A forensic accountant is generally an accountant with expertise in detecting financial fraud or manipulation in personal and business tax returns, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, broker accounts, offshore accounts, cash, cryptocurrency, jewels, art, cars, yachts, airplanes, real estate, life insurance policies, and related financial documents. This financial investigation work is often referred to as tracing, financial tracing, or asset tracing, and generally involves “following the money” by tracing a piece of financial information or data back to its source.

In divorce litigation—and especially in high-asset or high-net-worth divorces in which there is significant marital or community property—any financial manipulation or fraud of personal or business finances may have a significant effect on the marital or community property that is available for division, and on spousal support and child support payment amounts. One or both spouses in a divorce may hire a forensic accountant to discover any hidden assets or manipulated financial documents that may prevent the court from having an accurate accounting of the marital or community property assets and the spouses’ incomes.

In Connecticut, forensic accountants play a crucial role in divorce proceedings, particularly in cases involving high-net-worth individuals or complex asset portfolios. Their expertise in uncovering financial fraud and tracing assets ensures that all marital property is accurately accounted for during the division process. Connecticut is an equitable distribution state, meaning that marital property is divided in a manner that is fair but not necessarily equal. A forensic accountant's findings can significantly influence the determination of what is considered 'fair' by providing a clear picture of the true financial situation, including any hidden assets or income. This, in turn, can affect the division of assets, as well as spousal and child support determinations. The use of forensic accountants is not mandated by law but can be initiated by either party or ordered by the court to ensure a transparent and equitable financial assessment during divorce proceedings.