Preparing for the division of your assets starts with getting your records in order. Whether you have a family home, retirement savings or other valuable property, gathering the right paperwork early can help you understand which assets and debts you will need to address during your divorce.
Here are the key documents to collect before property division begins.
Financial account records
Start by collecting records that show your current assets and debts. These may include:
- Bank account statements
- Investment account statements
- Retirement account statements
- Credit card statements
- Loan documents
Reviewing these records can help you identify the accounts you will need to address during property division and build a more complete picture of your finances.
Real estate and property documents
Gather records that establish ownership and the value of your property. If you own a family home, rental property or vacation home, keeping these materials together can make it easier to identify the real estate interests you will need to address during property division.
Useful records include:
- Property deeds
- Mortgage statements
- Property tax records
- Recent appraisals, if available
If you own more than one property, collect records for each one so nothing is overlooked.
Income and asset documentation
Bring together information that reflects your earnings and other valuable assets. These records help show what you own today and provide context for discussions about property division.
Consider gathering:
- Recent tax returns
- Pay stubs or other proof of income
- Business ownership records, if applicable
- Vehicle titles and other ownership records for valuable property
Keeping these materials organized can also make it easier to respond if your attorney or the court asks for additional information later.
Put your documents to work
Organizing your records before property division begins can help you approach the process better. Store copies in a secure location and avoid discarding documents that could become important later. Bringing these to your first meeting with a divorce attorney also makes it easier to discuss your assets, answer questions and identify any additional information you may need to gather.