Prior to starting the divorce mediation or litigation process, you should provide your Delaware attorney with as many relevant documents as you can find. The more information that you can provide to your legal representative, the easier it may be to obtain a favorable outcome in your case. Take a closer look at some of the specific paperwork that your attorney will likely ask for.
Obtain and submit real estate records
Your attorney will typically ask for mortgage statements, a recent tax assessment and any other documents related to the purchase of real estate owned jointly with a spouse. If the mortgage on a joint property has been refinanced, it is important to provide the paperwork generated during the refinance process. It is also a good idea to submit the same information about any homes or commercial properties that are titled in your name only.
Income data may feature prominently in a divorce case
Bank statements, pay stubs and other financial data can be used to establish your spouse’s net worth and earning potential. It can also be used to establish your own net worth and earning potential. This may be important when determining how assets should be divided or if you are entitled to alimony. If you or your spouse own a business, be sure to give your attorney a profit and loss statement from that company.
Don’t forget about investment and retirement accounts
Generally speaking, retirement and brokerage accounts can be divided in a divorce settlement. It may be possible to use statements from a 401(k) or IRA plan administrator to verify how much a retirement account is worth. A recent account statement from your broker can help to establish how much is in a taxable investment portfolio.
A family law attorney may be able to help prepare for divorce mediation or litigation proceedings. If you are seeking parental rights to your children, a legal representative may also help you prepare for a custody hearing.