Most divorces involve several professionals: one or two attorneys, maybe a mediator, a financial advisor or CDFA®, and a divorce coach. Each of them depends on information only you can provide. The faster and more completely you share it, the faster they can help you, and the less you'll pay for follow-up.
Here's what your team needs from you.
About you and your goals
1. Your priorities, in writing. What matters most: the children's schedule, staying in the house, financial security, a quick resolution? Writing it down helps your team advocate for what you actually want.
2. A timeline of key dates. When you married, separated, moved, changed jobs or received an inheritance. Dates affect how property is characterized and divided.
3. Any urgent concerns. If you have concerns about safety, money disappearing or the children, tell your attorney right away. Don't wait for a scheduled meeting.
About your finances
4. A list of every account you know of. Bank, retirement, investment, credit and loan accounts, even ones you think are small or closed.
5. Your financial documents. Tax returns, pay stubs and statements. Our document checklist covers the full list.
6. A realistic monthly budget. What you spend now, and what you expect to spend after the divorce.
7. Proof of anything you consider separate property. Premarital accounts, inheritances and gifts usually need documentation to be treated as separate.
About your family
8. Your children's current schedule and needs. School, activities, health needs and who handles what day to day.
As the case moves forward
9. Changes as they happen. A new job, a raise, a move or a large expense can change the numbers. Tell your team promptly.
10. Timely responses. Delays in returning documents or answering questions slow everything down and cost more in follow-up.
11. Full honesty. Share the uncomfortable facts too. Your team can plan for what they know about; surprises found later are much harder to manage.
12. Your questions, written down. Keep a running list and bring it to each meeting so nothing gets forgotten.
Checklist
- Written priorities
- Timeline of key dates
- Urgent concerns shared with my attorney
- List of every account
- Financial documents uploaded
- Monthly budget, current and expected
- Proof of separate property
- Children's schedule and needs
- A plan to report changes promptly
- Responses sent on time
- Full, honest disclosure
- Running list of questions
Share once, with everyone who needs it
With VennBoard, you upload documents once to a secure workspace with your own login, and you control which professionals see them. Your whole team works from the same information.
Already working with a professional? Invite them to VennBoard
This article is general information, not legal advice.