It is the law in many states but unfortunately, I was extremely trusting and naive. It never occurred to me my husband would be so calculating and ruthless nor capable of what he ultimately was. In the years we had marriage problems I was no longer paying the bills for our home, investment properties, or business. I trusted him. I had no idea he was hiding money until it was too late. Bank records only go back 7 years. We had problems for 8 years. Then I retained a lawyer and the divorce was 5 years. People who want to hide money like this often use illegal means to do so such as an illegal trust not attached to a social security number and hide money out of the country.