It’s no secret that most divorces require a lot of paperwork. That’s why it’s a good idea to know exactly what kinds of documents you’ll need to have on hand if you want to ensure that this process goes smoothly. A Peoria County contested divorce lawyer can help you prepare and make sure that you don’t skip any important steps.
Which Personal and Financial Documents Do I Need?
First, it’s important to gather up financial documents that would be relevant to your divorce and any personal documents that you might need. This can include:
- An ID issued by the government, like a driver’s license
- Your Social Security card
- Marriage certificate
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
- Statements from retirement or investment accounts
- Tax returns
- Paystubs
- Deeds to any property
- Titles for vehicles
- Life insurance policies
- Any signed prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
This gives you a clear picture of your assets and liabilities, and that’s important for the next steps. These documents can help you determine who owns what, what kinds of property and assets are marital property, and how debts should be divided up.
Which Documents Need to Be Filed With the Court?
In addition to those financial documents, you’ll also need a lot of paperwork to file with the court. This can include:
- The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- The summons petition for your spouse
- A financial affidavit
- Statement of your assets and liabilities
- A parenting plan, if you have any children
Now, everyone’s situation is different, so you might require additional paperwork to move forward. You also might qualify for a simplified dissolution of marriage which, as its name implies, can make this process go a little faster. A lawyer can tell you more and make sure that you have everything you need for your specific situation.
Do I Actually Need a Lawyer?
Having a lawyer is not a requirement when you file for divorce. However, as we have already pointed out, this process asks for a lot from you. A lawyer can make sure that all of the necessary documents have been gathered and that your paperwork is ready to be submitted. If you want to be sure that this is done right the first time and that you don’t have to worry about extra stress being added to the process, hiring a divorce lawyer is the way to go.
Contact Our Firm
If you want to learn more about the divorce process and what you’ll need to do before you file, contact Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. Our experienced attorneys can answer your questions and do everything possible to assist you in this difficult time. Schedule your consultation today.
