How does a lawyer find something you have of value? Very easily. They hire one of many firms that specialize in locating assets for attorneys. They can locate bank accounts, real estate, brokerage accounts, auto, businesses, etc. all in your name. In fact, many times a contingency fee attorney will do an asset search on you before he even bothers to sue you. He wants to make sure you have something of value before he spends his time and money. There is little about your personal and financial well-being that cannot be found. However, if the assets are not in your name and are instead listed in the name of a corporation, trust, or partnership, finding them becomes much more difficult (if not impossible) and expensive for the plaintiff’s lawyer.