Acquiring a divorce in Texas requires an overwhelming amount of paperwork. Regardless of where you are in the divorce process – whether you’re just contemplating separation, or you’re in thick of a bitter battle – it’s a good idea to start collecting all the important documents you will need throughout the proceedings.
Starting a Divorce File
Begin gathering all the following documents and store them in a file folder in a safe place. If you don’t have all the documents on hand, you’ll want to begin ordering/requesting copies of them from the appropriate agencies and businesses as soon as possible.
Paperwork to add to your divorce folder includes the following:
- Personal records – Some of the documents you’ll need include your marriage certificate, birth certificates and social security cards for both spouses and any children, other divorce papers from prior marriages, and any legal agreements you have with your spouse (e.g., prenuptial agreement, separation agreement).
- Financial records – Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, retirement account information, a list of monthly expenditures, insurance policies, and lease agreements.
- Assets/Debts information – You’ll need to have a detailed list of, and accurate paperwork for, all your assets and debts including credit cards, mortgages, cars, real estate, valuables, safe deposit boxes.
- Business records – If you own a business, you’ll need all your business financial records including tax returns, balance sheets, financial statements, and contracts.
- Evidence – If either you or your spouse is pursuing a fault-based divorce, you’ll need to collect evidence to either support your claims or defend against your spouse’s claims. This could be things such as photo and videos (in the instance of adultery), or witness testimonies of your good parenting (in the case of a custody battle).
Sharing Your Documents with Your Divorce Attorney
After you have collected all the pertinent paperwork, make sure to provide your lawyer with a copy to get the ball rolling. If you have any questions about paperwork or divorce in general, feel free to contact our law firm in Texas, Warren & Migliaccio, for free, no-obligation consultation. Call us at (888) 584-9614.
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