SingaporeMy spouse is hiding assets. How can I trace them?
In Singapore, the court has broad powers under the Women's Charter to order full financial disclosure and compel your spouse to reveal hidden assets during divorce proceedings.
What the Law Says
The Women's Charter gives the Singapore court wide discretion to ensure fair division of matrimonial assets — including the power to require complete transparency about all assets.
When dividing matrimonial assets upon divorce, the court must consider 'the extent of the contributions made by each party' and 'any debt owing or obligation incurred for their joint benefit'. To assess this fairly, both spouses must fully disclose all assets — known or hidden.
If one spouse suspects the other is concealing assets, the court can issue orders requiring sworn affidavits of assets, production of bank statements, property records, business documents, and even third-party disclosure (e.g., from banks or companies). Failure to comply may result in adverse inferences or cost penalties.
The law does not list specific tracing methods, but empowers the court to demand information necessary to identify, locate, and value all matrimonial assets — regardless of how they are held or disguised.
Statutory TextThe court shall, in deciding whether to make an order under subsection (1) and in determining the nature of the order, have regard to the matters mentioned in subsection (3).
— Women's Charter, s. 112 — Division of matrimonial assets
Statutory Text(3) The matters referred to in subsection (2) are — (a) the extent of the contributions made by each party to the welfare of the family, including any contribution made in the capacity of homemaker or parent; (b) the needs of the children of the marriage; (c) the extent of the contributions made by each party to the acquisition, improvement or conservation of the matrimonial assets; (d) any debt owing or obligation incurred for their joint benefit; (e) the needs of each party; (f) the duration of the marriage; (g) the standard of living enjoyed by the family before the breakdown of the marriage; (h) the age of each party; (i) any physical or mental disability of either party; (j) the conduct of each party if it is such that it would be inequitable to disregard it.
— Women's Charter, s. 112 — Division of matrimonial assets
What to Do
File for divorce and apply for ancillary relief (including division of assets) in the Family Justice Courts.
Serve a Notice to Produce Documents requesting bank statements, property titles, CPF records, business accounts, and tax returns.
Apply for a court order compelling your spouse to file a sworn Affidavit of Assets and Means.
Request the court to draw adverse inferences if your spouse fails to disclose or provides incomplete information.
Engage a forensic accountant or lawyer experienced in asset tracing if complex structures (e.g., offshore trusts or nominee holdings) are suspected.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.