Gathering Divorce Paperwork 101: How to Prepare

What’s the first step in preparing for divorce? Getting organized. Dissolution requires tons of paperwork and several meetings with financial advisors, attorneys, and real estate agents—which can be time consuming, confusing, and stressful. That’s why it’s so important to get organized and gather your essential documents prior to beginning the process. 

​Assembling your financial, real estate, and personal documents before meeting with professionals provides a general idea of your overall financial health, minimizes questions and requests from the experts, and negotiates an equitable agreement. It can also help you prioritize what’s important to you in terms of assets, and set goals for your post-divorce life. 
So, what documents do you need to present to your financial advisor, attorney, and real estate professional? DivorceForce has compiled a comprehensive checklist of all the paperwork you need to gather. Although the list may seem daunting, it’s doable. Take a deep breath, review it one by one, and make copies of the documents. If it’s too overwhelming, start with personal information one day, then subsequently move on to others in later days. It may take some time, but you can get it done.
Comprehensive Divorce Paperwork Checklist
Personal Information

• Name, Date of Birth, Social Security Number & Address of You & Your Spouse
• Proof of State Residency
• Employer Information (Name, Length of Employment, Pay Stubs)
• Contact Information
• Prenuptial/Postnuptial Agreement
• Separation Agreement
• Custody Agreements
• Child/Spousal Support Agreement
• Health Insurance (Partners & Children)
• Wedding Details/Marriage License 
• Domestic Partnership Certificate
• Spousal Attorney Name
• Children’s Birth Certificates

Real Estate & Asset Documentation

• Mortgage Statements/Lines of Credit
• Copy of the Grant Deed
• Market/Property Value Appraisals
• Final Escrow Statement From Close of Escrow/Settlement Statement 
• Home Purchase Price
• Form 2119—Sale or Exchange of Principal Residence
• Refinance Documents
• Tax Assessor Statement
• Rental Property List
• Vacation Property Information
• Homeowners’ Insurance Policies
• Marital Property Inventory
• Non-Marital Property Inventory
• Automobile Title/Registration & Insurance Policies
• List of Personal Property (Jewelry, Antiques, Art, Boats, Vehicles, Trailers, Collectibles, Etc.)
• Intellectual Property Records (Licensing Agreement, Royalty, Copyright, Trademark, Etc.)

Financial Information

• Monthly Budget Worksheet
• Lifestyle Expenses List
• Employee Pay Stubs for You & Your Spouse
• Three Years of Joint Tax Returns
• Checking/Savings/Credit/Other Deposit Account Statements
• Children’s Bank Account Statements
• List of Safety Deposit Box Contents
• Tax Refunds
• Life & Disability Insurance Policies
• Homeowners & Auto Insurance Policies
• Stocks, Bonds, Investments & Mutual Funds
• Stock Purchase Plans
• Stock Options
• Retirement Information (Pension, 401(k), Mutual Funds, IRAs)
• Unsecured Notes/Accounts Receivable
• Severance/Early Retirement Records
• Inheritance/Trust Statements

Debt & Credit Records

• Student/Educational Loans
• Taxes Owed
• Spousal Support
• Child Support
• Loans (Home, Auto, Etc.)
• Credit Cards & Balance Statement
• Credit Report
• List of Other Debts

Business Information

• Self-Reported Income/Business Tax Forms 
• Corporate or Partnership Taxes
• Five Years of Business Financial Statements
• Income, Expenses, Balance Sheet
• Partnership Agreements
• Corporation Formation Documents
• Stock Shares/Member Interest

Estate Planning

• Wills/Living Wills
• Powers of Attorney
• Durable Powers of Attorney
• Advance Health Care Directives
• Certification of Trust

Additional Documentation

• List of Marital Issues (Infidelity, Drug Abuse, Etc.)
• Temporary Orders (Restraining Orders, Temporary Maintenance, Child Custody, Visitation)
• Criminal Records
• Correspondence With Spouse

As you prepare for separation, build a divorce team to ensure the most equitable division of assets. Find legal, financial, real estate, and mental health professionals on DivorceForce to assist you in navigating this life-changing event. 
Written by Gregory C. Frank, Founder & CEO, DivorceForce
Gregory C. Frank is the CEO and Founder of DivorceForce.