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Please help me! Corrupt ex hiding assets - will expose the day after alimony ends.

  • Thread starter Thread starter catch23
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C

catch23

Guest
What is the name of your state? CA, Los Angeles

I'd like to thank you in advance for reading my long post and responding. I am having my inquiry translated by an interpreter.

My query:
1) I would like to know what my chances of getting permanent alimony
2) Possible modification in the material portions of the divorce agreement.
3) Is it possible to file a secret motion of extension to the court before alimony ends that would be made known to my ex after he exposes all his assets?
4) Can the court retroactively recharacterize separate property to community property?
5) How can I get info of his private overseas funds?
6) how soon before alimony ends do I need to file for an extension?
7) Can I drag his wife into it? (since she was actively involved in hiding the money?)

Personal background information:
I am a 62 year old Japanese woman and my ex is also 62. I was married for 27 years to one person. No prenuptual agreement. I am currently single. I have been divorced for 9 years. The divorce proceeding was subject the jurisidiction of Los Angeles, California. The original alimony agreement extends until April 2004 (for 10 years). My ex and I are still residents of Los Angeles. We are both US citizens. I am receiving $4,500 per month in alimony. My children were adults at the time of the divorce.

Marriage history and standard of living:
I came to America when I was 26 years old. I was sponsored by FTD (floral arranging is my only skill) I have only a high school education. I married my tradtional Japanese husband with the understanding that I was to raise a family. He graduated from a prestigious Japanese University and came to the US to attend grad school. I quit work and he was the sole bread winner. In 1976, (6 years after our marriage), he opened a business (now still a sole proprietorship.) It did unexpectedly well. He was netting approx. $144,000 in his first year of business and has grown exponentially over the years. Today the co is netting over $23 million a year.

Typcial spending during the marriage:
Family home which I still live in: 1980 - $500,000 (which I received in the divorce with a mortage still owning on it- which I pay for to this day)
1984 BMW 733i - $43,000 cash
1985 Porsche 928s - $50,000 cash
Home in Tahoe Keys - 1984 - $800,000 cash
Monthly allowance from separate bank account established after the marriage - ~ $ 10,000 per month

Things I found out he bought for his girlfriend during the marriage which I found out after the divorce:
1982 South Pasadena Condo - $500,000 (in his girlfriend's name)
Lexus SC 300 - don't know value
Lexus LS 300 - don't know value
Plane tickets to visit her family ever month in Japan - first class on ANA and JAL

In 1983, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and lost the use of my left hand as a result. My only skill of flower arranging became useless. When at the doctor, I found out I had contracted genital warts from my husband. I have never been intimate or even kissed anyone else. I was told this condition could lead to cervical cancer. So I have been going to the ob gyn a few times a year to "burn" off the warts. I found out later than he had been cheating on me with another woman (bar maid). He is now married to this woman.

I made the mistake of threatening to file for divorce four years before I actually did. My ex was paying my attorney's fees during the divorce on his own volition - they became friends during the divorce. This gave him ample time to hide most of his money (cash). He transferred it his rich friends and girlfriend's family in Japan. The judge said it was too difficult to prove it was done in anticipation of divorce and that such a hefty gift was not uncommon for a man with money. During this time, he hired his then girlfriend to work at his company. He paid his girlfriend a paycheck of several million per year to her and paid himself oly $100,000 a year. He made me sign a document which later I found out was a quitclaim to the home in Lake Tahoe. When the matter went before the judge, it was determined that his income was only $100,000/ year.

I feel my attorney was not exhausting all possible avenues for my best interest. When I found out he was retiring, I asked him for my file. He took about 7 days to "dig it out" at which time, I noticed almost half of it was missing.

My ex has ties with the Japanese mafia and very influential in Los Angeles. He has a very "good" CPA. The branch manager of the bank he does business with is his good friend from college and has passed forged checks made out to him. He is a well-respected business man and no one would testify for me at the divorce hearing. He good buddies with the police chief. He was even arrested on suspicion of murder in FL and Truckee but all the witnesses "suddenly" died or became ill. He was let off.

I felt I did not receive a fair trial. I told my attorney that I only wanted the house free and clear, 50% in the company, and all medical bills paid stemming from the genital warts. He did not ask for anything of that nature. He also did not assert that my marriage was long term and that I should receive permanent alimony since I was not able to obtain new job skills to support myself.

What I received from the divorce:
1) I received a home valued at $1.5 mill with a $700,000 mortage on it. (when my ex smelled a divorce, his "company" borrowed from his bank using the house as collateral under the authorization of the branch manager - his "good friend".)
2) no interest in the company
3) $4,500 gross alimony per month for ten years

I have found a job that pays $900/month and I have $200 left over at the end of the month to buy a car someday. Within the past year, I have found out will be completely blind one eye within 5 years.

The statute of limitations has passed for filing a claim of malpractice against my attorney. No one will testify on my behalf for fear of death. My ex now openly brags that he will expose his true assets the day after alimony ends. He plans to "sell" his company for pennies to a "good friend" before the alimony ends, file for chpater 7 bankruptcy, and move to Japan. I think it would be safe to assume that he will be receiving substantial "gifts of money" from the new owner....cloaking his income.

My wish is to know if there is a possible way to notify the court of what will happen, file secretly for a passive extension which will become active once he exposes his assets. Can I drag his wife into it? (since she was actively involved in hiding the money?)

These are my problems:
1) no one in the Greater Los Angeles area will represent me when they hear my last name.
2) I cannot afford an attorney - and I can't let my ex "find" one for me.
3) No one that has knowledge of my exes activities will admit to any of it - the last time one of the witnesses refused to testify, he was held in "jail(?)"...my ex paid the fine and the "friend" AKA my witness walked the very next day.

I have not yet contacted an attorney.
Again I thank everyone for reading my post.
 


H

hound dog

Guest
GEEEZZZ well it sounds like it is useless to even fight. He sounds like a very powerful man. So I say let it go. I am sorry but you should have gotten more from your marriage then you did if he paid your lawyer then your lawyer was working for him not you. You got a raw deal. With no money to get a lawyer I do not see how you think you can do it? Good Luck!
 
C

catch23

Guest
Thanks so much for your reply. My children are in the process of getting loans to help my legal fight....so that should help me from the monetary angle.

From a legal stand point...
what can I do in regards to my questions?

Thanks
 
Last edited:

djohnson

Senior Member
If your children raise enough money to help you try contacting attorneys outside your area.

There are honest attorneys out there that aren't afraid to fight.

You have alot of equity in your home. It would probably help you to sell it and take that equity to help you live if case this doesn't work out.

I know it probably is not what you want to do but you have been very fortunate thus far in getting what you have. Alot of women don't get anything so it could be worse.
 

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