what info do i need for my divorce lawyer

36 Pieces of Information Your Divorce Attorney Will Need

• Personal Information . Your basic information: full name, date of birth, and social security number. Contact information...
• Property Information . Addresses of property owned jointly or separately. Addresses of any mortgage companies you have...
• Financial Information . A list of all joint and separate bank accounts,...

Full Answer

What should I look for in a divorce attorney?

36 Pieces of Information Your Divorce Attorney Will Need Personal Information . Your basic information: full name, date of birth, and social security number. Contact information... Property Information . Addresses of property owned jointly or separately. Addresses of any mortgage companies you ...

What does it take to become a divorce lawyer?

Nov 23, 2018 · Documents to Show Your Divorce Attorney: A Checklist. ____. Individual income tax returns for past three to five years (federal, state, and local) ____. Business income tax …

What documents are required to file for divorce?

Oct 11, 2019 · He or she may want to see: Your marriage license; Your children’s birth certificates; Any court filings or documents related to the divorce proceeding; Financial information about …

Do I really need an attorney for my divorce?

Aug 28, 2019 · An experienced attorney will take charge of your divorce, but will need your help with some things. Your duties will include signing documents, providing facts and information …

How can a divorce attorney help you?

Luckily, divorce attorneys can help alleviate some of your legal and financial stresses by advocating for a division of property that works in your favor. If you've decided to retain legal counsel, you can help save your divorce attorney time (and save yourself some money) by gathering important legal and financial documents together before ...

What is the most contentious aspect of divorce?

Dividing up property a couple has acquired throughout their marriage (also known as marital property) can be one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. Luckily, divorce attorneys can help alleviate some of your legal and financial stresses by advocating for a division of property that works in your favor.

Is divorce complicated?

Divorce is complicated - legally, financially, and emotionally. Dividing up property a couple has acquired throughout their marriage (also known as marital property) can be one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. Luckily, divorce attorneys can help alleviate some of your legal and financial stresses by advocating for a division ...

What information is needed for a divorce?

Financial information about your bank accounts, assets, debt, and income; Any nuptial agreements; and. Any other evidence or information related to your divorce. This information will help the lawyer evaluate and understand your divorce claim, so that the process goes more smoothly.

What documents are needed for divorce?

It is important to bring detailed information and certain documents to your first appointment with a divorce lawyer. He or she may want to see: 1 Your marriage license; 2 Your children’s birth certificates; 3 Any court filings or documents related to the divorce proceeding; 4 Financial information about your bank accounts, assets, debt, and income; 5 Any nuptial agreements; and 6 Any other evidence or information related to your divorce.

What do you need to divide in a divorce?

When you divorce, you will need to divide up your marital property and debts between you and the other party. Depending on your situation, this can be a complicated process. The lawyer will need to understand what assets and debts are involved in the proceedings.

What are the issues in divorce?

Every divorce is different and may involve multiple issues. These can include dividing up property and debt, child custody matters, and spousal support. In order to understand your particular case, the lawyer will need accurate and detailed information from you.

What is a prenuptial agreement?

A prenuptial agreement is negotiated and signed before the marriage occurs; in contrast, postnuptial agreements occur after the wedding. Both of these are considered “nuptial agreements”, or agreements made in connection with a marriage. If you and your spouse have in fact signed a nuptial agreement, then it typically will dictate how your income, ...

Do you have to prove a no fault divorce?

In a no-fault divorce, you do not have to prove that your spouse caused the conflict or separation. Instead, you simply acknowledge that you can no longer get along in the marriage. In a fault-based divorce, you must show that your spouse caused the marriage to end somehow.

What is fault based divorce?

In a fault-based divorce, you must show that your spouse caused the marriage to end somehow. Common reasons for a fault divorce include spousal abuse, adultery, and abandonment. In a fault-based divorce, the underlying circumstances may impact several of your rights.

Starting Your Divorce Case

Your first divorce consultation will be at your lawyer’s office. At the initial meeting, your attorney will ask lots of questions, listen to the details of your case, and walk you through the divorce process.

What Do I Have to Do in a Divorce?

Don’t think that once you hire a divorce attorney that you can book a month's long vacation. You and your lawyer will need to keep in touch frequently as your divorce progresses. Your lawyer may look to you to provide factual background for the paperwork or “pleadings” filed in your case.

Do you have to disclose debts during divorce?

