Hiding assets in divorce

[oldfatandtired]

We are about to embark on what is going to be an acrimonious divorce. My H has moved out. I have opened a letter addressed to him (yes, I know this is illegal). This letter confirms that he has opened a secret bank account. I suspect that the proceeds of some shares in the company he works for are in this account - it's a tidy sum.

We obviously have not yet exchanged Form Es. In the likely event that he does not declare this account what can I do? I knew that he cashed the shares in last year - he told me. I also know he can cash in more shares in a few months. I have a letter from the stockbroker advising that the first batch of shares had been sold. I did not access this illegally, it was lying open on the dining room table along with a pile of other documents.

Also, before he left, I said to him 'don't think you'll get away with this, remember all our assets are joint' to which his reply was 'that's easily sorted'.

Any advice legal ones?

Give the letter to your solicitor and tell her that you opened it unintentionally. Write to the the HR department of your husbands employers and explain your position with regards to the shares.

You are not allowed to copy the document and should immediately send it to him to avoid breaking the law. Anything you see lying around can be read, and its contents remembered. Jot down the account number. You'll be able to ask questions after form E exchange. He can't hide the paper trail, even though he might think he can.

Thanks all. No, I don't want to jeopardise his employment, that wouldn't help me or my family! He has been planning to leave for quite a long time and I am amazed that he left relevant paperwork behind which, as it's sitting in our dining room, I am allowed to read! I can't think how he thinks he can hide the proceeds of these shares - he was awarded them a couple of years ago and freely told me about them. (I had them marked down for DS at Uni - shame he wants the cash for OW . . .)

If he's been planning to leave for quite a long time, he may have already moved assets. Perhaps he intentionally left those docs. lying around to distract you from something else?
If his declared income doesn't match his "lifestyle" , ie. if he can afford certain things that appear beyond his declared means, enquire about having his contribution based on the lifestyle he displays.