Wife discovers husband's hidden Bitcoin during divorce proceeding

[Litzki1990]

This incident is really interesting to me and in reality if there was such a rule in my country and if the husband would have known this news just before the divorce, he would have withdrawn all his bank balance and converted it to Bitcoin.  Because giving away half of one's hard-earned wealth is a very bad thing for anyone. 

After spending 27 years together, Bill Gates and Melinda separated from each other in 2021. They got divorced. And in that divorce Bill Gates gave half of his net worth to his wife. I think Bill Gates would have refused to give his wife half of his net worth if he were anyone else.

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[bluebit25]

People often say that after marriage, husband and wife should trust each other and be transparent about their assets, but I think there will be a lot of couples who will not follow that. We all have our own secrets that we do not want to reveal, even when husband and wife are together. Some people will say that you are not respectful, but maybe everyone's situation is different and you don't understand anything. So it's best not to comment at all. As for this incident, I see that the decision on whether or not the property is divided depends on whether the husband has it before or after. And it is not wrong for the wife to want to divide the property in half because this is a citizen's right after marriage.

[passwordnow]

There's the intention of this guy not to declare it and thought that his ex-wife wouldn't find it out.

Being that she has found out, the law in her country may demand she gets half of it as well. It will really be hurtful to the man Because he must have been very disciplined in investing and keeping his Bitcoins to have that amount of bitcoins stashed somewhere. That is a habit he has already developed fully unlike his wife who may have little idea about bitcoins and will most predictable end up using it all. The man will be able to get more bitcoins and grow his wallet status back, but for the woman, she will not.

That's right but he has got no choice since they've been married before and he's married to the woman while he's getting and accumulating those Bitcoins. And probably that as per the law says, they're still conjugal with any investment that man is taking.
Thus, he has to split that into two half-half for both of them and the woman for sure will just have no sense of giving importance to it and might just spend that as soon as she receives it, while the man who patiently saved those Bitcoins might get more because of his discipline.

[South Park]

Hi guys!
I have come across a topic here that emphasized on the need to disclose one's Bitcoin dealings and seed phrase to his/her spouse incase something bad and unexpected like death comes knocking on the door, the husband or wife can have access to the funds and claim it.

Well... This story is quite different. A husband hid his crypto assets from his wife amid divorce saga, the wife had her suspicion, then hired a forensic expert who found out that during the splitting of the property, the husband failed to declared his 12 BTC stashed somewhere in an undisclosed wallet. She's now asking that the Bitcoin be splitted into two.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/05/20/bitcoin-in-divorce-how-spouses-hide-assets-crypto-hunters-find-them.html

Looks like some of the married folks are getting smarter... They don't want to be left in the dark, but are going out to get it themselves through crypto hunters. What's your thoughts on this?

In a way it is natural that under those circumstances the spouse which is bound to lose more from the divorce to try to hide some of their assets, this is nothing new, the only difference is that now bitcoin is being used to try to achieve that goal, however unless the person which wants to do this can hide their interest in this market completely from their other spouse then sooner or later their stash will be found out and they will get in a lot of trouble.

[tjtonmoy]

Rules are the rules. If you marry someone and the law says that you have to split all your assets during the divorce process, then it's not surprising to see that the spouse wanted the half of it. But if you really want to hide your holdings, then do it the right way. How can someone know for sure that you own Bitcoin? It's decentralized and should be out of other's reach if you can keep it safe in a private wallet.
However, that's just simple knowledge on how you should keep your bitcoins. But if legally she deserves the half of it, then that man is bound to give it to her.

[beerlover]

Well... This story is quite different. A husband hid his crypto assets from his wife amid divorce saga, the wife had her suspicion, then hired a forensic expert who found out that during the splitting of the property, the husband failed to declared his 12 BTC stashed somewhere in an undisclosed wallet. She's now asking that the Bitcoin be splitted into two.

Marriage has lost its value in our society ever since divorce was introduced into marriages, now woman just get married so they can divorce and get half of the mans wealth and go to spend it with some undeserving lazy man that didn't work and hustle when his fellow men were hustling to get their wealth. I don't blame the man for hiding his Bitcoin, he was keeping it to help him recover.

