Insolvency Law · European Union
Trace and Recover What Is Owed With an Asset Recovery Lawyer
Winning a judgment or an insolvency claim is only half the story — the other half is actually getting the money or property back. We match you, free of charge, with an asset recovery lawyer who traces, freezes and enforces against assets across Europe, so a paper victory becomes real value in your hands.
- Asset tracing & freezing
- Cross-border enforcement
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
A claim is only worth what you can actually recover
Asset recovery is the process of locating, securing and ultimately taking possession of assets — money, property, shares or other value — that a debtor has failed to pay or has hidden. It comes into play for creditors enforcing a judgment, insolvency practitioners realising a debtor’s estate, and parties trying to recover assets dissipated or transferred before an insolvency. The work typically combines investigation and law: tracing where assets went, obtaining freezing or preservation orders before they can be moved, and enforcing a judgment or award against them, sometimes across several countries. A debtor who will not pay voluntarily is usually a debtor who has also made recovery difficult, so success depends on acting quickly, knowing which orders are available, and coordinating with local counsel where assets sit abroad. Left unaddressed, an unenforceable judgment quietly becomes worthless.
Why recovery fails in practice
Asset recovery fails on speed and coordination.
By the time you look, the assets have moved.
Debtors who will not pay usually plan not to be found — and value that is not frozen early tends to disappear.
Assets moved before you act
Funds and property are transferred, spent or concealed quickly once a debtor knows a claim is coming. Acting before the assets are gone is often the difference between full recovery and nothing.
No freezing order secured
Without a freezing or preservation order, a debtor remains free to dispose of assets while the case proceeds. Securing the right order early is the single most important protective step.
Assets scattered across borders
Value held in other countries is far harder to find and enforce against, and each jurisdiction has its own rules. A recovery that ignores the cross-border element usually stalls at the first obstacle.
What you get
An asset recovery lawyer who turns claims into value
We only match you with lawyers who trace and recover assets regularly, so your enforcement is pursued with the right tools from the start.
Assets traced & located
Your lawyer investigates where the debtor’s money, property and other value actually sit — including assets moved abroad or into connected parties — so recovery is aimed at something real.
Freezing orders secured
You get preservation and freezing orders in the right jurisdictions, applied quickly enough to stop the debtor disposing of assets while the claim is resolved.
Judgments enforced
Your lawyer enforces judgments and awards against the traced assets, including recognition and enforcement in other countries where value is held abroad, so a paper win becomes money in hand.
Value recovered, not just awarded
The goal throughout is actual recovery — money back in your hands — not merely a further judgment, with strategy steered by what can realistically be collected.
Coverage
Asset recovery lawyers across Europe
Tracing, freezing and enforcement are governed by national law and, within the EU, by instruments that ease cross-border enforcement, so the right lawyer is one who works where the assets sit. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Asset recovery — common questions
What is the difference between a judgment and recovery?
A judgment establishes that you are owed money, but it does not by itself put the money in your hands. Recovery is the separate process of locating the debtor’s assets, freezing them and enforcing the judgment against them — and it is often the harder part.
How do you find a debtor’s assets?
Through a combination of investigation — public registers, corporate records, banking and property information — and legal tools such as disclosure orders, which can compel the debtor or third parties to reveal assets. Some methods require court approval, and a lawyer knows which are available.
What is a freezing order?
It is a court order that prevents a debtor from disposing of or moving assets while a claim is resolved, protecting them from dissipation. Freezing orders are usually sought urgently, often before the debtor knows of the claim, and they can extend to assets held abroad.
Can I recover assets held in another country?
Yes, though it requires enforcement in that country, which may mean recognition of your judgment or a local freezing and enforcement action. Within the EU, instruments exist to simplify this, but it still usually needs coordination with lawyers in the relevant jurisdiction.
What can I recover if the debtor has nothing?
Recovery depends on there being assets to reach — if a debtor is genuinely insolvent with no assets, little can be collected. However, investigations often uncover assets that were moved or hidden, so it is worth exploring before concluding the position is hopeless.
How quickly should I act to recover assets?
As soon as possible. Assets are most recoverable before a debtor knows a claim is coming, because dissipation is hardest to prevent once it has begun. Early tracing and freezing orders are frequently decisive in whether you recover anything at all.
Free case review
Turn your claim into real money
Tell us who owes you, how much, and where you believe their assets sit, and we’ll connect you with an asset recovery lawyer who traces and recovers value across Europe every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.