Getting Your Paperwork in Order
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our attorney will need access to numerous documents throughout the various stages of the divorce process. Initially, some basic identifying information is needed to proceed with filing divorce papers with the court. Such information includes your full name; date of birth; maiden name; social security number; current address; full names, birth dates and social security numbers of all children; and documentation pertaining to any previous marriages, if applicable. You will also need to provide information about your matrimonial ceremony, such as when and where it took place and who officiated the marriage.
Additional documentation will be collected to estimate your joint net worth and to assess your current lifestyle/cost of living. For this, you will need to provide all savings and checking account numbers, including brokerage accounts, investment portfolios, retirement accounts and life insurance policies. Recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, real estate deeds and car titles will also be reviewed. It is important to furnish and distinguish assets which may be premarital, gifted or inherited. In addition to calculating all of your assets, you will also need to provide information to determine your total debt. For this, mortgage statements, car payments, all credit card statements and any other outstanding loans will be reviewed.
A list of basic monthly expenditures is also essential. Keep track of and record all regularly occurring monthly expenses such as gas, electric, water, phone and cable bills, as well as insurance bills, taxes and mortgage, credit card and car payments. Don’t forget to include miscellaneous expenses related to groceries; childcare; recreational and leisure activities; commuting; health and self-care; home maintenance and repair; and any other additional services. A realistic understanding of all your monthly expenses will facilitate the process of calculating a workable budget.
Whether or not you are currently working and regardless of your current income, you will also need to provide information that will help determine your earning potential. Therefore, information regarding your educational background and employment history will be collected.
Being prepared and organized with all this information will help facilitate the equitable distribution of assets as well as the overall divorce process.