Ensure you receive an equitable distribution of funds in your divorce

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One aspect of divorce settlements is to divide marital assets between you and your spouse in a way that is both fair and impartial.

Your attorney can assist you with creating a divorce settlement strategy once there is an accurately itemized list of the marital holdings. In order to make this a smoother process, you need to furnish all the facts, both known and unknow to your attorney. The known information can be drawn by using the below checklist as a guide. The unknown evidence can be identified by using the service of a private investigator (see our services outlined below).

It is prudent to collect as much information as possible prior to meeting with an attorney to save time and so that he or she can develop a plan with your best interest in mind. For more information, see our Divorce Asset Investigation page.

Organize and gather these records that represent holdings of both you and your spouse prior to your first attorney consultation:

Employment

  1. Federal and state tax returns for the past seven years
  2. Business tax returns (for self-employed/business owners)
  3. W-2’s & pay stubs
  4. Any stock options that an employer may offer
  5. Consulting or employment contracts
  6. Benefit statements

Monetary

  1. Checking & Savings bank statements
  2. CD’s
  3. Trusts
  4. Stocks
  5. Bonds
  6. 401(k) statements, IRA, etc.
  7. Social Security Administration projected income at retirement (can be obtained by creating an online account at ssa.gov)

Real Estate for all property ownership

(primary, secondary and rentals)

  1. Mortgages
  2. Property tax statements
  3. Loans (refinances, home equity line of credit, etc.)
  4. Deeds
  5. Appraisals

Identify assets prior to the marriage

  1. Art
  2. Antiques
  3. Gifts
  4. Jewelry
  5. Furniture
  6. Family heirlooms
  7. Inheritances

Insurance policies

  1. Auto for all vehicles
  2. Home and rental
  3. Life
  4. Health

Automobiles

  1. Registrations and titles
  2. Maintenance records
  3. Loans
  4. Gas

Estate Planning

  1. Wills and living trusts
  2. Powers of attorney
  3. Healthcare proxies

Other

  1. Credit card statements
  2. Utilities (all homes)
  3. Major bills (medical, college tuition, children expenses)
  4. Monthly budgets

Business Owners

  1. Use the tax returns as a starting point and consider some of the above information as a start