Divorce is difficult already but even more so when you are trying to divide up assets between you and your partner. All of the common assets immediately come to mind; the house, the cars, and cash. But what about other accounts and investments? You do not want to forget about any accounts that you could be entitled to in the divorce. While they may be difficult to split, the payoff could be worth it. Continue reading to learn about a few accounts to ask your lawyer about while going through a divorce.
Military Benefits
If your spouse is in the military, you may not be able keep your military benefits, especially health care. There is a 20-20-20 rule when it comes to whether or not you are able to keep your military benefits. Your spouse must have served at least 20 years, you have to be married for over 20 years, and your marriage and military service must overlap by at least 20 years. If you are worried about losing your military benefits, be sure to hire a divorce lawyer that has experience with military couples.
Pensions
All state and federal employees have pensions that need to be considered. Several companies offer pensions instead of traditional retirement savings accounts. If you are not the account holder of the pension, be sure to have the money in the pension categorized as future income. Labeling the pension funds as future income will allow it to be divided among the spouses since it was earned during the marriage.
Cryptocurrency
If either you or your spouse has invested in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, you need to find the holding situation and trace it down. Whether it is held with an investment company or individually with stock certificates, it is difficult to trace down. Since it is a very volatile asset, it is difficult to place value. Consider using a professional who specializes in valuing Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.
Restricted Stock
In executive level corporate jobs, you most likely receive restricted stock as a part of your income. It is classified as deferred compensation, but it is often used as an annual bonus. If you are the spouse who did not earn the restricted stock, you will want to make sure you include that some of the restricted stock may have been earned during your marriage. If that is the case, it will be due to be cashed out after your divorce.
To find any hidden assets that you may not know about, start with your tax return. All the items and forms needed to file your tax return will show different income streams and other assets available. Trace through your accounts and analyze your cash flow to potentially discover any secret accounts. Hire a divorce lawyer and an accountant to see you through this difficult process.
Sources:
https://www.divorcenet.com/resources/divorce/marital-property-division/finding-hidden-assets-2.htm