If you believe your spouse or partner is hiding assets or income, and you can demonstrate that this may be the case, the courts have wide powers to assist you in further  investigating the other person’s finances in order to ascertain their real worth. They can be ordered to provide extensive documentation and persistent refusal to comply can result in the defaulter being in contempt of court.  Alternatively, third parties such as bank representatives, new spouses, employers, accountants  etc., can be ordered to come to court with relevant information and documentation. In more extreme cases, the court can make “search and seize” orders or can order that assets be preserved pending the outcome of your financial application. However these orders can be difficult and expensive to obtain. It is important at all times to consider what level of investigation is required in each case bearing in mind the need to keep costs proportionate to the amount of money involved and to weigh the likely benefits of any court action against its cost.