Before you begin the process of filing for divorce there are some financial documents you must gather, which will make this challenging experience a little less difficult. No matter how amicable you expect your divorce to be, you can never be sure how your spouse will react once you move forward, which is why it is important to obtain these documents before filing. If your spouse is upset about the divorce, he or she might make it harder for you to collect the documents you need, which can cause the process to drag on until you have everything you need.
Documents Your Divorce Attorney May Need
No two divorces are exactly alike, so you might need additional documents that are not listed in this blog. However, do your best to collect as much as you can and your attorney will let you know if anything more is required.
Here is a list of financial documents you should collect before filing for divorce:
- Federal, local, and state income tax returns for the past three years
- If applicable, federal, local, and state business income tax returns for the past three to five years
- Proof of your spouse’s income and your current income
- Bank statements
- Pension statements
- Certificates of deposit
- Trusts
- Stock options and portfolios
- Retirement account statements
- Benefit statements
- Health insurance policies
- Mortgages
- Real property appraisals
- Property deeds
- Property each of you acquired before the marriage, including inheritances
- Wills or living trusts
- List of personal property
- Credit card statements
- Other statements of debt
- Monthly budget worksheet
If you and your spouse own substantially more property or have multiple businesses, the list of financial documents you need to collect can easily become far more extensive. As a general rule, it is always better to collect more than you think is necessary rather than less. Therefore if something seems important, make a copy of it for your attorney.
Moreover, keep your copies of these documents in a safe and secure location. Doing so will ensure none of the documents you are seeking go missing and, if you are not ready to tell your spouse about your decision to move forward with a divorce yet, you can keep it under wraps a little while longer.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Family Law Attorney Today!
If you are planning on filing for a divorce, there are some steps you should take before you begin. The family law team at Galmiche Law Firm, P.C. can advise you on the documents you will need for this process and, when the time comes to file for divorce, you can rely on us to provide the exceptional legal advice you need to move forward. Backed by more than three decades of legal experience you can feel confident that your case is in good hands with us.
Contact our law office today at (636) 552-4841 to schedule a consultation with our family law attorney to discuss the details of your case and learn more about your options.