Guide · 7 min read
How to find hidden assets in a divorce
Tennessee divides marital property equitably, which only works if all the property is on the table. When a spouse controls the money, things have a way of disappearing. Here is where to look.
- Written byOur Nashville detectives
- UpdatedOctober 25, 2026
- Reading time7 minutes
- Related serviceHidden asset searches
- Watch for sudden changes: a business that “slows down,” large cash withdrawals, new accounts, or transfers to relatives.
- Discovery through your attorney is the main tool; a detective finds the leads that make discovery precise.
- Marital money spent on an affair can be raised as dissipation of assets.
Warning signs
- Income from a business suddenly drops right before or during the divorce
- Large cash withdrawals or ATM activity with no explanation
- Payments to a friend or relative described as repaying a “loan”
- New accounts, new credit cards or statements going to a different address
- Expensive purchases of things easy to undervalue: art, collectibles, equipment
- Cryptocurrency, payment apps or overpaid taxes that create a refund later
Where assets are usually hidden
In our experience, most hidden assets are not in offshore accounts. They are closer to home: a business that defers invoices, a relative who holds title to a truck or a lake lot, cash kept in a safe, or a new LLC that quietly owns property.
Public records can reveal a surprising amount: property records, vehicle and boat registrations, business filings with the Tennessee Secretary of State, UCC filings, and court records involving the spouse or their companies.
How discovery and investigation work together
- Your attorney requests documents and answers under oath through formal discovery.
- A detective researches public records and, where useful, conducts lawful surveillance and interviews to find what discovery missed.
- Leads go back to your attorney, who can subpoena specific banks, businesses or people.
A good investigation makes discovery precise. Instead of asking for “all accounts,” your attorney can ask about a named LLC, a specific property or a particular transfer.
Money spent on an affair
Marital money spent on an affair, such as hotels, gifts or trips, can be raised as dissipation of marital assets when property is divided. Documenting the spending is often as important as documenting the relationship. See signs a spouse is cheating.
What a detective cannot do
Private detectives cannot obtain bank records, tax returns or credit reports without legal authority. That is what subpoenas are for. We find where to look; your attorney compels production. Learn more on our hidden asset searches page.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different; talk to a Tennessee attorney about your case. Last reviewed October 25, 2026.
When you’re ready
How we can help
Licensed Tennessee private detectives, lawful methods, and reports written for the people who will read them.
Can a private investigator find bank accounts?
Not by accessing bank records, which requires legal process. A detective identifies leads, such as businesses, properties and transfers, that your attorney can subpoena.
What happens if a spouse hides assets in Tennessee?
Courts can account for concealed or dissipated assets when dividing property and may impose other consequences. Your attorney will advise you.
When should I start looking for hidden assets?
As early as possible, ideally before the divorce is filed, while records and patterns are easier to find.
Talk it through with a detective.
Confidential, no-pressure. We’ll tell you honestly whether a detective is worth it for your situation.