Digital Assets, Cryptocurrency & Privacy in Divorce

In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Ryan Kalamaya is joined by Chicago-based family law attorney Jonathan Steele to explore the rapidly evolving world of digital assets, cryptocurrency, and privacy in divorce cases. As technology continues to shape financial and personal lives, this episode breaks down how crypto works in divorce, common misconceptions, and practical strategies for uncovering hidden assets while protecting client privacy.

Guest Information

Jonathan Steele is a family law attorney based in Chicago with a unique background that combines divorce law with cybersecurity and digital privacy expertise. During the COVID era, he developed a deep focus on digital assets, authentication of evidence, and privacy issues—particularly in high-asset divorce and stalking-related cases. In addition to practicing family law, Jonathan consults on cybersecurity and digital privacy matters, helping attorneys and clients navigate complex issues involving cryptocurrency, digital tracking, and online data.

Episode Highlights

What counts as a digital asset in divorce
Jonathan explains that digital assets go beyond cryptocurrency. They can include domain names, software, online businesses, and other digital property.

The biggest misconception about cryptocurrency
A key myth is that crypto is completely anonymous. Jonathan clarifies that it is actually “pseudonymous,” meaning transactions are permanently recorded on a blockchain.

Understanding exchanges vs. cold storage
Ryan and Jonathan break down how crypto is held. Exchanges like Coinbase function similarly to brokerage accounts, while cold storage wallets (offline devices) act more like a private safe.

Why subpoenas aren’t always enough
Many attorneys default to subpoenaing exchanges, but Jonathan notes that this often misses the bigger picture.

The “on-ramp and off-ramp” strategy
Instead of starting with exchanges, Jonathan recommends looking at bank statements.

Cold wallets and the seed phrase problem
Cold storage wallets require a private “seed phrase” (often 12 words) to access funds.

What is Divorce at Altitude?

Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado.

To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here. If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at info@kalamaya.law.

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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.

Forensic Accounting in Divorce: Following the Money with Doug Cash

In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Amy Goscha is joined by forensic accountant Doug Cash to discuss how forensic accounting fits into divorce cases, especially when one spouse knows far more about the finances than the other. Doug explains the difference between tracing and following money, how forensic accountants differ from business valuation experts, and why getting a forensic accountant involved early can make a major difference in a divorce case.

Guest Information

Doug Cash is a forensic accountant with Eide Bailly whose background is unusually rooted in law enforcement and financial investigations. He spent nearly three decades in law enforcement in New Mexico and Arizona, including work as a fraud detective with the City of Mesa, as a special agent for the State of Arizona investigating insurance fraud, and in anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing investigations for JPMorgan Chase.

Episode Highlights

Why forensic accounting matters in divorce
Amy and Doug discuss how many divorce cases involve a major imbalance in financial knowledge. One spouse may have managed the business, accounts, and records, while the other has little idea where the money went or what the actual financial picture looks like.

Doug’s unusual path into forensic accounting
Doug shares that his professional background began in law enforcement, not accounting. He started as a police officer at 18 later moved into fraud investigations, worked insurance fraud and anti-money laundering cases and eventually transitioned into forensic accounting.

The difference between a forensic accountant and a business valuation expert
Doug explains that a business valuation expert is usually working from financial statements profit and loss statements, tax returns, and other summarized documents to form an opinion about what a business is worth.

Why source documents matter
A recurring theme in the episode is that source documents are critical. Doug explains that tax returns and sworn financial statements are only numbers on a page unless someone checks the documents underneath them.

How forensic accountants can help shape discovery
Doug notes that forensic accountants can be useful before discovery is even served. By helping attorneys identify the right documents and requests early they can make the process more efficient and target

What is Divorce at Altitude?

Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado.

To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here. If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at info@kalamaya.law.

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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.

Discretionary Trusts in Divorce: What Is Actually Protected?

In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Ryan Kalamaya is joined by associate attorney McKenzie Ralston to discuss discretionary trusts and how they are treated in Colorado divorce cases. Many people believe that assets held in a trust are “bulletproof” and completely protected from division—but as Ryan and McKenzie explain, that is not always the case. The episode explores when trusts are protected, when they may be considered property, and how trust distributions can still impact child support and spousal maintenance.

Guest Information

McKenzie Ralston is an associate attorney at Kalamaya Goscha with a background in estate planning and tax law. She earned both her Juris Doctor and a Master’s in Tax from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. McKenzie brings a unique perspective to family law by focusing on the intersection of divorce, trusts, and estate planning, helping clients understand how wealth structures like trusts are treated in divorce proceedings.

Episode Highlights

Why people think trusts are “bulletproof”
Ryan explains that many clients come into divorce believing that if assets are in a trust, they are automatically protected. While this is sometimes true, it depends heavily on the type of trust and how it is structured.

What is a discretionary trust?
McKenzie breaks down discretionary trusts as trusts where the trustee has full discretion over whether to make distributions to the beneficiary. This means the beneficiary does not have a guaranteed right to receive money.

Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts
Revocable trusts can be changed or revoked by the person who created them and are generally not considered property in divorce. Irrevocable trusts, on the other hand, cannot be changed and may raise more complex issues.

When a trust becomes property in divorce
The episode highlights that not all trusts are protected. If a beneficiary has a guaranteed right to receive assets—such as in certain remainder interests—those assets may be considered property under Colorado law.

The Balanson case and why it matters
Ryan and McKenzie discuss In re Marriage of Balanson, a key Colorado case that established that even a future interest in a trust can be considered property if it cannot be withheld.

What is Divorce at Altitude?

Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado.

To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here. If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at info@kalamaya.law.

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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.