The man shouldn't give up his Bitcoin, the wife can take half of every other thing but his Bitcoin should be his investment for the future and not to be destroyed by the wife. If the wife takes the Bitcoin, she'll just sell them and waste the money as most divorce wifes do.

This is such a terrible and disgusting thought, I can't believe that someone could ever even consider this let alone outright talk about it. You are saying that WOMEN, as in you are saying an ENTIRE gender, marries men and then divorces them just for their money.

You are basically putting a blame on an entire gender for doing something wrong, this isn't about men or women, it's all about the person and individual. Plus, if the law states that people need to share half and half whatever they earned together when they were married, and him hiding it to not pay up, and you think that woman in this situation is the wrongful one? I am sorry but anyone who doesn't this man to pay up, doesn't know what marriage means, the moment you decide you want to marry someone, you agree that 50% of whatever you earn while together, belongs to her, if you disagree, don't marry, if you do marry, you already accepted this deal.

[Kasabus]

This is why you do not disclose your crypto stash to someone else, not even your spouse unless you trust them with your life or you believe that they aren't with you just for the money. The last one is very difficult to prove especially nowadays that a lot of people only want to exist and be showered with affection and pampered with material things. That is why I do not really agree to speed dating up to a marriage, not unless you know your soon-to-be spouse since childhood and you are sure that they won't flip the switch if it ever comes to that.

Hopefully though, the husband gets to keep whatever crypto he has for himself. It's bullshit that your spouse get to keep half of what you built way even before you guys met while the other doesn't really help add any value to your life in case you get separated.

We all know that once you are married, those assets that you have acquired at that stage of your life will be automatically become a conjugal property between you and your wife. So whatever you have, your wife will also have half of it. However, in this story, I think it’s quite unfair for a man to share his fruit of hardwork especially if he has gained it already even before he met his wife. That’s the reason to never trust anyone easily, even your wife as you can be taken advantage by it in the future.

[Falconer]

I'm just wondering why the husband doesn't move his bitcoin to other wallet to obscure his tracks if he wants to hide them from his wife? But he really doesn't need to because 6 bitcoin isn't that bad either.

If the wife has children, then the 6 bitcoins allocated to the wife can help her make ends meet after the divorce. Also useful for their children, so apart from the husband's responsibilities towards his children. But I don't mind the law there, it's a provision that needs to be obeyed. Even if those 12 bitcoin have to be divided in half, I think the man can also build it up better after a divorce.

[Vaculin]

This is the first time I've heard a story like that, it appears that the wife is quite smart for hiring someone to investigate whether her husband has bitcoin or not. However it also seems that she's being greedy by wanting to split his bitcoin investment in half which amounts to a significant sum of money around 6 BTC for each of them. I think the husband should have considered sending his Bitcoin to a family member such as his mother or father in order to avoid falling into this situation. He could have learned from the case of Ahref Hakimi who faced a similar predicament with his ex-wife.

That should be the best idea I guess. If he can’t benefit the most of his bitcoin, then he should make a quick move to send his bitcoins to his loved ones or to his trusted family or friend. That way, his greedy wife will have nothing to gain from him. And talking about crypto hunter, no matter how professional he is, as long as the evidence has gone completely, then he can’t do nothing about it.

[Finestream]

I think a lot depends on the kind of relationship and marriage people have. Some marriages are simply unstable, full of conflict. Some work out of convenience, mutual comfort but not mutual love or trust. So, of course, if total trust isn't a part of one's marriage, then disclosing one's BTC funds probably isn't a good idea.
From the article, it seems that what happens now depends on the state legislation, as some states have the policy of 50% of assets acquired during marriage going to a spouse, but others may not. Bitcoin is considered a digital asset (at least, by the IRS), so the court might actually oblige him to share 6 BTC.

