Tracing & Characterization

Jaclyn Franks provides tracing and characterization services to family law clients during divorce. In Texas, it is the responsibility of the person claiming separate property to prove that property is actually their separate property. That is where we come in. We have prepared numerous tracing and characterization reports using the tracing methods accepted by the Texas family courts and provided testimony throughout Texas.

We have also performed tracing and characterization for estate clients. Our reports have been used to facilitate estate planning and for distribution of estate assets after the passing of a parent in a blended family.

Whether for family law or estate law, we have traced many accounts over marriages ranging in length from 3 years to 30 years. We have traced asset purchases, capitalization of businesses, stock accounts, bank accounts, and other investment accounts and assets.

In conjunction with characterization and tracing services, we are often asked to calculate reimbursement claims to the separate estate of one party or to the community estate. We have calculated and testified to claims for reimbursement of property contributed to the purchase of a home or business, unnecessary or wasteful spending of one party, fraud against the community, and reimbursement or reconstitution of a separate or community estate.