The legal and financial complexity of high-net-worth (HNW) separations is driving increased demand for specialist investigative support, particularly in the UK, Europe, and offshore jurisdictions where asset concealment is easier to facilitate. Law firms are increasingly partnering with private investigators to assist clients in navigating hidden holdings, disputed valuations, and non-cooperative spouses in divorce and financial remedy proceedings.
According to the UK Ministry of Justice, there was a 22 percent rise in financial remedy applications related to divorce between 2021 and 2023. This uptick has coincided with an increase in cases involving contested asset declarations. Legal professionals report that more clients are seeking investigative consultancy services to establish accurate financial disclosures and locate misrepresented or undisclosed property and accounts.
Periculum Security Group, a London-based investigations and advisory firm, has expanded its private client services in response to this demand. Led by former law enforcement professionals and security specialists, the group has taken on a growing number of HNW family disputes involving asset tracing across borders, digital evidence gathering, and reputational risk assessments tied to marital breakdowns.
Investigating Beyond the Surface
In high-value separations, disputes over property, shares, or financial holdings often extend beyond what is visible in standard disclosure processes. Asset concealment techniques can include layered ownership structures, undeclared offshore accounts, shell companies, and informal lending arrangements that obscure true value or access.
The complexity of these cases frequently delays proceedings and drives up legal costs. Independent investigative consultants are being brought in not to replace legal counsel, but to provide factual clarity about asset origin, control, and disposition. This work often involves data cross-referencing across jurisdictions, analysis of transaction histories, and discreet field inquiries when necessary.
“A financial disclosure document only tells part of the story,” says Oliver Laurence, Group CEO of Periculum Security Group. “Our job is to test those claims against source records, historical movements, and verified intelligence. We look for what isn’t included, what has changed recently, and what might be held through other parties.”
Litigation Strategy and Evidence Integrity
Accurate financial data is essential not only for negotiations but for litigation planning. Where a spouse alleges misrepresentation or concealment, the weight of evidence becomes a deciding factor. Reports produced by investigative consultants are increasingly being used in court as supporting documentation or to justify pre-action disclosure applications.
Solicitors working in high-value matrimonial cases report that early engagement of independent investigative professionals can reduce the time it takes to resolve contested matters and improve the strength of a client’s position during settlement discussions. In cases involving international movement of funds or properties held under nominee names, traditional discovery methods are often insufficient.
Periculum’s private client team works in coordination with legal counsel to ensure evidence gathered meets standards for admissibility and relevance. Consultants regularly provide affidavits, documentation logs, and context analysis for use in court or arbitration proceedings. This process allows legal teams to frame arguments around verified facts rather than speculation.
Cross-Border Asset Tracing on the Rise
High-net-worth individuals with international holdings present specific challenges when separation proceedings begin. Assets may be spread across multiple jurisdictions, with varying levels of transparency, legal access, and financial secrecy. According to the Tax Justice Network, over $10 trillion is held offshore globally, much of it through anonymous legal entities or trusts that complicate verification.
In one 2022 case handled by Periculum Security Group, an investigation uncovered assets held across three continents, including property, business interests, and trusts not disclosed during initial proceedings. The case eventually settled with significant financial adjustments following presentation of the findings.
“We’re often working against time, because once proceedings are anticipated, there’s a real risk of asset flight or restructuring,” says Laurence. “The goal is to provide early, clear information that helps clients protect what’s rightfully theirs under the law.”
Reputation and Discretion Remain Central
In addition to the financial component, HNW separations often carry reputational risks. High-profile individuals or politically connected families may seek to avoid public exposure of disputes. Investigative consulting services are expected to operate with discretion while still producing reliable intelligence that can be used confidentially by legal teams or in private proceedings.
Periculum Security Group has developed internal safeguards for client confidentiality and works under non-disclosure agreements in sensitive matters. Investigative consultants avoid tactics that could be perceived as intrusive or aggressive, focusing instead on verifiable records, digital footprint mapping, and local intelligence gathering through legal channels.
Laurence adds, “This work isn’t about surveillance. It’s about clarity, privacy, and reducing the emotional toll on everyone involved. The more information we can provide early on, the more quickly parties can reach fair, informed outcomes.”
Future Outlook for Private Client Investigations
As global financial structures grow more opaque and family dynamics evolve, investigative consultants are likely to play an increasingly prominent role in separation disputes, especially where significant assets and reputations are at stake. Firms that operate across borders and maintain legal collaboration protocols will be better positioned to meet the evolving expectations of HNW clients and their advisors.
The growth in demand for Investigative consultant support support reflects a broader trend toward legal strategy that values both facts and discretion. For clients navigating contested separations, the ability to obtain reliable, independent information remains a decisive advantage.