Gathering Documents in Prep for Divorce

In prepataion for divorce we recommend that you find the following items and keep them in a safe place outside of the marital home.  If these documents disappear and you need them to get your name changed, defend yourself in a tax audit, travel, open new accounts, etc. you will spend a lot of time and energy tracking these things down. 

• Certified birth certificate
• Previous divorce papers
• Marriage certificate
• Social security card
• Passport
• Federal tax returns – keep a minimum of the last 3 years (5 is recommended)
• State tax returns - keep a minimum of the last 3 years (5 is recommended)Tax return documentation (W-2s, 1099’s, tax schedules, charity receipts, etc.)
• Bank statements
• Checkbooks
• Brokerage statements
• Titles to property
• Insurance policies
• Loan documents
• Wage statements