Asset Searches

MUCH MORE THAN CASH

Our clients in commercial and matrimonial matters often have a question that is simple to ask and can be hard to answer: how much does a company or person own? Our thorough searches help to provide the information necessary to decide whether to pursue a lawsuit, and during litigation, whether to settle. After a win in court, we help plaintiffs find assets to satisfy their judgement.

We routinely focus on real and personal property owned not only personally, but also through side companies. Experience has taught us that even if a person has lived his entire life in one state, he could easily control companies domiciled in a different state, and these could control assets anywhere in the world. We work across the U.S. and worldwide on asset identification and recovery.

CASE STUDY: HUSBAND DISCLOSED 30 COMPANIES, WE FOUND 30 MORE

Wife showed us husband’s net worth statement and disclosure from husband’s accountant with bank information from 30 companies that husband controlled. We advised that she hold off on getting the opinion of a forensic accountant because we found 30 additional companies associated with the husband. The court ordered the appointment of an independent business valuation expert as a result of our work. Our bill was $2,500.

CASE STUDY:NET WORTH OF DEBTOR 8-10 TIMES HIGHER THAN STATED

A debtor company presented our client (the lender) with a net worth statement of $12 million by its owner, who personally guaranteed the debt. Two years later the company defaulted, and the owner claimed he was down to $1 million, offering a settlement of 10 cents on the dollar. We found that not only was he worth far more than $1 million, but that he had also failed to include lots of wonderful assets on the original net worth statement he provided to back up his guarantee. Settlement prospects improved by more than $2 million. Our bill was $5,000.

CASE STUDY: WORTHLESS PROPERTY WAS VALUABLE AND STOLEN

Client briefed us that she and husband co-owned a “worthless” piece of vacant property. We found this property was highly valuable and had produced significant rental income, but husband had fraudulently sold the business to his brother without informing the wife. Asset went from $30,000 in perceived value to more than $2 million. Our bill was $2,400.