Tips for Getting Prepared and Organized for a Divorce

Most folks are unprepared for just how emotional the divorce process is, whether they are the one who initiated the divorce, or the one upon whom the news was sprung. Dividing a couple and a family is a challenging process, so it might be helpful to some people to look at divorce as what it basically is: a business transaction about dividing up money and property and debt. Because it is going to be an emotionally draining process, one way that you can prepare yourself and protect your interests is to be impeccably organized. Work with your Knoxville divorce attorney to find out exactly what documents you will need, gather them as quickly as possible and keep them organized as the divorce proceeds. If you are going to become an emotional wreck (and it’s okay if you are; it’s an emotional process), you can at least avoid being a financial “wreck,” too, by getting organized.

Gather your financial documents in a safe place

You will need to gather:

• Your bank statements
• Pay stubs
• Credit card statements
• Retirement account statements
• Tax returns for the past three years
• Copies of your monthly bills, such as your
  • Mortgage statement
  • Rent receipts
  • Phone and utility bills
  • Insurance payments (if made monthly)
  • Educational costs for your children (if you have to pay tuition or the like)
  • Other monthly living expense that you are responsible for

Get yourself a three ring binder, a hole punch and page protectors so you can keep all of these documents separate. If you don’t have a binder, use a document storage box from the office supply store. Create a simple way of separating the documents into categories, so when your divorce attorney asks for something, you will know exactly where to locate it.

When your lawyer gives you documents, create a special folder within your binder or box to keep all of them in one place that is easily accessible to you.

Take an inventory of all of your separate (personal) and marital property

If the property was yours before you got married, and you have not somehow co-mingled it with marital property, then it will most likely be considered separate property. Some examples of separate property include things like an inheritance that you received before you were married, a personal injury settlement (the non-economic damages portion), and any artwork, jewelry or antiques that belonged to you. Take photos of the items along with their appraised value and keep the documentation with the other paperwork that you are assembling.

Prepare mentally

Make sure to listen when your divorce attorney tells you about how the process will transpire. Learn about how the division of assets works and whether or not you can expect to pay or receive alimony, and give some attention to creating a plan for your life after the divorce is final. There are a lot of free budget plans you can download off the Internet, and some folks we help find it useful to review those plans when they’re preparing for the future.

One of the best things about working with an experienced Knoxville divorce attorney from LaFevor & Slaughter is that we will handle the legal details so that you can focus on getting your life back on track and prepared for a bright future.

At the Law Offices of LaFevor & Slaughter, we protect our clients’ interests as they end their marriage. Please contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your case today with an experienced Knoxville divorce attorney today.