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If you are about to embark on the divorce process, then you are likely aware of the complexities and the massive amount of paperwork that is involved. To help speed up this process, it is crucial to begin gathering certain important financial documents before attending an initial consultation with a divorce attorney. The more thorough a job you do of collecting these documents, the less time your lawyer will have to spend doing it for you, which can save you money.
Not only will collecting these documents save time and money, but it will also give your attorney a solid overview of your finances and what issues can potentially arise.
Which Documents Should I Collect?
There are a lot of documents that seem essential, but how do you know which ones are necessary to gather for your attorney? For many, this is a first-time experience, so the answer to this question might not seem entirely obvious.
We compiled a checklist of some of the financial documents you should gather prior to your first consultation with your divorce attorney.
Every case varies, but these are generally necessary:
- Federal, state, and local individual income tax returns for the last 3 to 5 years
- If applicable, your business income tax returns pertaining to the last 3 to 5 years
- Proof of current income for you and your spouse
- If applicable, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
- Bank statements
- Stock portfolios and stock options
- Trusts
- Statements for all retirement accounts
- Mortgages
- Pension statements
- Loan documents
- Credit card statements
- Health insurance policies
- Personal property appraisals
- Life insurance policies
- Wills
- Property tax statements
- Monthly budget worksheet
If you are going through a high asset divorce or you and your spouse own a business, your divorce might be a little more complex and involve substantially more paperwork. As such, it is crucial to hire an attorney who is experienced in handling these types of cases. You should also be entirely open with your attorney and ensure none of your assets or property are overlooked. Otherwise, if something is left out, it might seem like you are trying to hide marital assets from your spouse to keep him or her from receiving a fair share.
Reach Out to an Experienced Property Division Attorney Today!
If you are getting a divorce and are concerned about your property and assets, you need to hire an attorney who can help protect what is yours and ensure nothing that should not be on the chopping block gets divided. With the team at Kutty Law Firm, PLLC on your side, you can feel confident that your case is being effectively handled by our knowledgeable legal team. You worked hard for what you have and should not lose more than you have to throughout this painful process.
Contact our law firm today at (713) 955-7477 to schedule an initial case evaluation with a member of our legal team. You should not go through this all on your own!
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