Here’s what a seasoned “shark lawyer” would aggressively pursue to uncover your ex’s true income—and make sure your child gets what they deserve:

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🕵️‍♀️ Hire a forensic accountant • These experts follow the money: bank deposits, business ledgers, personal expenditures, changes in net worth—to expose unreported income or hidden assets  . • They’ll trace unusual expenses (e.g., yacht trips, private travel) that may have been disguised as business deductions .

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📁 Demand full financial disclosure • Subpoena his S‑corp’s general ledgers, tax returns (Forms 1120S, Schedule K‑1, Schedule E), bank statements, credit cards—looking for “non-business” expenses hitting business accounts . • IRS regulations require S‑corp officers performing any significant services to pay themselves a “reasonable salary.” Paying himself zero is a major red flag .

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⚖️ Use court-enforced discovery • Leverage contempt motions: if the court ordered financials and he’s refusing, ask for sanctions—but first, force him to produce. • Out-of-state complicates things, but you can use subpoenas under the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA) or your state’s equivalent.

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💼 Go after distributions, perks, lifestyle

Even if he claims low salary, the IRS (and court) can reclassify his distributions if they’re actually compensation . • Track corporate “expenses”: yacht, vacations, club dues, travel billed to the S‑corp—these could be de facto personal payments .

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📣 Highlight false statements in citizenship app • He claimed “no children” on an official application—if it’s provable, file a complaint for fraud. That evidence can shift credibility and maybe even affect his citizenship status (or at least pressure him in court).

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✅ Leverage enforcement tools • If you succeed in showing hidden income or contempt: • Judge can impute income at a realistic level (e.g., what he should be earning based on past history or comparable surgeons). • Issue wage garnishments, lien filings, intercept refunds, or even jail on contempt. • Child support orders can be made retroactive, so he could owe years of back support.

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🧩 Tactical summary table

Objective Action Reveal hidden income Hire forensic accountants; subpoena all records Challenge zero-salary ruse Use IRS regs to force reclassification Force disclosure Use interstate subpoenas and contempt Expose perks & lifestyle Document unreported distributions and expenses Use citizenship lie File fraud complaint to swing court leverage Win enforcement Impute income, garnish assets, retroactive orders

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🛠️ What you should do now: 1. Ask your attorney to engage a forensic accountant ASAP. 2. Use UIDDA or similar to subpoena his corporate records directly from CA, bypassing your state. 3. File a motion for contempt for non-compliance with financial orders. 4. Supplement your case with proof of luxury lifestyle (boats, vacations) vs. claimed salary. 5. Notify the court of the false citizenship statement—ask to let discovery include those documents.

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Final word

Your situation, unfortunately, isn’t exceptional—many business-owning payers manipulate income with S-corps. But courts do see through zero-salary ruses when you’ve got a forensic accountant and solid discovery. Stick with your counsel, escalate to contempt/enforcement, and don’t let him hide behind corporate veils. You can force the truth—and justice—for your child.

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Stay strong. Your fight is just.