Can you remember playing hide and seek as a kid? The onus was very much on the seeker. If the hider hid well enough not to be found, they would win.
Some spouses like to play a grown-up version of this when they divorce. They take their assets and hide them, thinking that if the other person does not find them, they will win and keep all of those assets.
Fortunately, the rules of law are different from the rules of the playground. Hiding is not allowed when it comes to divorce, and if a court catches someone trying to hide property, they will make sure they lose.
Catching someone can be the tricky bit
How hard your spouse needs to work to hide assets from you depends on your knowledge of the family finances. If you have always left the money side of things to your spouse, it will be relatively easy for them. If you have taken a keen interest in the finances throughout your marriage, it will be a lot harder for them to keep assets from you.
Can you prevent your spouse from hiding assets?
If you have not yet told your spouse you want a divorce, then now may be your best chance to catalog the full extent of your property. Be aware, though, that taking a sudden interest may raise their suspensions.
What if the divorce plans are already underway?
You could try asking your spouse for copies of financial records and access to any accounts. The problem is that anyone likely to hide them is also unlikely to give you this information.
Do not leave things to chance if you think your spouse might start playing games when dividing your property. Get help to ask a court to intervene.