the division of undisclosed assets. Your lawyer should request the court to prohibit any language that automatically awards assets in a party's name to that party, as this would prevent you from pursuing a suit to recover hidden assets that surface after the divorce is final.

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Best Texas Divorce Lawyers

Our Dallas Divorce Attorneys Serve Clients Throughout Texas


In order to best prepare yourself during the divorce process, it is vital that you have a qualified divorce attorney by your side. Our divorce law firm is dedicated to providing knowledgeable, professional, and effective legal counsel for all types of family and divorce matters. When you work with our experienced Dallas family law attorneys, you can trust that we will have your best interests in mind.

Speak with an Experienced Divorce Attorney

You have the right to receive a just and equitable portion of the property and assets accumulated during the duration of your marriage. The attorneys at Wilson Whitaker Rynell have considerable experience handling divorce cases that involve intricate financial matters and can work to uncover the hidden assets that you have a right to. Our firm represents clients in divorce cases in various Texas cities, including Dallas, Austin, Houston, Fort Worth, and all cities within Dallas County, Tarrant County, Collin County, and Denton County.

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By Leigh Whitaker January 28, 2025
Female Divorce Attorneys in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area In many instances, divorce cases are challenging and emotionally taxing experiences. For this reason, it’s common for people to prefer working with an attorney of the same gender because they feel as though the attorney can empathize and understand their situation more. At the end of the day, the gender of your attorney may not affect the outcome of your case, but it’s important to feel as comfortable as possible while navigating through the process. At Wilson Whitaker Rynell, our experienced female divorce attorneys offer compassionate and empathetic approaches while they develop a comprehensive legal strategy to represent you. Why Should You Choose a Female Divorce Lawyer? There are many reasons why hiring a female divorce attorney can help you throughout your divorce. For one, they often have experience working on issues that disproportionately affect women in divorce such as spousal support (alimony), child custody disputes, and asset division. Additionally, female divorce lawyers offer a unique level of empathy, understanding, and communication. As a result, many clients feel that they are more approachable and compassionate, which is beneficial when dealing with the emotional turmoil of the process. More importantly, female divorce attorneys are more familiar with how the court treats women in divorce cases and use this knowledge to strategically protect their clients’ interests, whether male or female. Why Our Female Divorce Attorneys May be Right for You At Wilson Whitaker Rynell, our female divorce attorneys are skilled, knowledgeable professionals, they also have many years of experience in handling complex divorce cases. Whether it’s issues surrounding custody of children, alimony, or asset division, our female divorce lawyers ensure each client receives high-quality legal advice. Our firm’s female divorce attorneys provide the highest level of personal attention, ensuring that each client’s unique needs and concerns are addressed through every step. Unique Challenges Women Face in Family Law Disputes in Texas Family law disputes can be emotionally charged and legally complex, especially for women navigating the process in Texas. Women often encounter unique challenges due to their roles in the marriage and family dynamic, particularly when it comes to child custody, child support, and the division of marital assets. Child Custody Challenges In many marriages, women take on the primary caregiving role for their children. However, when it comes to custody decisions, courts in Texas prioritize the best interests of the child over parental gender. While this often works in favor of mothers, women may still face hurdles in proving they are better suited to provide the stable environment the child needs, especially if their ex-spouse disputes custody. Factors such as work schedules, living arrangements, and financial stability can come under scrutiny. Child Support Issues While Texas law allows women to seek child support, collecting these payments can sometimes prove difficult. Women awarded child support may find themselves dealing with ex-spouses who delay payments, make partial payments, or refuse to pay altogether. Enforcing child support orders often requires legal intervention, which can add to the emotional and financial strain. Division of Marital Assets In Texas, a community property state, marital assets are typically divided equitably during divorce. Women who are awarded assets such as the family home may face challenges related to maintaining the property, refinancing a mortgage, or covering associated expenses. Additionally, women who sacrificed their careers to support their spouses or raise children may feel disadvantaged during the division of assets if their earning potential is limited compared to their ex-spouse. How Your Divorce Attorney Will Support You Each divorce case is unique, and having an experienced attorney standing by you is vital. Whether you’re dividing assets, negotiating child custody, or managing other complex legal issues, the female divorce attorneys at Wilson Whitaker Rynell are here to protect the interests of you and your family. Our attorneys will take the time to understand your unique circumstances and empower you to make informed decisions that support your career, family and future. When you choose a female divorce attorney from Wilson Whitaker Rynell, you can trust that they will: Prioritize your family’s best interests. Negotiate with integrity, ensuring fairness and transparency. Clearly explain all your options and their potential outcomes. Help you create the future you want by offering trusted legal advice. Use efficient methods to minimize unnecessary costs and keep the process manageable. Navigating family law disputes requires a thorough understanding of Texas family law and strong advocacy. Women facing divorce or other family law issues are encouraged to seek an experienced family law attorney who can provide personalized guidance. A skilled lawyer can help craft a strategy that protects their rights and ensures a fair resolution. This includes representing their interests in court, negotiating settlements, and helping enforce orders such as child support or spousal maintenance.
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