Dividing up assets during a divorce doesn’t just take time; it can cause huge emotional strain. That’s why it’s important to get independent financial advice, especially when the situation is far from clear cut.
A case in point is the recent dispute between an estranged couple in the Netherlands. The ex-husband demanded that the court recalculate the divorce settlement after his ex-wife won a 2.1 million euro lottery prize during divorce proceedings.
The man argued that as his ex-wife had always bought the lottery tickets using shared household funds, he should be entitled to a share of the jackpot. However, a judge ruled that as the ticket was bought from the woman’s own funds after the couple had listed the shared assets they wished to divide, she had no obligation to share the winnings.
Although this is an exceptional case, it’s easy to see how relations can soon turn sour when sharing assets. That’s where forensic accounting comes in. Frenkels Forensics works directly with clients and their legal advisers to ensure that all aspects of the financial settlement are researched thoroughly. This is essential when coming to a fair settlement that takes into account the value of any businesses owned by the parties.
In what are often very testing times, having the support and experience of independent experts can make the process far smoother. As the divorce rate rises, so too will divorce investigations, which rely upon forensic accounting expertise to deliver a fair conclusion.
For expert financial help in settling a divorce contact Frenkels Forensics for an independent appraisal.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for advice in another aspect of forensic accountancy, then do get in touch via Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn or by visiting our website www.frenkels.com
By Vitek Frenkel – find me via Google+.