If you live in Florida and have decided to get a divorce, there’s something you should do before doing anything else: gather important paperwork. Nothing can slow down or complicate the process like waiting until much later. For example, gather your documents before telling your spouse about getting a divorce. Otherwise, he or she could end up with most of them, which will put you at a distinct disadvantage. Your divorce attorney will be able to request copies from your spouse’s lawyer, but that will cost extra time and money.
What Do I Need to Get a Divorce in Florida?
Financial Paperwork
Throughout your marriage, you and your spouse probably left a big paper trail of financial documents. Before getting a divorce, gather these things:
- Statements from brokerage accounts
- Bank statements
- State and federal tax returns for you and your spouse
- Homeowner’s, health, car and life insurance policies
- Retirement account statements
- Pay stubs, W-2 forms and 1099 forms for you and your spouse
- Property leases
- Credit card statements and loan documents, including paperwork related to mortgages and car loans
- Paperwork related to your household budget
Personal Documents
Compile all of these documents before getting a divorce:
- Your marriage license
- Birth certificates for you, your spouse and your children
- Employment contracts
- Passports of children
- Divorce records related to prior marriages
- Divorce- and marriage-related contracts between you and your spouse, including prenuptial agreements, separation agreements and ante nuptial agreements.
- Social security cards for you, your spouse and your children
Business Documents
If you or your spouse own a business, gather documents relating to that business prior to getting a divorce. Examples include:
- Partnership agreements
- Business tax returns from the local, state and federal level
- Business balance sheets
- Business insurance policies
- Business contracts
- Profit and loss statements
- Minute books and corporate records
- Shareholder agreements
- Credit card statements and records related to the business
Documents Concerning Assets that You Own
If you’re wondering, “What do I need to get a divorce in Florida?” you should know that you will also need to gather documents that relate to assets that are owned by you and your spouse. They may include:
- An itemized breakdown of items stored in safe deposit boxes
- Documents related to land that you and your spouse own separately or jointly
- Loan statements or titles for boats and motor vehicles that are owned separately or jointly
- An itemized breakdown of valuable items that are owned separately or jointly
Getting a divorce is a difficult enough process with all the emotions behind it. By having all of this paperwork in order, you will lay the groundwork for a smoother and less stressful divorce in Florida.