In this case, the woman has clearly taken advantage on his soon to be ex-husband, but that’s how law works in most of the state. What the husband gets, the wife also can take half of it. So in order for this case to be closed, I think it’s a good idea for the husband to send to his wife half of his bitcoin asset. After all, he can start all over again acquiring btc even if that move will really hurt his ego.

[Texac]

This incident is really interesting to me and in reality if there was such a rule in my country and if the husband would have known this news just before the divorce, he would have withdrawn all his bank balance and converted it to Bitcoin.  Because giving away half of one's hard-earned wealth is a very bad thing for anyone. 

After spending 27 years together, Bill Gates and Melinda separated from each other in 2021. They got divorced. And in that divorce Bill Gates gave half of his net worth to his wife. I think Bill Gates would have refused to give his wife half of his net worth if he were anyone else.

You can't do it even before the divorce, the court will never accept it, and even you will be fined if there is such greed.  when not officially divorced, all assets will be considered common property, and we are responsible for dividing them equally when deciding to get married. 
In the case of Bill Gates and Melinda, I don't think they would hesitate to divide their assets between their spouses.  they are very rich and have lived together near the end of their lives, they will not be so greedy or selfish with their spouse because, in the future, that money will also belong to their children no matter who holds it.

[Smartvirus]

Well... This story is quite different. A husband hid his crypto assets from his wife amid divorce saga, the wife had her suspicion, then hired a forensic expert who found out that during the splitting of the property, the husband failed to declared his 12 BTC stashed somewhere in an undisclosed wallet. She's now asking that the Bitcoin be splitted into two.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/05/20/bitcoin-in-divorce-how-spouses-hide-assets-crypto-hunters-find-them.html

It makes such a long read. I couldn't devote my time to reading all its proceedings but, read most of it to establish an idea on the matter.

As much as divorces isn't very popular in Africa and with most of it still living like in the medieval times when tradition serves as the law and mainly favours the men, this is one reason why you would find African men not having to disclose there finances with there spouse. The responsible once do there best to provide what's needed within the household but, never discloses what they earn. Not because they anticipate a divorce but, as a means to keep their spouse's eyes off their earnings.

It's always amazing how two persons that once professed loved to themselves in the presence of others seek divorce with such greed without contended on whatever is split.

[panganib999]

Hi guys!
I have come across a topic here that emphasized on the need to disclose one's Bitcoin dealings and seed phrase to his/her spouse incase something bad and unexpected like death comes knocking on the door, the husband or wife can have access to the funds and claim it.

Well... This story is quite different. A husband hid his crypto assets from his wife amid divorce saga, the wife had her suspicion, then hired a forensic expert who found out that during the splitting of the property, the husband failed to declared his 12 BTC stashed somewhere in an undisclosed wallet. She's now asking that the Bitcoin be splitted into two.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/05/20/bitcoin-in-divorce-how-spouses-hide-assets-crypto-hunters-find-them.html

Looks like some of the married folks are getting smarter... They don't want to be left in the dark, but are going out to get it themselves through crypto hunters. What's your thoughts on this?

Eesh... And this is why you should sign up for a prenup.

Too stupid of him though, you always must diversify lmao. So at least the slightest suspicions could be diverted by a good stray asset, and your stash of bitcoins remain untouched and secure. If all else fails just file for a prenup for god's sake. Also, too funny to see the term "financial infidelity" written by CNBC, like what the hell you hiding your money for? Plus I think this kind of problem only happens in the US lmao, so I think every peeps in this forum, besides the ones in the US should be fine and dandy soon as things between their spouses get rocky, in the Philippines for instance, we have prenup but we don't even have divorce, so all separation of assets and valuables are done in good faith only.

Anyways, that's a long read, I couldn't bother myself reading the entirety of it.

[someone703]

The husband failed to disclose his holdings of bitcoin assets, so the wife has the right to request the division of the property because it is a right and an obligation under marriage law. However, if the person's assets are inherited from his parents before marriage, the wife will not receive anything from the bitcoins that the husband holds. In general, the direction of property settlement is still in the husband's control; if he is wise, he can find a way to defend his legal assets.

