How to Organize Your Documents During a North Carolina Divorce

Organization is key when it comes to a North Carolina divorce. Although this might seem like a minor priority, organizing your documents can make life much easier. Some divorces may drag on for years, and a few simple steps can make this process less stressful. An obvious first step is to book a consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer in North Carolina. Our legal professionals can help you figure out which documents you need, and we can provide tips on how to organize them.

The first step is to determine which documents you actually need. Required documents may vary depending on the unique circumstances of each spouse. For example, a spouse with real estate might need to gather mortgage documents. On the other hand, some spouses may not own property. Some might invest heavily in the stock market, and they may need documents from their brokerage accounts. Others may prefer less complex investments, such as high-interest savings accounts.

A consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer in North Carolina can help you determine which specific documents apply to your case. Try to bring as many documents with you to this first meeting. You should also strive to gain a general understanding of the marital assets in your divorce before meeting with your lawyer. If you are not sure about what kinds of investments your ex has, try to make an educated guess. Your lawyer can follow up and investigate your marital estate in more detail.

A positive first step is to categorize your documents if at all possible. Consider creating separate binders for each category:

• Income Documents: These include things like pay stubs, tax returns, invoices, cash ledgers, credit scores, and anything else you think might be related to income. Generally speaking, you should gather tax returns for the past three years. However, the more tax returns you can gather, the better. If a family business is involved, you might also need to collect documentation of business expenses.
• Real Estate: You might dedicate another binder to real estate. Documents within this category might include mortgage statements, purchase documents, titles, deeds, and price assessments. Even if you have completely paid off a home, mortgage statements are still useful when going through a divorce.
• Personal Financial Documents: Try to collect as much documentation of personal finances as possible. Examples of these documents include banking statements, savings certificates, and life insurance policies.
• Debt Documentation: Dedicate another binder to debt. Collect credit card statements, loan documents, evidence of medical bills, student loans, and so on.
• Retirement Documentation: Retirement accounts and retirement products may prove crucial for seniors going through divorce. Collect as much information about these assets as possible. Examples include pension funds, 401(k)s, and any other estate planning strategies.
• Documentation of Miscellaneous Assets: Finally, you might create another binder specifically for miscellaneous assets. Prioritize high-value assets, such as vehicles, boats, and perhaps livestock. Even if you’re not sure whether an asset is expensive, it is best to collect as much documentation as possible. For example, a baseball card collection could be worth much more than you realize.

When it comes to organizing your documents, an important step is to make copies. You should save your copies digitally and create physical copies. Consider thumb drives, scanners, printers, photocopiers, and any other office equipment that you think might be useful. Saving documents in the cloud may also be helpful. Some of these documents may be crucial, and losing them may cause negative outcomes.

One of the most important steps is to send digital copies of these documents to your family law attorney in North Carolina. Once your lawyer receives these documents, they can make copies of their own – providing you with additional layers of contingency.

Gathering documents is only the first step. Many new documents will be created as you proceed with your divorce. You might need to request additional documents from your ex. Your lawyer may record statements, request written testimony, and take various other steps. Always ensure that communication is conducted in writing. You can refer back to emails to determine what certain parties have said. On the other hand, there is no way to refer back to oral conversations.

If you have been searching for an experienced divorce lawyer in North Carolina, look no further than Arnold & Smith, PLLC. While organizing your documents is important, you will need to take many other steps as you approach divorce. To learn more about these next steps, feel free to book a consultation with us at your earliest convenience. During this initial meeting, we may be able to help you determine which document you need to gather. Reach out today to get started.