Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC

Getting Organized: Divorce Document Checklist & Timeline

This checklist is designed to help you gather the documents and information your attorney will need early in your case. You don't need everything on day one — use the timeline below to prioritize, and don't worry if some items don't apply to your situation or you can't locate everything right away.

Timeline: What to Gather, and When

Right Away (First 1–2 Weeks)

☐  Marriage certificate

☐  Prior orders (protective orders, prior divorce decrees, custody orders, if any)

☐  Most recent 2 years of tax returns (yours and joint, if filed jointly)

☐  Most recent pay stubs for both spouses (last 3 months, if available)

☐  List of all bank, credit union, and investment accounts (yours, spouse's, and joint)

☐  Names, ages, and current school/daycare information for any children

Within the First Month

☐  Bank and credit union statements (last 12 months, all accounts)

☐  Retirement account statements (401(k), IRA, pension) — most recent statement for each

☐  Real estate deeds, mortgage statements, and most recent property tax statements

☐  Vehicle titles and loan statements

☐  Credit card statements (last 12 months)

☐  Life, health, auto, and homeowners/renters insurance policies (declarations pages)

☐  Business ownership documents, if either spouse owns a business (formation docs, recent financials)

☐  Estate planning documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney)

Before Mediation, Settlement Talks, or Trial

☐  Updated account statements as close to the mediation/trial date as possible

☐  Appraisals or valuations for real estate, business interests, or significant personal property

☐  Documentation of separate property claims (inheritances, pre-marital assets, gifts)

☐  Records of any significant purchases, transfers, or debts incurred during separation

☐  Completed Financial Disclosure Worksheet (see companion document)

☐  Completed Parenting Plan Considerations Worksheet, if children are involved

Full Document Checklist by Category

Personal & Identification

☐  Driver's license or state ID

☐  Social Security card

☐  Marriage certificate

☐  Passport(s), if applicable

☐  Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, if one exists

Income & Employment

☐  Pay stubs (last 3 months)

☐  Most recent 2 years of federal and state tax returns

☐  W-2s and/or 1099s (last 2 years)

☐  Documentation of bonuses, commissions, or other variable income

☐  Self-employment records (profit & loss statements, business tax returns), if applicable

Bank & Investment Accounts

☐  Checking and savings account statements (last 12 months)

☐  Investment/brokerage account statements

☐  Certificates of deposit or money market account statements

☐  Cryptocurrency wallet or exchange account records, if applicable

Retirement Accounts

☐  401(k) / 403(b) statements

☐  IRA statements (traditional and Roth)

☐  Pension plan documents or statements

☐  Military or government retirement/benefit statements, if applicable

Real Estate

☐  Deed(s) to marital and any separately owned real estate

☐  Mortgage statements

☐  Most recent property tax statement

☐  Homeowners insurance declarations page

☐  Any existing appraisal or recent purchase documents

☐  Documentation of mineral or royalty interests, if applicable

Vehicles & Personal Property

☐  Vehicle titles

☐  Auto loan statements

☐  Auto insurance declarations page

☐  List/inventory of significant personal property (collections, firearms, jewelry, tools, equipment)

Debts

☐  Credit card statements (last 12 months, all cards)

☐  Personal loan or line of credit statements

☐  Student loan statements

☐  Medical debt statements

☐  Any documents showing joint liability for debts held individually

Business Interests

☐  Articles of incorporation/organization, operating agreement, or partnership agreement

☐  Business tax returns (last 2 years)

☐  Recent profit & loss statement and balance sheet

☐  Any existing business valuation

Insurance & Benefits

☐  Life insurance policy declarations pages

☐  Health insurance policy information and current premiums

☐  Employer benefits summary (if available)

Children-Related (if applicable)

☐  Children's full legal names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers

☐  Current school/daycare enrollment information

☐  Medical and dental provider information

☐  Existing custody, guardianship, or paternity orders

☐  Documentation of childcare, medical, or extracurricular expenses

Other

☐  Wills, trusts, or powers of attorney

☐  Any existing separation agreement or postnuptial agreement

☐  Correspondence or documentation related to any pending legal disputes

This checklist is provided by Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC for general organizational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Your attorney will let you know which items are relevant to your specific case.

Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC  |  405-635-5578  |  [email protected]  |  www.hayeslegalsolutions.com405-635-5578