Individual Services

Maximize Your Settlement with a Forensic Accountant for Divorce

Being involved in a high-net-worth divorce is already complex. A spouse trying to hide assets or accounts can make it even more complicated. If you’re concerned that your spouse is hiding income, has undeclared properties or has undisclosed investments, a forensic accountant for divorce can be your most valuable ally in maximizing your settlement.

At Sage Investigations, our team of skilled professionals includes former IRS Special Agents certified public accountants, and certified fraud examiners committed to a providing results that reflect the truth.

With our meticulous approach to financial investigations, our proprietary software and in-depth knowledge, we’re dedicated to uncovering the truth behind complex financial situations in divorces.

Trust us to navigate the intricate web of financial complexities and support your case with accurate and reliable information.

To learn more, call us at 512-659-3179 to request a free consultation!

Forensic Accountant for Divorce: What It Is and How Sage Can Help

A forensic accountant is like a financial detective. In a divorce, they thoroughly investigate records to find assets, verify income and accurately value marital property. This ensures fair and equitable division between partners.

Here’s how the experts at Sage Investigations can support you and your attorney in a divorce.

Divorce Asset Search and Valuation

Our forensic accountants for divorce excel in tracing and evaluating diverse assets, including:

Real estate
Bank accounts
Investments
Businesses
Offshore holdings

We employ advanced investigative techniques to unearth concealed assets or undervalued holdings, ensuring a fair distribution during divorce proceedings.

5 Ways Spouses Try to Hide Assets During a Divorce

There are many ways a spouse may try to hide income or assets in a high-net-worth divorce. If you’re seeing one or more of these red flags, call us at 512-659-3179 for a free consultation!

Sudden behavioral changes around finances, including becoming more secretive about accounts, like changing passwords or sending statements to another address; avoiding discussions about finances; shifting to cash-only payments; withdrawing large amounts of cash or hiding accounts. This can also involve being controlling about finances and denying access to accounts.
Inconsistent lifestyle and supporting documents, such as a lavish lifestyle that doesn’t match declared income; debts or assets being overstated or understated or important financial documents like statements, pay stubs or tax returns appearing to be altered or missing entirely.
Suspicious purchases or transfers, which can involve sudden, big-ticket purchases or sales; creating new businesses or trusts to hide assets or transferring large amounts of cash or expensive items to third parties like friends, family members or business partners.
Abrupt changes to their business, like underreporting income; delaying contracts or bonuses; inflating expenses or altering the business’s structure or ownership.
Controlling behavior, including sole control of finances and denying access to accounts.

Income and Expense Analysis

Our financial investigators conduct a thorough analysis of income and expense statements, meticulously scrutinizing financial records, tax returns, and business documents. By uncovering hidden income sources or undisclosed financial resources, we provide invaluable evidence for equitable distribution and determining spousal/child support payments.

Forensic Accounting

Our expertise extends to forensic accounting, enabling us to identify financial irregularities and fraudulent activities. Through a meticulous review of financial records, bank statements, and invoices, our forensic accountants uncover discrepancies, money laundering schemes, asset dissipation, and embezzlement, bolstering your case with compelling evidence. This means divorce proceedings will likely go more in your favor.

Business Valuation

In cases involving businesses or professional practices, our financial investigators conduct comprehensive valuations. By analyzing financial statements, cash flows, industry benchmarks, and market conditions, we determine the fair market value of the business. This information is crucial for equitable distribution, negotiation of buyouts, and determining the impact on alimony and child support calculations.

We Work with You and Your Attorney

We lend our expertise during settlement negotiations, working closely with you and your divorce attorney to provide support and guidance. We help our clients negotiate from a position of strength by demonstrating a thorough understanding of the financial complexities involved. We provide valuable insights into the long-term consequences of different settlement options and aid in crafting strategies that maximize our client’s financial position. We allow your attorney to better represent your interest.

Expert Witness Testimony

Our financial investigators are experienced in providing expert witness testimony. With a clear and concise presentation, we convey our findings, analyses, and conclusions compellingly in court. By leveraging our extensive financial expertise, we strengthen your case with objective, fact-based evidence.

Why Choose Us as Your Financial Investigator for Divorce?

Expertise: As specialized financial investigators for divorce cases, we possess comprehensive knowledge and extensive experience in handling divorce-related financial matters. We remain up-to-date with industry practices, regulations, and legal precedents to deliver accurate and reliable information. Edmond (Ed) Martin, principal and chief investigator at Sage Investigations, is a former IRS Criminal Investigative Division Special Agent with a unique skill set combining accounting, financial analysis, following the money, financial investigations, law enforcement expertise, and expert testimony.
Confidentiality: We understand the sensitive nature of divorce cases. Rest assured, all information shared with us remains strictly confidential. Your privacy and trust are of utmost importance to us.
Dedicated Focus: By focusing exclusively on financial investigations for divorce, we bring a dedicated and specialized approach to each case. Our commitment to understanding the intricacies of divorce-related financial matters ensures a comprehensive and effective investigation tailored to your specific needs.
Proven Results: Our track record speaks for itself. We have successfully assisted numerous clients in uncovering hidden assets, detecting financial irregularities, and providing compelling evidence in divorce proceedings. Rely on our expertise to help you achieve a fair resolution.

CASE STUDIES:

Tracing Separate Brought Victory for the Client:

Ed Martin and Sage Investigations, LLC were hired to examine the expenditure of the separate estates of a husband and wife. The wife in the divorce spent over one-third of the husband’s separate funds on reimbursable items. Sage reviewed and analyzed the bank accounts and traced the separate funds of the husband and wife to final disposition using proprietary technology and algorithms. Sage prepared a report and the necessary computations. RESULT: The client and his attorney accepted the report and settled the case in the first mediation. The judge awarded the client 5% more of the marital estate in the settlement for one-half million of reimbursable expenditures. The client was satisfied with the settlement.

