Every year, thousands of people face unfair divorce settlements because their former partners hide or disguise their true wealth. In this article, iSanctuary’s Director of Investigations, George Simpson, talks about how hidden assets can be uncovered, and what you can do to protect your financial future.
When the truth about money and assets are concealed
Divorce is often a hugely emotive and stressful event, where even seemingly amicable and open arrangements are later found to have been made in bad faith. Too often, one party (more often, though not exclusively, women) faces the devastating reality of a partner concealing or obfuscating their wealth to the detriment of the other.
“We see time and again that hidden wealth isn’t always about vast fortunes, sometimes it’s the house that was unknowingly transferred, or the company shares ‘sold’ to a friend,” says George Simpson, an experienced financial crime investigator and Director of Operations at iSanctuary. “What makes the difference is early identification of the issue, before the trail goes cold.”
Whether through offshore holdings, crypto assets, or conveniently “forgotten” investments, hidden assets can dramatically distort the outcome of a divorce.
The Growing Challenge of Hidden Assets
For those in the UK, the disclosure process is designed to ensure both parties reveal their full financial position. Unfortunately, some individuals choose to conceal or misrepresent information during this stage, and without expert help, it can often go unnoticed. Such actions can result in a drastically reduced settlement with potentially life changing consequences in terms of a spouses’ long-term financial stability.
In today’s globalised financial world, funds can be moved across borders instantly. Crypto assets, offshore structures in opaque jurisdictions make tracing assets increasingly complex.
Women that paused their careers to raise families are disproportionately affected, often simply because they lack access to the full financial picture.
Red flags to watch for include:
- Unexplained changes in business ownership or spending
- Delays or evasions during Form E disclosure
- Transfers to family members or new entities
- A sudden interest in cryptocurrency or “foreign investments”.
“Every asset leaves a footprint, the challenge is following that footprint through layers of misdirection, and that’s where professional asset tracing becomes an indispensable.”
Practical Steps: Protecting What’s Rightfully Yours
If you suspect your spouse may be hiding wealth, here are five practical steps to safeguard your position:
- Act early: Raise your concerns as soon as possible; time is critical in preventing asset dissipation.
- Keep everything: Store copies of statements, tax returns, and even old emails, they may reveal inconsistencies.
- Engage professionals: Solicitors, forensic accountants, and investigators can collaborate effectively to expose concealed assets.
- Know your rights: Under UK family law, both parties are legally required to give full and frank disclosure.
- Ask about funding: If you’re financially restricted, specialist funding can help cover investigation and legal fees until your settlement is finalised.
How iSanctuary Can Help
At iSanctuary, our Divorce Asset Tracer service is designed to give clients clarity and control.
This fixed-price investigative service offers an initial assessment of a person’s global asset profile, helping uncover what’s missing from disclosure documents and providing the client with sufficient information to inform their decision making and develop a negotiation strategy.
For more complex cases, iSanctuary’s full-suite of investigative services combine traditional field expertise with advanced technology to trace crypto assets, reveal offshore holdings, and build robust evidence for court if required.
Our reports are legally defensible in UK proceedings, and our investigators, including George Simpson, are available to provide expert witness testimony.
“Our work isn’t about confrontation, it’s about restoring fairness and creating a level playing field. We help clients see what’s really theirs and ensure settlements reflect reality, not manipulation.”
The Human Impact, and the Hope
Hidden assets don’t just skew numbers on a spreadsheet. They determine whether someone can afford a safe home for their children, continue schooling without disruption, or simply move forward without financial anxiety.
“It’s powerful when we can give someone the evidence to walk into court with confidence, knowing they have the truth on their side.”
Take the First Step
If you believe your spouse or partner may be hiding assets, don’t delay. Hidden wealth can be traced, but timing and expertise matter.
You can contact iSanctuary for a free, confidential consultation and learn how our Divorce Asset Tracer service can help you protect what’s rightfully yours.
Email Tim Gilkison in confidence at: tg@isanctuary.io
https://isanctuary.io/asset-tracer-divorce/
About George Simpson and iSanctuary
George Simpson is Director of Operations, Investigations and Regulation Services at iSanctuary. He is a highly experienced professional with specialist knowledge and proven experience in law enforcement and financial services regulation in the context of a broad range of financial crime settings. George has worked in specialist departments within New Scotland Yard, precursor agencies of the National Crime Agency, and latterly the Financial Conduct Authority. His expertise includes the investigation and successful prosecution of ground-breaking serious and complex fraud and money laundering cases. George has extensive knowledge of the UK’s regulatory anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing regime.
iSanctuary is a specialist intelligence and investigations firm uncovering hidden wealth and undisclosed assets worldwide. With over $1 billion in assets identified, the company provides legally defensible investigations that help clients achieve fair and transparent financial outcomes in divorce and litigation.