Divorce Document Checklist

Whether you are simply considering the possibility of divorce or you have come to the decision to file a petition for the dissolution of marriage, it is essential to be prepared. While there are many ways to plan ahead for your divorce, one important step is to prepare a divorce document checklist. This checklist can help you to gather all of the materials you will need for your divorce case, including documents for property disclosures, documents that provide clarifying information for property classification and division, materials connected to child custody matters and child support that can arise if you have minor children from your marriage, and other divorce issues that may arise under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA). 

The following checklist can help you to get ready for your Illinois divorce.

Assets

You should gather documents related to any assets you own, and regardless of whether you acquired them prior to or after your marriage. The court will need to classify these assets as separate or marital property, and marital assets will be divided. This part of your checklist should include:

• List of all assets owned, including tangible and intangible property;
• Real estate purchase documents, including materials that show the purchase price of the property and the date purchased, the address, and the type of property;
• Mortgage documents;
• Real estate assessments;
• Documentation that shows where the money came from to purchase the real estate;
• Motor vehicle identifying documentation;
• Auto loan documents;
• Car title and registration;
• Bank account statements;
• Insurance documents;
• Retirement account statements;
• Investment statements;
• Stock options;
• Receipts for other assets owned, including purchase date; and
• Appraisals for valuable assets.

Debts

Marital debts will also be divided in a divorce. You should be sure to gather the following documents related to debts:

• Mortgage documents;
• Personal loans;
• Credit card statements;
• Student loans;
• Medical bills; and
• Loan application documents.

Financial Information

When the court divides marital property, as well as when it makes determinations about spousal support and child support, it will need a variety of financial documents, such as:

• Federal and state tax returns from the last few years;
• Recent pay stubs;
• W-2s;
• 1099s;
• Dividends;
• Property tax statements; and
• Social Security statements.

Personal and Family Information

You will also need to have documents ready that concern personal and family identifying information, such as:

• Copy of your marriage certificate;
• Birth certificates for you, your spouse, and any children from the marriage;
• Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and any children from the marriage;
• Health insurance cards for you, your spouse, and any children from the marriage; and
• Contact information for your employer and your spouse’s employer.

Seek Advice from Our Orland Park Divorce Attorneys

If you are planning on a divorce in Illinois, it is important to have an experienced Illinois divorce lawyer representing you. Our firm routinely handles divorces in Illinois and has experience navigating the complexities of the IMDMA. If you have any questions about creating your divorce document checklist, or the divorce process in Illinois more generally, our firm can help. Contact Demetrios N. Dalmares & Associates, Ltd. for more information.