Going Through a Divorce? These are the Documents You Should be Prepared to Provide.
While the divorce process can potentially be quick if you and your spouse are able to amicably agree on the terms of your separation, often the process can involve a deep dive into your financials to ascertain the appropriate division of funds and assets, as well as assist in establishing any possible spousal maintenance or other types of financial support.
If your divorce will be contesting issues of spousal maintenance (alimony), child support, or even attorney fees, your attorney will likely help you to complete an Affidavit of Financial Information. It is vitally important that this form is completed thoroughly and accurately. Even items that are inapplicable, or amount to zero, should be noted as such. These affidavits can vary from county to county in Arizona, but generally ask for the same information. For an example, you can view the Affidavit of Financial Information used by the Maricopa County Superior Court here.
You can also expect your attorney to ask you to provide the following information, among others:
- Tax returns from the last three years
- W-2 and/or 1099 forms from the last three years
- Most recent paystubs
- Checking account statements from the last six months
- Savings account statements from the last six months
- All credit card statements from the last six months
- All loan statements from the last six months, including auto and home mortgage
- All retirement account (pension, 401k, etc) statements from the last six months
- Current health insurance policy information
- Health insurance statements from the last six months
- Current vehicle values, per Kelly Blue Book
- Current property values, per Zillow, however a more thorough market analysis or appraisal may be needed
- All deeds, purchase agreements, and escrow documents
- All additional debts, such as personal or student loans
- All current tax liabilities
Be prepared to provide additional documentation as needed. Producing this information in a timely and accurate manner allows the divorce process to move more efficiently and prevents additional issues being contested in the future. To learn about how long a contested divorce can take, visit here.
If you are considering filing for divorce, it would be prudent to start compiling this information in advance. However, your attorney and paralegals will also guide you in gathering the needed information.
Rideout Law Group handles cases throughout the entire state of Arizona, with offices located in Scottsdale and Lake Havasu City. Our attorneys are experienced in handling contested divorce cases. For a free consultation, call 480-584-3328.