Nevada's community property laws require that marital assets be divided equitably - but that requires both parties to be honest about what those assets are. When a spouse attempts to conceal money, property, or business income, it distorts the entire division process. Hiding assets in a Nevada divorce is illegal. Nevada's mandatory financial disclosure requirements impose legal obligations on both parties. Here's how to identify concealment - and what your attorney can do about it.
Common Ways Spouses Hide Assets in Nevada Divorces
- Transferring money to a secret account or to a trusted family member "for safekeeping"
- Underreporting business income or overstating business expenses
- Delaying receipt of bonuses or commissions until after the divorce is finalized
- Overpaying taxes (expecting a refund after the divorce)
- Purchasing cryptocurrency and concealing the accounts
- Creating false debts (e.g., fake loans to friends or relatives)
- Failing to disclose stock options, deferred compensation, or restricted stock units
Discovery Tools Available to Your Attorney
If you suspect your spouse is hiding assets, your attorney has powerful legal tools to compel disclosure:
Interrogatories and Requests for Production
Written questions and document demands that the other party must answer under oath - probing the existence of accounts, business interests, and real property not previously disclosed.
Subpoenas to Third Parties
Your attorney can subpoena bank records, brokerage statements, and business financial records directly from financial institutions - without your spouse's cooperation.
Depositions
Your spouse (and witnesses) can be required to answer questions under oath, in person. Inconsistencies between deposition testimony and financial records are powerful evidence of concealment.
Forensic Accountants
For complex cases involving business ownership or high net worth, a forensic accountant can analyze records to identify discrepancies, trace hidden transfers, and provide expert testimony.
Red flags: Sudden new "debts" owed to friends, lifestyle inconsistent with disclosed income, a spouse who becomes secretive about accounts at the start of divorce proceedings, or a business whose reported income drops sharply - these are common indicators of concealment.
What Happens When Hidden Assets Are Discovered
When a Nevada court finds that a spouse deliberately concealed assets, the consequences are significant. The court may award the concealed asset entirely to the non-concealing spouse, impose sanctions or attorney fee awards, or in extreme cases refer the matter for criminal investigation. Courts take dishonesty in financial disclosure extremely seriously.
Contact PRO LAW GROUP at (702) 474-0500 for a free consultation. Donn Prokopius has 25+ years of experience identifying and pursuing concealed marital assets in Clark County courts.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, contact PRO LAW GROUP at (702) 474-0500 for a free consultation.