Chicago Forensic Investigation & Financial Disclosure Attorney
Uncovering the Financial Truth to Protect Your Future
Divorce and family law disputes are rarely just about emotions; they are fundamentally about finance. The outcome of your case will define your economic stability for years to come. However, a fair settlement is impossible if the financial picture is incomplete, inaccurate, or intentionally distorted.
In many high-stakes or high-conflict divorces, one spouse may control the finances, leaving the other in the dark. Assets may be hidden, income underreported, or business values manipulated. At The Elite Law Group, we believe that financial transparency is not a luxury—it is a legal right.
Under the leadership of our founder, Schylon Lane , The Elite Law Group provides premier family law advocacy for Chicago families. We specialize in Forensic Investigation & Financial Disclosure, utilizing sophisticated legal and financial strategies to ensure that every dollar is accounted for.
Our mission is to deliver exceptional and reputable legal care, ensuring that high-quality representation is accessible to those who need it. We are your dedicated partner in justice, committed to leveling the playing field and securing the full financial settlement you deserve.
The Critical Importance of Financial Disclosure
In Illinois, both parties to a divorce or family law proceeding have a fiduciary duty to be open and honest about their finances. This process begins with the Financial Disclosure Affidavit. This is not merely a form to be filled out; it is a sworn legal statement detailing all income, expenses, assets, and debts.
However, in complex cases, the Financial Affidavit is often where the deception begins. A spouse may inflate their expenses to plead poverty or deflate their income to avoid child support. They may omit accounts or undervalue significant assets.
At The Elite Law Group, we do not accept these documents at face value. We approach financial disclosure with a forensic eye. We meticulously analyze:
Tax Returns: Looking for inconsistencies between reported income and actual lifestyle.
Bank Statements: Tracing the flow of funds to identify transfers to unknown accounts or undisclosed large purchases.
Credit Card Statements: Identifying spending patterns that suggest hidden assets or dissipation.
Loan Applications: Often, a spouse will be truthful with a bank to get a loan (listing all assets) while lying to the court. We find those discrepancies.
Forensic Investigation: Finding Hidden Assets
When a spouse is determined to hide wealth, standard "discovery" is often not enough.
You need a legal team capable of digging deeper. "Forensic Investigation" refers to the intersection of accounting and law—the process of using financial data as evidence in a legal dispute.
We are experienced in navigating the complexity of family law to uncover the tactics used to conceal marital property.
Common Methods of Hiding Assets
We have experience identifying and exposing various schemes, including:
Hiding Cash: In cash-based businesses (like restaurants or contracting), a spouse may physically skim cash before it is recorded in the books.
Deferred Compensation: Asking an employer to delay a bonus, commission, or stock option grant until after the divorce is finalized to keep it out of the marital pot.
"Parking" Assets: Transferring money or property to a friend, relative, or shell company with the understanding that it will be returned after the divorce.
** custodial Accounts:** Hiding money in accounts set up for children or under false identities.
Cryptocurrency: Using digital currencies to move wealth outside of traditional banking systems.
Lifestyle Analysis
One of the most powerful tools we use is the "Lifestyle Analysis." If a spouse claims to earn $50,000 a year but lives a lifestyle requiring $150,000 a year, the numbers do not add up.
We reconstruct the marital standard of living to prove that the other party has unreported income or hidden reservoirs of cash. This evidence is critical not only for dividing property but for calculating accurate Child Support and Spousal Maintenance (Alimony).
Business Valuation in Divorce
For business owners, the business is often the most valuable asset in the marriage. However, valuing a business for the purpose of divorce is highly complex and contentious.
If your spouse owns a business, they may attempt to artificially lower its value to reduce the amount they must pay you. They might:
Run personal expenses (cars, vacations, meals) through the business to lower "profit."
Pre-pay business expenses or delay invoicing clients to make the current year look bad.
Claim that the business has no value without their personal involvement (personal goodwill).
The Elite Law Group works to ensure a fair valuation. We understand how to read balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and general ledgers. When necessary, we collaborate with forensic accountants and business valuation experts to produce a defensible, accurate value of the business enterprise, ensuring you receive your equitable share.
Dissipation of Marital Assets
In Illinois, "dissipation" occurs when a spouse uses marital funds for a purpose unrelated to the marriage at a time when the marriage is undergoing an "irretrievable breakdown."
Common examples of dissipation include:
Spending money on a paramour (girlfriend/boyfriend), including gifts, meals, and travel.
Reckless gambling losses.
Excessive spending on alcohol or drugs.
Intentional destruction of property.
If we uncover evidence of dissipation, we can ask the court to order the wasteful spouse to reimburse the marital estate. This means you could receive a larger share of the remaining assets to make up for the money your spouse wasted. This is a key part of our commitment to pursuing the best possible outcome for our clients.
Tracing Separate (Non-Marital) Property
Illinois is an "equitable distribution" state, meaning marital property is divided fairly (though not always equally). However, Non-Marital Property (assets owned before the marriage or received by gift/inheritance) is generally exempt from division.
The challenge arises when these funds are "commingled" (mixed) with marital funds. For example, if you used an inheritance to pay for a renovation on the marital home, you might lose your right to that money unless you can trace it.
We provide meticulous Tracing services. We follow the paper trail through years of transfers and deposits to prove that a specific asset belongs solely to you (or to prove that your spouse's claim of "separate property" is false). Protecting your separate property is essential to preserving your long-term wealth.
Distinguished, Innovative Solutions
We do not believe that financial clarity should be a privilege reserved for the ultra-wealthy. We employ distinguished, innovative solutions to investigate financial discrepancies efficiently. Founder Schylon Lane leverages her legal acumen to identify red flags early, allowing us to focus our investigation where it matters most, saving you time and money.
Compassionate and Reputable Service
Discovering "financial infidelity"—that your spouse has been hiding money or lying to you—can be just as painful as discovering romantic infidelity. We understand the emotional toll this takes. We strive to make a difference in the lives of our clients through compassionate, personalized service. We handle the investigation with discretion and professionalism, giving you the facts you need to make empowered decisions.
Dedicated Expertise
We are dedicated experts in Illinois Family Law. We understand the nuances of the Cook County court system and what judges require to prove hidden assets or income. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, building a fortress of evidence that often compels the other side to settle fairly.
Why Choose The Elite Law Group?
Forensic investigation sounds expensive, and at many "Big Law" firms, it is. However, The Elite Law Group was founded on the principle of providing exceptional and reputable legal services, equally affordable for all.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you suspect your spouse is hiding assets, underreporting income, or dissipating marital funds, you cannot afford to wait. The sooner we begin the investigation, the better chance we have of securing the assets.
The Elite Law Group is your dedicated partner in justice. We are ready to shine a light on the truth and protect your financial future.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation with Schylon Lane. Let us provide the exceptional representation you need to navigate the complexity of your financial life.