Every family law case is unique, therefore, it is important that you provide your family law attorney with as much information as possible about your situation. Prior to meeting with your family law attorney, begin gathering documents to give to your attorney, outlining your family’s financial situation. Below is a list of information that your family law attorney will need from you. Be sure to provide information not only for yourself, but for the other party if possible. In the event you don’t have access to certain documents, but know an account, asset or liability exists, be sure to let your attorney know. It is also helpful to make a list of all of the documents you have gathered to present to your attorney at the meeting, to use as a quick reference of your family’s financial situation.

Financial Information (including account names, numbers, balances and current statements)

  • Individual income tax returns for the past three to five years (state and federal)
  • Business income tax returns for the past three to five years (state and federal)
  • Recent income stub
  • Bank statements
  • Statements from trusts, stocks, bonds or US Treasury notes
  • List of safety deposit box contents
  • Investment accounts (annuities, mutual funds)

Retirement Savings Information (including balances, beneficiaries, outstanding loans and current statements)

  • 401(k)s
  • 403(b)s
  • IRAs
  • Life insurance policies (including cash value)
  • Social Security statement
  • Pension statement

Property Information (including property description, address, ownership interest, market value, outstanding mortgage and loan balances, source of mortgage and loan payments and most recent tax assessment)

  • Primary residence
  • Rental properties (including any rental income)
  • Vacation homes
  • Business property
  • Personal property of value (antiques, collectibles, automobiles, jewelry, art, computers, electronics, clothing,furs, etc.)
  • Inheritance (current or anticipated)
  • Interests in trust (current or future)
  • List of property owned by each spouse prior to marriage
  • Automobile(s), boat(s) or other recreational vehicle(s)

Bills and Outstanding Debt (including balances, statements, source of payments/funds)

  • Credit card statements
  • Loan documents
  • Utility bill
  • Other bills (school tuition, medical bills, etc.)
  • Monthly budget worksheet

Legal Agreements

  • Wills
  • Living wills
  • Powers of attorney
  • Durable powers of attorney
  • Advance directives (also termed power of attorney for healthcare, healthcare proxy)
  • Prenuptial agreements (also termed premarital agreement, antenuptial agreement)
  • Divorce decrees or child support from a previous marriage

Non-financial Contributions

  • Contributions of a homemaker
  • Contributions made by one spouse to further the educational and/or career goals of the other spouse

Finally, you will also want to start thinking about other issues that may or may not be applicable to your situation.

These are matters about which you should speak with your attorney and may include:

  • Child support
  • Child custody (legal, physical)
  • Timesharing/Visitation
  • Residence in the marital homestead
  • Beneficiaries of insurance policies and other benefits
  • Spousal support / alimony
  • Domestic violence issues (including child abuse)
  • Post-divorce non-financial support
  • Attorney’s fees and expenses

If you have any questions about your legal rights or any issue related to a Tampa divorce contact the Bowes Law Group by clicking here or call us at (813) 421-4422 to schedule a consultation.