"All debts entered into during the marriage must be disclosed as part of financial disclosure ," explains Sember. "The court will determine which are marital debts and divide them as part of the divorce ."

What documents are needed for real estate?

Documents Related to Real Estate 1 Any documents showing the legal description of any real estate owned together or separately. These can be obtained from your mortgage company or bank. 2 Your current mortgage statements on any mortgages you have on real estate property. 3 All documents pertaining to the initial purchase of the real estate. 4 If the real estate has been refinanced, all documents pertaining to the refinance. 5 Tax assessor’s statement (s) pertaining to any and all real estate.

Who is Cathy Meyer?

Cathy Meyer. Cathy Meyer is a certified divorce coach, marriage educator, freelance writer, and founding editor of DivorcedMoms.com. As a divorce mediator, she provides clients with strategies and resources that enable them to power through a time of adversity. Brides's Editorial Guidelines. Cathy Meyer.

What is a copy of a financial statement?

A copy of any financial statements or statements of net worth prepared by you or your spouse for the purpose of securing bank loans or for any other purpose. Any other information that will establish your net worth, your spouse's net worth, your joint net worth, your income, and your spouse's income.

Is real estate a major asset?

Real estate is a major asset that will need to be taken into consideration. "Any real estate purchased during the marriage is marital property and will be divided in the divorce," says Sember. "Real estate owned separately (bought before marriage) could also come into play if marital funds were used to pay the mortgage or do upkeep or repairs on the property." Sember explains that "community property states 'award half of marital property to each spouse' whereas equitable distribution states 'divide property in a way that is fair but not necessarily equal.'"

What is a savings passbook?

Savings passbooks and savings certificates of individual or joint accounts held individually or jointly by you and your spouse. Any and all bank statements for the past three years from any account in your name or held jointly with your spouse. Statements from investment accounts you two hold jointly and separately.

Is life insurance considered a marital property?

Life insurance can also be considered a marital property . In some cases, it can be viewed as a form of spousal support. "Life insurance cash value could be divided in the divorce or the court can order a beneficiary change, such as to provide backup for child support," says Sember.

Do you have to disclose your finances during divorce?

If you’re in the dark about your finances, that’s okay. You and your spouse will be required to complete financial affidavits (disclosures) as part of the divorce process. The goal at this point is simply to begin identifying the puzzle pieces.

Do you need a financial analyst for divorce?

Depending on the complexity of your divorce, you may need a lot of documentation to give to your lawyer or Certified Divorce Financial Analyst . The more organized you are upfront will not only save you time and stress, but it will also save you money as well.

What is an exhibit A on a grant deed?

Copy of the current Grant Deed (s) with Exhibit “A” (legal description) on each property that shows how title is held (if the title has been changed, provide copies of all deeds from the time of acquisition). The Deed of Trust or Note is not needed.

Who is Jason Crowley?

Jason Crowley is a divorce financial strategist, personal finance expert, and entrepreneur. Jason is the managing partner of Divorce Capital Planning, co-founder of Divorce Mortgage Advisors, and founder of Survive Divorce.

What do you need to know before a divorce?

One is simple biographical information– your full name, address, phone numbers, place of employment, address of employment, date of birth, your driver’s license number, ...

What to expect when meeting with a divorce attorney?

If it is your first meeting with your divorce attorney, you probably fall into one of three categories. The first category is when you are unhappy in your marriage, know very little about divorce, and want to gather some basic information so you can make educated decisions about preserving or ending your marriage. You do not really know whether or not you are going to get divorced. You just want to know what your options are. The second category is when you have made the decision to end your marriage and you are meeting with your divorce attorney for the first time because you want to file a divorce. You are over a lot of the emotional pain and you are now ready for action. The third category is when your spouse has filed a divorce against you and you need to protect your rights. You may have been served with a citation — an official document from the court advising you that you have been sued for divorce and giving you a specific time to respond to the court or ordering you to appear in court on a specific date. Alternatively, you may have received a letter from your spouse’s attorney asking you to get an attorney and warning you that if you don’t, you will be served with a citation. In any event, it is time for you to respond.

What is a citation in divorce?

You may have been served with a citation — an official document from the court advising you that you have been sued for divorce and giving you a specific time to respond to the court or ordering you to appear in court on a specific date.

What is the first category of divorce?

The first category is when you are unhappy in your marriage, know very little about divorce, and want to gather some basic information so you can make educated decisions about preserving or ending your marriage. You do not really know whether or not you are going to get divorced. You just want to know what your options are.