Forensic Accounting in Divorce
Financial analysis when income, assets, or disclosures don’t make sense.
Nationwide. Virtual appointments available.
Common Financial Red Flags in Divorce
Reported income doesn’t support the household’s historical lifestyle
Sudden drops in income shortly before separation
ATM withdrawals without explanation
Incomplete or inconsistent bank or credit card records
Transfers between personal and business accounts
Assets held in only one spouse’s name without explanation
A spouse who controls all financial access
When to Involve a Forensic Accountant
Early involvement means stronger evidence, better strategy, and fewer surprises. The scope and cost of forensic accounting vary by record volume, complexity, and whether expert testimony is required, not every divorce requires a full forensic investigation. Getting a CPA involved earlier can:
Preserve financial records before accounts are closed, altered, or consolidated
Identify which transactions, accounts, or entities actually warrant closer review
Distinguish routine financial activity from patterns that raise legitimate concern
Reduce unnecessary discovery by focusing analysis on relevant financial issues
Support informed strategy decisions before deadlines and save costs
Even post-divorce, a forensic review may be needed to enforce support or property division orders.
Sample Scenarios
The wife claims a sudden drop in income but continues a high-end lifestyle.
Marital funds are used to purchase assets titled only in one spouse’s name.
A wife provides incomplete bank records with pages missing or transactions blacked out.
A husband withdraws large sums of cash and claims it was spent on “bills”
Transfers appear between business and personal accounts right before filing
Divorce Forensic Accounting FAQs
When should a forensic accountant be involved in a divorce?
1
A forensic accountant is often most effective when involved early, before financial records are incomplete, accounts are closed, or financial positions become fixed.
Do all divorces require forensic accounting?
2
No. Many divorces can be resolved using standard financial disclosures. Forensic accounting is typically used when records are inconsistent or financial activity cannot be explained through routine review.
Does early involvement increase the cost of forensic accounting?
3
Not necessarily. Early involvement often helps narrow the scope of analysis and avoid unnecessary discovery or investigation. Visit the Fees page to learn more about the costs.
Does a forensic accountant replace an attorney or financial advisor?
4
No. A forensic accountant works alongside legal counsel to analyze financial records and provide objective financial findings.
Not every divorce requires forensic accounting.
In some cases, standard financial disclosures are sufficient, and additional analysis may not be cost-effective. Forensic accounting becomes valuable when records are incomplete, financial behavior changes unexpectedly, or the numbers don’t reconcile despite reasonable explanations.
Forensic Accounting
Services for Divorces
Divorce brings more than emotional upheaval — it often exposes financial uncertainty. When questions arise about income, assets, or spending patterns, forensic accounting provides a factual foundation for fair and informed outcomes.
Asset Identification & Tracing
Identification of marital versus separate property
Analysis of retirement accounts, investments, and real estate holdings
Tracing financial transfers or title changes leading up to divorce
Review of account statements and financial disclosures for inconsistencies
Income & Lifestyle Analysis
Comparison of reported income to actual deposits and spending
Identification of irregularities that may indicate underreported income
Documentation of historical lifestyle and spending habits
Support for spousal and child support determinations based on actual financial behavior
Services Available Nationwide
Consultation by Phone or Virtually
Evaluations to Learn if Potential Problems Exist
High-level look at records for signs of unusual activity or missing funds
Examination of bank and credit card transactions for patterns inconsistent with disclosures
Assessment of financial documents for potential concealment or misrepresentation
Follow-the-money tracing to provide context for unexplained movement of funds
Why Attorneys Bring in a Divorce Forensic CPA
Financial affidavits don’t match the records
One-sided control over money raises questions
Suspicions of manipulation, delay, or deception
Accurate financials can change the outcome
“I’ve worked hundreds of cases inside the IRS. I now help attorneys and their clients on high-stakes divorces.”