Information to Gather When Preparing for a Divorce

As soon as you have made the decision that you will pursue a divorce, it’s a good idea to start collecting some important pieces of information right away. This could help you get a more favorable settlement during your divorce negotiations.

The following is some of the information you should consider collecting as you move ahead with the process of dissolving your marriage:

• Personal records. At the outset of your divorce, you need a great deal of personal information to prove you are married, you are a U.S. citizen and you have children (if applicable). You also need to establish residency so you can legally file for divorce in your local court. Some of the personal documents you should gather include birth certificates, immigration documents, Social Security cards, separation agreements and any prenuptial agreements you previously signed.
• Financial documents. Any documents containing information about your income, savings, debts or assets may factor into your divorce, along with child support and alimony. These documents include tax returns, payroll statements, insurance policies, retirement plans, mortgages, real estate deeds, household budgets, checking and savings accounts and bills.
• Business documents. If you own and operate a business with your spouse, you’ll need to gather some important business-related documents when you file for divorce. These include business tax returns, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, corporate records, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, insurance policies, contracts and credit card statements.

For more information on how you can best prepare for a divorce in Long Island, speak with a skilled family law attorney at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia today.