Tracing Separate Brought Victory for the Client:

Ed Martin and Sage Investigations, LLC were hired to examine the expenditure of separate estates of a husband and wife. The wife in the divorce had a large sum of separate funds she used to purchase, rehab, and sell the homes, generating community income from separate property funds. The husband had a small retirement which was expended early in the marriage upon tracing the community and separate estate. Sage reviewed and analyzed the bank accounts and traced the separate funds of the husband and wife to final disposition using proprietor technology and algorithms. Sage prepared a report and the necessary computations. RESULT: The wife’s attorney used the report, settling the case in the first mediation. The wife was reimbursed for the purchase money, and the community split the sales proceeds. The client was satisfied with the settlement.

BENEFITS OF PARTNERING WITH SAGE INVESTIGATIONS:

Have an actual value of marital assets
Accuracy and completeness of information
You are not deprived of your rightful share of the divorce settlement
We provide expert testimony that carries weight
Negotiate from a position of strength

Request a Free Consultation Today

When it comes to unraveling the financial complexities of divorce and maximizing your divorce settlement, our team of forensic accountants for divorce is your trusted partner. Call us at 512-659-3179 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards uncovering the truth.

IRS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: INSIDE IRS KNOWLEDGE TO PREVAIL

When it comes to the civil and criminal procedures of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for income tax matters, money laundering matters (18 USC 1956 and 1957), Form 8300 violations (26 USC 6050I), structuring (31 USC 5324), and issues with the Cares Act/Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Sage Investigations is your best ally. With over 25 years as an IRS Special Agent, we know the ins and outs of the IRS and have the experience and expertise necessary to efficiently and effectively follow the money in complex financial investigations. We have the means to help analyze financial data faster and less expensive, which will allow your attorney to better represent your interest.

If you fall under the gaze of the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, they can approach you administratively or via a Grand Jury. Depending on the allegations being made, if it is administrative in nature, the process will be less intrusive. If the investigation is Grand Jury related, the potential for the execution of a search warrant is increased. With a search warrant, the government will take over your home and office, seize your records, and image your computers to preserve any evidence of wrongdoing.

Your attorney will need the duplicate records to defend you. Therefore, initially, you must have your computers imaged, and your attorney will negotiate with the IRS to access the paper records seized.

BENEFITS OF PARTNERING WITH SAGE INVESTIGATIONS:

Help battle against the IRS.
Help with issues concerning the Cares Act / Paycheck Payroll Protection (PPP) as your expert witness.
Foresight of potential criminal problems directed towards you.
Gain inside knowledge and understanding of the IRS Criminal Investigation procedures to help you prevail.
Help you understand what actions the IRS will be taking
Help you understand the relationship between your accounting system, books, records, and your return.
Use our IRS Criminal Investigative knowledge, training, and experience to identify financial patterns to benefit you.
Identify mitigating factors.
Consult with you and inform you about the IRS’s status and activities or inactivity.
Eliminate surprises through financial investigation.
Have a deep understanding of witnesses and the evidence available against you.
Secure handling and sharing of evidence.
Save you time and money by inventorying and organizing records to allow access and control of the evidence in preparation for meetings with the government or for use in trial.
Better representation by your attorney.

We can see what you might be too close to seeing through consulting or an investigation.

WE WILL:

Work with your attorney to defend you against the IRS in a criminal matter.
Identify technical issues that will cause the IRS to discontinue the investigation.
Provide a computer forensic specialist to image the computers before their continued use.
Provide scanning services and expertise to determine what needs to be scanned for your defense.
Capture relevant data securely and efficiently.
Secure, review, and organize records provided by you and obtained during discovery by your attorney.
Analyze financial records, loan applications, and provide expert testimony of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
In Form 8300, money laundering matters, determine the false information on the form to help you understand the problem.
In Structuring matters (Title 31 USC), determine the source of the funds and why the structuring took place.
Reconcile the tax returns (known income) with business and/or personal records to prove the likely source of the funds.
Use DIO to analyze and report information accurately.
Utilize advanced forensic financial investigative techniques.
As necessary, prepare reports acceptable by the court using indirect methods formats: net worth, bank deposits, etc.
Provide consulting and expert witness reports and testimony.

CONSULTING/INVESTIGATIONS

We understand your fears and frustrations concerning the IRS. We will help to minimize your fears and frustrations. We offer a free 20-minute consultation to learn about your situation and determine if we can help you and your attorney. Once we know we can help you, we will identify the basic scope of the investigation and explain to you what is needed and why it is needed for you to have the best possible outcome with the IRS and avoid a possible prison sentence.

Once you secure our services, we will confer with your attorney to determine how to proceed and help your attorney accumulate evidence to best defend you.

WITNESS INTERVIEW

Sage provides your attorney with the value of timely and in-depth witness interviews and the acquisition of relevant documents in criminal and civil matters, thus allowing you to understand the evidence available against you.

Sage asks objective questions about who, what, when, where, why, and how much to fully develop the witness’s testimony. Sage takes copious notes of interviews, renders them into a memorandum of interview, and delivers this information to your attorney in a timely manner.

WE WILL:

Research and locate witnesses across the country.
Conduct timely and in-depth interviews.
Render a memorandum of the interview.
Assist in developing the evidence into an accurate picture.

TESTIFYING

We provide expert testimony and assist your defense attorney with his cross-examination of the government’s summary witness and, if necessary, testify as the defense’s summary or expert witness.

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need an ally to battle the IRS.