A divorce is a complex legal process that requires a lot of mental space and paperwork. Once you decide you’d like to file, your lawyer will need to fill out and submit some important divorce documents. Each of the important documents below will help the process move forward and protect your best interests in the future.

Required Divorce Documents Checklist

1. Dissolution-of-Marriage

This is the first document filed with the local county court where you are a resident. One spouse will do this; it’s the official request for a divorce which will begin the process. The petition will be served on the other spouse, which is often called “serving divorce papers.”

2. Financial Documents

Both parties will need to submit documents that clearly lay out all their finances, including income, assets, and debt. They will include bank papers on the accounts, tax returns, and papers on assets ranging from real estate to personal property such as jewelry. These disclosure forms are especially important in contested divorces, since the judge may use them to determine the settlement.

3. Childcare Documents

This is often called a parenting plan. This document outlines all your decisions regarding your children, such as visitation, custody, insurance expenses, and who will claim them as dependents on their taxes. It should include plans for the future—for example, who will spend which holidays with the children and how you’ll pay for expenses such as college.

4. Settlement Agreement

Once the two parties have agreed to the terms for the divorce, those terms are outlined in the settlement agreement. It can include all terms of the divorce, such as child custody and the division of assets.

The first and most important step in your divorce is to find an attorney who will represent your best interests. The legal team at Arnold & Stafford has more than 60 years’ combined experience serving clients throughout Georgia, Florida, California, Hawaii, and Iowa. This full-service law firm will represent you throughout your divorce, from protecting your parental rights to drawing up divorce documents. Learn more about the firm online or call (912) 369-4529 to schedule a free consultation at their office in Hinesville, GA.