Arizona Divorce Checklist
People planning to file for divorce may be wondering what they need to bring when they consult with a lawyer and what the process entails. Preparing as much as they can before the proceedings begin will give them an advantage and help them keep a cool head.
Depending on the circumstances of the case, some of the items in this checklist may not be needed. It’s a good idea to consult with a lawyer who can provide an exact list of necessary documents to move the case along efficiently.
Here are some of the documents to prepare:
Income Documents
- Financial statements
- Copies of credit card or loan applications prepared by the petitioner or their spouse during the past three years
- Employment contracts
- 1099, W-2s, and other documents showing both parties’ end-of-year income information
- Pay stubs and other proof of income for both parties
- Individual income tax returns for the past three years
- If any of the parties own a business, their business income tax returns for the past three years
Asset Documents
- Certificates of deposit
- Bank or credit union statements
- List of safety deposit box contents
- List of the separate property of both parties, including property purchased before the marriage and property acquired through inheritance or gifted during the marriage
- List of personal property such as clothing, computer, office equipment, furniture, jewelry, and artwork
- IRA statements
- 401k or retirement account statements
- Life insurance statements
- Pension statements
- Saving bonds
- Stock options statements
- Stock and mutual fund statements
- Blue book values of all vehicles, including motorcycles and boats
- Appraisal of real property
Debt Documents
- Documents about any past and pending lawsuits involving either party
- Student loan statements
- Credit card statements
- Recent statements for automobile payments
- Auto insurance statements
- Recent statements for mortgage, home equity loan, or second mortgage
- Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance statement
- Recent statements for any other types of debt
- Recent utility bills
- Recent statements for other types of bills, such as medical expenses, school tuition, and cost of extracurricular activities for the children,
- Recent statements for tax payments
Child-Related Documents
- Annual daycare costs
- Cost of summer camp or childcare during school break
- Tuition costs for private schools
- Tuition costs for children with special needs
- Cost of extracurricular activities
- Any other extraordinary costs involving the children
Miscellaneous Documents
- Advanced healthcare directives
- Wills
- Powers of attorney
- Trusts
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Contact Goldman Law, LLC in Central Arizona Today
A divorce can be a stressful and emotional process. If you’re wondering what documents you’ll need to present in court, it’s best to talk to an experienced and qualified lawyer who can help you determine which ones on this list apply to your case. They’ll also help you in gathering these documents—if you don’t have access to some of them, your lawyer can obtain them from your spouse by legal request or subpoena.
At Goldman Law, we understand that preparing all the necessary documents for your divorce can seem overwhelming. We’ve successfully helped countless clients prepare a strong case and obtain favorable results. Call us at (602) 698-5520 to schedule an initial consultation.