[ElmedoRator]

As a funny story that shows how the legitimacy of bitcoin or some cryptocurrencies can outperform the control of the law, sometimes we come across really tricky situations in life to realize that sometimes when the constraints in the physical world are complicated. Through this story helped me realize the superiority of bitcoin more, although not knowing the truth of the story or the complexity of the marriage story, it reminded me of some social media jokes. It is common knowledge that some people are willing to break the law and hide their assets into bitcoin after serving a sentence of many years in prison, they will become millionaires when they get out of prison.

[rat03gopoh]

Because giving away half of one's hard-earned wealth is a very bad thing for anyone.

Yeah, but that's not a problem if there's no fighting going on, even the husband is willing to give all out of love.
However, you get that wealth when you live together and definitely plan to spend it together. In the process of collecting them, husband and wife clearly play a role in each other even though people sometimes judge it as unbalanced. But a man isn't gonna bother to at least earn some stable grades when he has no family responsibilities because in fact he can even live on his own for a fraction of the cost of living.

[xSkylarx]

Divorce is a sensitive topic here in our country, and there are only a few here who do it, unlike in other countries where it is almost universal. My thought on this is that your ex-wife is not your true love, as both of you are going through this, and I think this is really the case if you go to annulment. You will need to give all of your assets or keep them in half, and this is really in the law. Though hiding it through Bitcoin is a good idea, there is a chance that they wouldn't see it if you didn't leave traces.

I don't think bitcoin holding is part of assets to be considered as divorce property if the government doesn't legalize its ownership unless in some countries where bitcoin is a legal asset and covered in government policy regulations otherwise, the man has the legal right over those BTC if and when it is purchase and hold in his private wallets.

Bitcoin is a complicated object in thos situation since divorce property sharing only covers what is legally owned by both parties.

So this is the way to, like, evade some of your money from being fully received by your ex-wife, right? It is a really complicated topic right now as we don't have any laws or regulations about it. We know that bitcoin was new when it was made, and I think as long as you don't declare it, no one will notice it unless it is the same with the OP. They will hire someone just to investigate you and find out if you have another account.

[spectre71]

The take away is that marriage is bullshit these days (In America) don't ever get married unless she is worth more than you and if you do heavy on the prenup. The law and courts are heavily hell bent for the female, always.

You are just a safe point as they look for the next best thing, with your kids and you paying for it.

[kotajikikox]

Hi guys!
I have come across a topic here that emphasized on the need to disclose one's Bitcoin dealings and seed phrase to his/her spouse incase something bad and unexpected like death comes knocking on the door, the husband or wife can have access to the funds and claim it.

Well... This story is quite different. A husband hid his crypto assets from his wife amid divorce saga, the wife had her suspicion, then hired a forensic expert who found out that during the splitting of the property, the husband failed to declared his 12 BTC stashed somewhere in an undisclosed wallet. She's now asking that the Bitcoin be splitted into two.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/05/20/bitcoin-in-divorce-how-spouses-hide-assets-crypto-hunters-find-them.html

Looks like some of the married folks are getting smarter... They don't want to be left in the dark, but are going out to get it themselves through crypto hunters. What's your thoughts on this?

even How smarter he is , still he did not managed to Hid everything from His wife lol .

Bitcoin is the best place to hide everything from another party even if this is our wife/husband but the way I see this? it looks like they are having a problem long ago this is why hiding happens .

because if they are not facing issues , i see no reason why they need to come across this case.

Me and my wife has no problem about me holding bitcoin and this saves us from any money issues because she knew that everything in my holding is for Her and our children .

[Poker Player]

Me and my wife has no problem about me holding bitcoin and this saves us from any money issues because she knew that everything in my holding is for Her and our children .

That is the logical decision, especially if bitcoin has a clear legal origin. For people who can't prove the origin because for example they mined it in the past and don't have the logs, or bought it P2P paying in hand, or saved it from signature campaigns without declaring them, the issue is a bit more complicated.

In those cases there are people who choose to hide it from his wife because it is something that can be turned against him in a potential divorce case.