It is important to prepare for divorce or separation as early as possible in the process.
Even a “simple” divorce can result in complications. This can happen by not following the proper legal procedure or by not fairly dividing the assets and liabilities.
You can help create efficiency and produce a better result by gathering necessary documents and considering the items below. Afterwards, we encourage you to consult with an experienced family law attorney to make sure you’re on the right track.
A Checklist to Help You Prepare for Divorce
Use the divorce preparation checklist below to start preparing for this life transition.
1. Decide on Your Goals.
Be honest with your attorney about your goals. You may wish to reconcile with your spouse. You may wish to restrict your spouse’s access to the children via supervised visitation. You may simply want freedom. You may want to fight. Your attorney can help you distinguish between realistic and unrealistic goals. And, they can help you create a strategy to address your needs and concerns.
2. Gather Your Personal Information.
To speed up the process and make certain that you have the basics covered create a list or spreadsheet that includes the following information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Your spouse’s full legal name
- Your spouse’s date of birth
- Your spouse’s social security number
- Full legal names and birth dates of your children and/or step-children
- Date and location of marriage
- Your address and your spouse’s address, if different
- Date of separation, if applicable
- Your education and occupation
- Your spouse’s education and occupation
3. Ensure Your Privacy.
Change all your passwords and access codes. If you are still living with your spouse, you may need to open a P.O. Box to collect mail from your attorney or other private sources. Talk with your attorney about opening your own bank account and/or credit card.
4. Take Inventory.
Make an inventory of all real and personal property. This list should include:
- All Personal Property, such as vehicles, cash, jewelry, art, furniture, etc.
- Real Property, such as the marital home.
- Approximate value of each property
- The source of funds you used to purchase each property (inheritance, purchased prior to marriage, purchased during the marriage).
- If items are appraised, include this information with the inventory.
5. Create a List of Your Debts.
Make a list of all debts, whether individual or shared. This list should include mortgages, credit card balances, student loans, personal loans, business loans, etc.
- The balance of the debt.
- The date the debt was accrued.
- The interest rate.
6. Gather All Financial, Tax, and Legal Information.
- Obtain copies of all state and federal tax returns from the last five (5) years.
- Obtain copies of all household bills.
- Download online statements where possible. You may have to go to your bank in person to obtain statements for the last five (5) years.
- Obtain copies of all paystubs for the last five (5) years (not needed if they are fully covered on your tax returns and there is no significant change).
- Make a list of ay benefits provided by either spouse’s employer, such as retirement benefits, health insurance, stock options, bonus structures and the like.
- Make copies of all birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other legal documents (including prenuptial or postnuptial agreements).
7. Make a List of Hired Professionals.
Make a list of all the professionals your family has hired or worked with in the past five (5) years. The list should include tax professionals, accountants, financial planners, attorneys, marriage counselors, etc.
8. Make copies of all insurance contracts and the last five (5) years of annual statements.
9. Collect All Business Documents.
Collect all documents related to the business owned by yourself, your spouse, or your family. What is the registered name of the business? If you own commercial real estate, provide all documentation related to the lease arrangement(s).
10. Gather Credit and Social Security Benefits Information.
Depending on the complexity of your case, your attorney may need a copy of your current credit report and your Social Security Benefit Estimate. If you can provide this information about your spouse as well, it may be helpful.
11. Revoke Permissions If Applicable.
Talk to your attorney right away if your spouse is listed as your agent, your power of attorney, or a beneficiary. Your attorney may advise you to revoke certain permissions while keeping others in place. Your attorney may advise you to speak to your banks, creditors, and brokerage firms about protecting your interests during the separation or divorce process.
12. Let your attorney know if you or your spouse has ever served in the military.
13. Talk with your attorney about a Parenting Plan.
Last, but perhaps most importantly, talk with your attorney about developing a Parenting Plan while awaiting a more formal custody determination. Your attorney can walk you through the options to resolve your child custody and child support matters, ranging from amicable resolution to an emergency order.
Last but not least, make sure you have a solid support network. A divorce can be an incredibly stressful and painful experience. Make sure you have someone you can talk to whether that be a friend, family member, or therapist.
Meet with a Divorce Attorney in the NC Piedmont Triad
Going through a divorce on your own is a lot to take on. When you partner with one of our family law attorneys, you can feel confident in knowing that your case is in the hands of a trusted professional. Contact us today to meet with an experienced divorce attorney in Winston, Greensboro, or High Point!