In Connecticut there is a procedure known as an Equitable Bill of Discovery. In effect it is a suit to discover pretty much anything you want to know about a defendant provided the inquiry stays within the confines of that knowledge that is discoverable through the legal process ( relevance, materiality, unprivileged, etc.).

There is also a procedure available in all suits after they have been properly served and filed called a motion for discovery of assets. During this procedure the defendant is required to disclose the amounts and locations of his assets in order to allow the plaintiff to attach or garnish them, and thusly freeze them to secure his future judgment. The draw back is that the defendant can require the plaintiff to post a bond to compensate him in the event of any damages the defendant sustained through the attachment/garnishment if the plaintiff loses his case.

Either way the suit has to be initiated before these procedures can be invoked. In Connecticut that costs $225.00 for a court filing fee. The plaintiff also has to pay a marshal to serve the papers on the defendant. That could cost an additional $50.00 to $100.00.