It is clear that hiding assets from an estranged spouse during a divorce is illegal, but some still do it. Over 30 percent of all adults surveyed who had assets combined with those of a partner or spouse admitted that they had lied about some financial issues. This especially occurs in a high-asset divorce in New Orleans and nationwide, as a spouse with many assets has more to lose and more varied ways to conceal income and property than those with fewer assets.

When someone suspects that a spouse is engaged in this illegal hide and seek game, there may be many ways of tracking down the hidden assets. In today's highly technological financial environment, some of the needed information may literally be just a few clicks of the mouse away from detailed disclosure.

The former president of Yahoo Inc., Susan Decker, has just settled a complex and bitter divorce case with her former investment banker husband, Michael Dovey. The woman was Yahoo's president until she resigned in 2009. New Orleans residents learned from media reports that the settlement was reached on the eve of trial and involved a complicated property division including the disposition of several homes. The trial was planned to last about 10 days, and involved subpoenaed records from the time the wife was in charge at Yahoo.

When more property and assets are at stake, divorces can be more complex and more challenging. In this case, the couple's joint holdings included approximately $71 million, divided between cash, stock, real estate and assorted other assets. The couple had a five bedroom principal residence, as well as a vacation condominium valued at $6 million, and two adjacent condominiums with a combined estimated value of $2 million. They also owned some land valued at $1 million. None of the real estate was encumbered by a mortgage.

What began as a legal battle over child support between a famed rapper and the mother of his alleged child has now sprouted into an issue of paternity.

New Orleans residents witnessed the events unfold when police in Louisiana issued a warrant for the arrest of a rapper that goes by the name Juvenile. The mother of the rapper's 13-year-old son was calling in all the unpaid child support, which she claimed was around $160,000. Once the warrant was issued, the rapper emphatically denied the charges and said he has always been a good father who provides for his child.

Research shows that divorcing couples in New Orleans and the rest of the country often fail to adequately explain to their children what's going on during the split. When that happens, kids tend to feel more anxious and upset, which can affect their long-term development and relationships with their parents. Although couples don't have to give the exact reasons for the divorce, they do need to explain what the divorce will mean to the family and children.

Experts say that couples should candidly share information about potential child custody plans as soon as they are drafted. By explaining the specifics of where the child will live and how the parents will continue to care for him or her, a child will feel more at ease. Also, parents should be careful to reassure their children throughout the process, letting them know that they are important to both parents. Parents should also encourage a child to ask questions about the divorce.