Forensic Accounting in Divorce 101

Forensic accounting in divorce is the process of carefully analyzing financial records to uncover the full financial picture of a marriage. When couples separate, everything from income and assets to debts and business interests must be identified and valued. In this video, Sara Nanchanett, an experienced forensic accountant describes what a financial accountant's role is and the basics you need to know about forensic accounting when you're going through divorce.

A forensic accountant is a financial professional trained to investigate complex or questionable financial activity. Their role is to trace money, verify income, identify hidden assets, and clarify discrepancies so that the financial settlement is based on accurate informations.

Forensic accountants are often brought in when there are concerns about financial secrecy, business ownership, inconsistent income, unexplained transfers, or missing documentation. For example, if one spouse is self-employed, owns a business, controls most of the finances, or there are sudden changes in spending patterns, a forensic accountant can review tax returns, bank statements, profit-and-loss statements, and other records to determine what is truly marital property and what income is available for support. Their work helps ensure transparency and fairness, which can significantly reduce long-term financial risk, especially in high-conflict or high-asset divorces.

When the numbers are clear, decisions can be made with confidence rather than fear.

Sara Nanchanatt is a forensic accountant and the founder of S.N. Forensics, where she helps clients resolve complex financial matters involving accounting disputes, financial investigations, family law cases, business valuations, damages calculations, and business income claims. She began her career at Charles River Associates, supporting testifying experts on lost profits, FCPA investigations, white-collar crime, and insurance claims. She later led securities compliance and net capital investigations at FINRA and served as a subject matter expert at Travelers Insurance. Sara holds degrees/certificates from Brandeis, UMass Amherst, and Georgetown, is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified in Financial Forensics, and is a recipient of the AICPA Standing Ovation Award.

Contact Sara's website for more information about her forensic accounting services: https://www.snforensics.com/home