Hello, I'm Karla Mitchell. Going through a legal case can be very expensive and challenging. I won't go into details, but I recently underwent my own legal battle that lasted several years. It is finally over and I successfully received a settlement, but I had to spend so much time studying law in order to play my role in my own court case. While I found a great attorney at one point, I felt completely lost initially and I don't want anyone else to experience the same thing. So I decided to create this blog for those who would like to know more about law.
Not all divorces are complicated, especially if you and your spouse are in agreement over who gets what property or if there is no property to divide. However, even if you and your spouse agree on certain things portion of divorces can be more complicated. What documents do you need to bring to your lawyer so they can help you get a fair settlement?
Tax Statements and Proof of Income
You will need to bring your divorce lawyer your individual income tax returns – this is federal, state and local taxes for at least the past few years. If you own a business or you are a freelancer or contractor, you will need to bring your business income tax returns, again for the last few years. Your lawyer can tell you how many years they will need to receive.
You will also need to bring both yours and your spouse's proof of income from your current employer. It is recommended that you bring your bank statements as well. This can show any other income that you may have including inheritances.
You will also need to bring – should you have it, a prenuptial agreement or separation agreement. If you have any employment contracts, you should bring those as well. A divorce lawyer could recommend that you bring your final will and any living will you have. If you have a power of attorney or any advanced health care directives, bring those too. They may play a part in your divorce.
Investments and Pensions
Your lawyer will most likely want you to bring any certificates of investments such as a stock portfolio, pension statements or retirement account statements, trusts, stock options and any other investments you may have.
Property You Own
Some of the most important documentation you can bring with you to your lawyer are those surrounding your household expenses. For example, your mortgage and what the payments are to it monthly, any property assessments you have had done recently. Any property that was owned either by you or your spouse prior to your marriage. Any property that you acquired either after you bought it or inherited it during your marriage and if you have any income property you own as well.
Other Property and documents
You need to bring a list of other property that is valuable that you or your spouse owns to the lawyer too. This includes a list of personal property such as jewelry, artwork, computers, office furniture, home furnishings, clothes or accessories that don't lose their value over time and contents of safety deposit boxes to name a few.
You should bring a list of your bills you pay, including utilities, school tuition and medical bills.