Asset Tracing, Asset Trace and Tracing Hidden Assets
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Asset Tracing
Asset Tracing is the process of discovering assets, hidden assets or money. There are several situations where conducting an asset trace is beneficial, including in divorce cases, fraud, pre and post litigation and corporate disagreements.
Do you need an Asset Trace or an Asset Tracing Service?
Our Asset Discovery service will help you gain insight into a subjects financial standing helping you to base financial negotiations on valid facts. Our reports can be used to locate financial or physical assets and provide evidence of ownership, investments, acquisitions and partnerships. This information will help you determine if the subject has anything of value before embarking on costly litigation to recover property or funds. Many people aim to conceal assets from loved ones, relatives and business associates fearing they will be taken in a separation, divorce settlement or financial fallout. Assets may be hidden for tax reasons or other financial motives.
Our Asset Trace service is specifically designed for companies or individuals to establish the financial profile of an individual or entity, thus ensuring your settlement is fair and favourable. Tracking and monitoring hidden assets relies on thorough planning and a rigorous preliminary investigation.Our investigators will work alongside your solicitor and legal team to present appropriate court evidence to facilitate your claim.
If you suspect that assets may have been hidden from you, please get in touch with us for a no obligation discussion on the best way forward.
Why is conducting an Asset Trace beneficial?
Many people try to conceal their assets that’s why performing an asset check is beneficial. They might do so because they fear that the assets will be taken in a separation or divorce settlement, or because they are worried that business associates or lenders could have a claim on them in the case of liquidation of their business. They might hide them for tax reasons. Whatever the reason, sometimes the result is that the family ends up suspecting there are assets somewhere to which they’re entitled, but not knowing where – or that business partners lose out when things go wrong.
What can you do when you find your wealthy ex-spouse is claiming to be penniless, or your former co-director claims he has no money despite the fact he appears to have emptied the company bank account? You can hire a private investigator and use an asset tracking service to find out the truth. Performing an asset check will help to provide you with the information and evidence that you need.
Why Choose Our`Asset Trace Service?
Our Asset Tracing services can establish an individuals’ financial profile or can look at a company or group of companies to establish what assets they hold and where they are held. That ensures you’ll get a settlement that is fair, and based on true data.
Is it worth conducting an Asset Discovery Investigation ?
There are many ways in which asset tracing can be invaluable, including:
Divorce: Tracing assets prior to divorce. This can help ensure that a fair division of assets is achieved by exposing any hidden assets.
Civil and Criminal Legal matters: Asset tracing can be a valuable tool for establishing the truth in a dispute.
- Debtors: Tracing assets can assist creditors in locating hidden assets belonging to defaulting and difficult debtors
- Fraud and Misrepresentation: Asset Tracing can assist victims in locating the perpetrators assets and recovering funds that have been wrongfully taken.
Business Acquisitions: Asset tracing can be used by businesses to conduct due diligence prior to a transaction.
How do we track down hidden assets in our Asset Trace?
Tracking down hidden assets requires thorough planning. A scattergun approach is not enough. Working alongside your legal team, we will put together a preliminary asset investigation. Our asset investigation will not just find those hidden assets, but ensure you have evidence that will stand up in court. This is why an asset check is extremely beneficial.
We know the different ways that people try to hide assets and that’s why performing an asset check is essential. These range from simply ‘forgetting’ to tell you that they have bought a flat to using related party transactions between their company and another business they control to move money where they think it won’t be traced. Sometimes they set up companies in order to funnel money out via high salaries or dividends, or other directors’ perks. Then there are offshore bank accounts and other offshore holdings which are often used to keep money out of the tax man’s hands – but might also keep it away from a former spouse or a business that has been defrauded.
We also know how to read the small print. In some cases, such as related company transactions, reading the notes to the accounts in detail is crucial to gaining an understanding of what techniques might have been used and where assets have been transferred.
