Legal Definitions - stash

Stash (verb)

To stash something means to intentionally hide or conceal valuable items, such as money, assets, or other property, in a secret or out-of-the-way location, often with the intent to prevent its discovery or seizure.

Here are some examples illustrating how this term applies:

• Example 1: Financial Concealment
  A business owner might decide to stash a significant portion of their undeclared cash earnings in a hidden compartment within their office safe, rather than depositing it into a bank account. They do this to avoid reporting the income to tax authorities.

  Explanation: This illustrates the act of intentionally hiding money (property) in a secret location to prevent its discovery by the government for tax purposes.

• Example 2: Concealing Contraband
  A person attempting to smuggle prohibited goods across a border might stash illegal electronics within the false bottom of a suitcase, hoping to bypass customs inspections.

  Explanation: Here, the term describes the act of concealing illicit property (the electronics) in a hidden spot to avoid detection by law enforcement.

• Example 3: Asset Protection in Legal Disputes
  During a contentious divorce, one spouse might attempt to stash valuable artwork or expensive watches at a friend's house, hoping to prevent these assets from being discovered and divided as part of the marital estate.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates hiding property (the artwork and watches) in a secret location to prevent its legal distribution or inclusion in a settlement.