Process
Hidden asset investigation, start to finish
A hidden asset investigation is not surveillance and it is not a database lookup. It is a structured reconciliation between what a subject claims and what the public record shows, delivered as exhibits your counsel can file.
Signals that money is being hidden
Day 1 — intake
Names, addresses, entities, jurisdictions and any documents you already hold are loaded into the case file.
Days 1-3 — collection
Recorded property, entity registrations, liens, judgments and litigation are pulled across every jurisdiction of interest.
Days 3-5 — resolution
Records are matched to the subject, shells and nominees are linked, and each connection is scored for confidence.
Day 5 — dossier
Findings, timeline, source documents and chain of custody are delivered in one filing-ready package.
What gets searched
Everything lawfully accessible, across every county and state the subject touches.
- County recorder: deeds, mortgages, releases, consideration amounts
- Secretary of state: entity formation, officers, agents, status history
- UCC-1 financing statements and secured party records
- Judgment, tax and mechanic's liens
- Civil and bankruptcy dockets, including exhibits that disclose ownership
Entity resolution is the hard part
Concealed value rarely sits under the subject's own name. It sits with an LLC formed last spring, a relative on a deed, or a trust sharing a registered agent. Resolving those links — and scoring how strong each link is — is what makes the dossier usable rather than suggestive.
What the dossier contains
Each finding is stated, sourced and dated, so nothing needs re-verification before it is filed.
- Findings register with a source citation per line
- Transfer timeline with recording dates and consideration
- Entity graph showing control relationships
- Chain of custody for every document pulled
- Recommended next steps for subpoena or garnishment sequencing
What it is not
No pretexting, no account access, no purchased balance data, no surveillance. Those methods are unlawful and they contaminate an otherwise winnable case. Every line in the dossier traces back to a record anyone could lawfully obtain.
Model the economics, then open the file
The estimator shows what a trace returns against its cost. When the numbers work, secure intake takes about five minutes.
Common questions
How long does a hidden asset investigation take?
Most single-subject traces deliver within five business days. Multi-jurisdiction or multi-entity matters take longer and we say so at intake.
What does it cost?
A single case trace is $199 one-time. Solo Desk is $299/mo for three traces per month; Case Desk is $500/mo, or $6,000/year, with unlimited traces and analyst review.
Will the subject know?
No. Public record research leaves no notice to the subject. Notice only occurs when your counsel serves a subpoena or files a motion.
Is the output admissible?
Findings are backed by certified-obtainable public records with chain of custody documented, which is what counsel needs to authenticate them. Admissibility is always the court's call.
Ledgerhound works only from lawfully accessible records. We locate assets and evidence; enforcement runs through your counsel and the courts. Nothing here is legal advice.