Asset Tracing Process
We start the process with a full asset background check..= A successful asset investigation relies on combining all evidence and following up on leads systematically. Our experience helps us recognise what’s important and distinguish the signal from the noise when asset tracing. We look through all information available, open and closed sourced databases and systems, audit documents, personnel records, and company filings. In addition we can also talk to colleagues and family. Our aim to build up a picture of the person’s lifestyle and associates. Any potential disparity between income and outgoings we will spot.
All the information in our Asset Trace is legally obtained. For instance, we can get details of:
- Property Assets
- Company Assets
- Directorships
- Major Shareholdings
- Marine Ownership
- Any vehicles owned
- Credit Reports
We also carry out media, internet and global open source searches. These searches are conducted as they often harvest a great deal of intelligence. This in turn helps us to find assets that have been hidden. Sometimes a blog post or a local newspaper report can help us on our way to an asset trace.
Why Should You Conduct an Asset Trace Before Litigation?
Litigation is costly and although you may win your case, if the other party really doesn’t have the means to pay you, you will be out of pocket.
We create an Asset Trace report which you can use as hard evidence once your claim comes to court. But before you proceed with a claim, this information will help you determine if the subject has anything of value.
If your subject has no hidden assets we will have saved you the cost of litigation. On the other hand, we may find that assets have been hidden. Regardless of whether the hidden assets are located in the UK or abroad, you can start the process of freezing them to ensure that they don’t disappear during the course of your case.
Hidden Asset Tracing
If you suspect that assets have been hidden from you, contact us for a confidential discussion. If you choose us to trace hidden assets, our consultants will work closely with you at all stages. In every case, our investigators strive to ensure the best possible outcome.
Find A Person’s Assets – Conduct a Basic Asset Trace
“Are They Safe’s” Standard Asset Report is a great starting point to trace hidden assets. Please note the Standard Trace detailed below is a Personal Asset Trace. This trace does not include any assets belonging to any separate legal entity. Assets that belong to a business are not included in the basic report. A separate asset trace report is required for each business that the subject may be involved or connected to.
We also offer a Low-Cost Personal Asset Trace on an individual. Our low-cost Asset Trace Report is priced at £695.00 plus VAT and includes;
- Alias Name Check on the Subject
- A Full Property Ownership search on the subject. This includes the date of property purchase and property purchase price. (If purchased after Oct. 2001.) Land ownership is not included.
- Previous Property Ownership Search on the Subject including previous property purchase Price, purchase date (If purchased after Oct. 2001) sold price and date. Land ownership is not included.
- FULL Directorship Search
- Mini Credit Check (CCJ, Insolvency and bankruptcy check.).
Asset Tracing FAQ's
Why is it important to conduct an asset trace?
Asset tracing is crucial for recovering debts, enforcing judgments, and ensuring that parties can access the funds or property they are entitled to. It helps in uncovering hidden or undisclosed assets.
Who typically needs an asset trace?
What types of assets can be traced?
How are asset traces conducted?
Asset tracing involves various methods, including public record searches, financial analysis, interviews, and the use of specialised software. Investigators may also review corporate structures and ownership documents.
What challenges are faced by Private Investigators during an asset trace?
Challenges in asset tracing can include complex ownership structures, asset concealment, jurisdictional issues, and the lack of publicly available information. Additionally, assets may be moved or disguised to avoid detection.
How long does the asset trace process take?
The duration of asset tracing varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case, the number of assets involved, and the availability of information. Simple cases may take days, while more complex investigations could take weeks or months.
Can asset tracing guarantee recovery of funds?
Is conducting an asset trace legal?
Yes, asset tracing is legal when conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is important to ensure that all methods used comply with privacy laws and ethical standards.
If you require a more bespoke asset investigation service please feel free to email your exact requirements to us. On receipt of your requirements we will access and provide you with a free no-obligation quote.
If you need to find a person’s assets then call us today and speak to one of our highly experienced asset tracers. Our private investigators have years of experience in conducting these types of investigations and tracking down valuable hidden assets.
