When one spouse has always handled the money, the other often enters a divorce without a clear picture of what the marriage is actually worth. Bank statements only go back so far. A business "isn't making anything this year." The financial affidavit arrives and the numbers feel thin, but you can't say exactly why. In this episode, host Gerard Virga, founding attorney of The Virga Law Firm, sits down with forensic accountant Jason Soman, CPA/ABV, ASA, CFE, CDFA, founder of Soman Forensic & Valuation CPAs, to walk through how financial investigation actually works in a Florida divorce — and how to decide whether your case needs it. Jason explains why he treats a financial affidavit and a set of tax returns as a starting point rather than an answer, how money moves through closely held businesses and personal accounts, and why he describes forensic accounting as a flashlight rather than a magnifying glass. Gerard and Jason also take on the question most people hesitate to ask out loud: when the cost of an investigation is justified, and when it isn't. If the numbers in your case don't add up, this conversation will help you understand your options before you spend a dollar. **What you'll learn** - What a forensic accountant actually does in a divorce, and what they don't do - Why a financial affidavit is a starting point, not a final answer - How income and assets get obscured through closely held businesses - The documents that matter most: tax returns, bank and credit card statements, and business records - The difference between sloppy recordkeeping and deliberate concealment - How to weigh the cost of a forensic accounting engagement against what's actually at stake - When to bring a forensic accountant in, and why waiting can cost you - How to find and vet a forensic accountant for a Florida divorce case **Questions answered in this episode** - What does a forensic accountant do in a divorce? - How do you find hidden assets in a Florida divorce? - When should I hire a forensic accountant during a divorce? - Is a forensic accountant worth the cost? - Can a spouse hide income through their business? - What documents does a forensic accountant need? - How is a forensic accountant different from my regular CPA? - How do I find a forensic accountant in Florida? **About the guest** Jason Soman, CPA/ABV, ASA, CFE, CDFA, is the founder of Soman Forensic & Valuation CPAs, a forensic accounting and business valuation practice serving Florida from offices in Miramar Beach, Boca Raton, Tampa, Naples, and Orlando. His work focuses on forensic accounting, business valuation, and financial analysis in litigation and marital dissolution matters. Learn more at somanforensics.com **About the host** Gerard Virga is the founding attorney of The Virga Law Firm, a family law practice serving the Florida Panhandle with offices in Panama City, Panama City Beach, Fort Walton Beach, and Pensacola. Learn more at thevirgalawfirm.com **Disclaimer** This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Every situation is unique. Please consult with a licensed attorney regarding your specific circumstances. forensic accountant divorce, hidden assets divorce, Florida divorce, forensic accounting, business valuation divorce, financial affidavit Florida, equitable distribution, divorce finances, high asset divorce, Florida family law, Panama City divorce attorney, Pensacola divorce attorney, Fort Walton Beach family law, divorce financial planning, CPA divorce, Jason Soman, Gerard Virga Soman Forensic & Valuation CPAs — https://somanforensics.com The Virga Law Firm — https://thevirgalawfirm.com More episodes — https://www.thevirgalawfirm.com/video-center/podcasts/
