Forensic Accounting & the Divorce Money Guide with Tracy Coenen, CPA | Episode 116

Divorce Money Guide: How to Spot Hidden Assets and Financial Red FlagsIn this episode of Divorce at Altitude, hosts Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha are joined by forensic accountant Tracy Coenen to discuss hidden assets, financial red flags, and how forensic accounting plays a critical role in a Colorado divorce. Many spouses, like the hypothetical “Melanie Wolf,” worry about a partner controlling the finances or hiding money during divorce. Tracy explains what a forensic accountant actually does, how bank statements and credit card records are analyzed, and when it makes financial sense to hire an expert. With typical forensic accounting costs ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, not every divorce case can justify a full investigation.That’s why Tracy created the Divorce Money Guide, a practical, step-by-step resource designed for spouses who suspect hidden assets but cannot afford a forensic accountant. The guide walks listeners through financial discovery, identifying red flags such as unusual cash withdrawals, missing bank statements, backdated documents, and sudden changes in financial behavior.Guest InformationTracy Coenen is a Milwaukee-based forensic accountant with more than 25 years of experience in fraud investigations and financial analysis. She works nationwide on divorce and corporate fraud cases and is the creator of the Divorce Money Guide.Episode OutlineWhat Does a Forensic Accountant Do in Divorce? Tracing bank accounts, credit cards, business records, and cash transactions to uncover hidden assets or improper spending.When Is Forensic Accounting Worth the Cost? Understanding the financial threshold and balancing expert fees with potential recovery.Top Financial Red Flags in Divorce Unusual cash withdrawals, disappearing statements, hidden accounts, excessive spending, and financial control tactics.The Divorce Money Guide Explained A 10-step system that empowers spouses to gather financial documents, assess fraud risk, and work more effectively with their divorce attorney.Peace of Mind Through Financial Knowledge Why understanding your financial picture is critical in any Colorado divorce, even if no fraud is ultimately found.What is Divorce at Altitude? Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado. To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at [email protected].************************************************************************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.