Preparing for a divorce
If you are considering filing a divorce there are several steps you need to take in preparation for the separation or filing the dissolution petition.
Documents: Copy all important documents such as tax returns, bank statements, retirement statements, investment account statements, employment benefit statement and take to a safe place outside the home. If you cannot copy the statements write down all account numbers and balances of each such account.
Copy all credit card and other obligation statements such as outstanding mortgage, taxes, lines of credit, personal loans, etc, again, keeping the information in a safe place outside your home.
Bank Accounts: Open your own checking and savings accounts at a different bank. If you think your spouse will "wipe out" the accounts remove one-half of the funds and place them in your account. Be sure to leave sufficient funds in any account to cover outstanding checks. Also, notify your spouse that you have removed the funds to avoid problems. If possible, try to save enough money to meet your necessary expenses for at least two months.
Personal Property: Inventory household furniture, furnishings and other items. If possible, take photographs of each room and of the condition of the items.
Take all personal items (jewelry, photographs, memento's, etc) to a safe location outside the residence, such as a relative's home or a friend's home or obtain a safety deposit box.
If you are the one who is leaving the residence, take all personal property and documetns with you. Take anything that you cannot live without. Many times what you leave with is all you will end up with. However, do not become confrontational over items. It is not worth the possibility of getting hurt or going to jail.
Journal or Calendar: If you have already separated and there are children involved, keep a calendar or journal of events and track the time your spouse spends with the children. Be specific and make notations regarding the child sharing such as "called to see kids but did not show up", or , "cancelled scheduled visit", or, "picked kids up at 6pm" "returned kids at 10am".
Support: Be sure to assist in supporting your children, even without a court oder. If you provide cash, get a written receipt.
If you pay obligations after your separation, keep track of what you have paid and keep receipts.