Pre-Divorce Planning – Information Needed (First Interview)

It is important that you gather as much information prior to filing a divorce or other family law action.  Our experience has shown us that documents and other evidence can be more difficult to obtain after we file the divorce because the other party may have hidden or destroyed them.  We would recommend that you make copies of the following documents and return the originals to their location as soon as possible then store the copies in a safe place where the other party will not have access to them. 

The information that is going to be most relevant goes to the finances and income of both parties, so we can provide a proper analysis to you of your property and support rights. 

We would need the following information/documents related to both you and the other party:

Employment

• Pay stubs, W-2’s, correspondence from employers stating  benefits, compensation, bonuses;
• Resumes indicating job history; and
• Any employment contracts

Property

• Appraisals of real and personal property owned;
• Stock and Bond Certificates;
• Documents evidencing interests in trusts, wills or other estate planning documents;
• Title documents such as deeds on real property and pink slips on vehicles;
• Life insurance policies;
• Disability insurance plans; and
• Monthly statements from Brokerage accounts

Business Interests

• Financial Statements of business;
• Corporate books including but not limited to minutes, articles of incorporation and amendments to the same;
• Books of account including reports from software such as Quicken or QuickBooks; and
• Any and all agreements relating to partnerships, buy sell agreements and the like.

Finances

• Check registers;
• Bank statements on checking and savings accounts;
• Monthly statements on credit and charge cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express and the like;
• Safety Deposit Box agreements and inventories of safety deposit boxes; and
• Statements of Personal net worth.

Taxes

• Individual State and Federal Tax Returns including all the supporting W-2’s, 1099’s, and K-1’s. 
• All W-2’s, 1099’s, and K-1’s for any years not filed yet;
• Corporate Tax returns;
• Gift Tax Returns; and
• Any Partnership Returns.

Miscellaneous Documents

• Wills, Trusts and other estate planning documents;
• School Records and Reports for any children from the parties’ relationship;
• Copies of all Premarital and Post Marital Agreements between the parties; and
• Pleadings from any pending litigation involving either party

Since 1994, we have been helping men and women throughout Southern California plan effectively for separation and divorce.

To learn more about separation and how it may impact you, please contact Evan T. Sussman at evan@sussmanlawfirm.com or call us at 310.288.1990.