Getting Your Divorce Paperwork in Order
As part of the preparatory stages of divorce, you’ll need to gather a number of personal documents and financial records. Take the time to make copies of the following files so they are easily accessible when you need them.
Financial Records
A key component of property division is asset disclosure. In order to disclose your property and potential debt honestly and completely, you must be thorough in your provision of financial documents. Prepare to submit:
- Household budget and expenses
- Individual and joint bank account statements
- Individual and joint credit card statements
- Insurance policies
- Loan documents
- Paystubs including overtime or bonus payments
- Retirement account statements
- Tax records for at least the past three years
It’s important to be thorough with the details regarding marital expenses, especially when seeking alimony. Providing records of housing costs, leisure activities you enjoyed, and more can help define the marital standard of living.
Personal Records
You will need select personal records before you can proceed with the divorce process. Locate and make copies of the following:
- Birth certificate
- Death certificate of late spouse, if applicable from a previous marriage
- Divorce judgements from previous marriages
- Employment contracts
- Marriage license
- Prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreement, or separation agreement
- Social Security cards
It’s also important to locate your children’s documents, such as their birth certificates and Social Security cards.
Separate Assets
While you are entitled to your individual assets, it’s still important to be transparent in disclosing their existence during the divorce process. Organize the following documents:
- Business records, including assets, debts, revenue, and ownership information
- Documentation of separate land
- List of other assets and their appraised value
- Titles or loan statements for separate vehicles
Our lawyers can help you recognize the property you own and the appropriate paperwork you’ll need to show for it during your divorce.
Incriminating Evidence of Fault
While Florida is a no-fault state, any infidelity could affect alimony decisions. If your partner is at fault, or you suspect that they will attempt to paint a picture of you being at fault, it’s important to compile relevant evidence such as:
- Communication records, be them texts, voicemails, emails, or anything else
- Photographs
- Recordings or security footage
- Text Messages
If you have any documents that can point to the fault of your partner, or your own innocence, collect them for court.
At Beaulieu-Fawcett | Newell Law Group, P.A., we offer a personalized approach to every case. We will help you prepare these documents and move through the divorce process with you. Contact us online or at (561) 600-5711 to begin.