Asset Search

The asset search can be useful in matters involving litigation and in general business law. There are several levels of the asset search, from a basic search of public records to very thorough "deep" asset investigations, which can reveal hidden assets such as offshore accounts.

The asset search is indispensable when settling lawsuits. If an offer to settle a suit is made by an insurance company, such as in an auto accident case, your lawyer needs to be sure that the defendant does not have independent means to cover claims that exceed the insurance policy. If the policy were to be accepted and at a later date it is found that the defendant had significant assets, your attorney may be liable for the excess claim.

In matters where there is a potential for legal action, they can be used to determine the ability of a party to pay if the lawsuit is successful. In instances where one party owes money to the other, they are used to collect a debt or judgment. This includes the collection of small claims judgments. In some cases an individual may have declared bankruptcy, yet there is a possibility that assets may have been sequestered.

We often tell legal clients that discovering assets is an art not a science. This is especially true of the more thorough investigations in cases where assets are deliberately being shielded and hidden. In these instances you need the skills of seasoned professionals whose knowledge of the ways such assets are hidden enable them produce positive results on your project.