KeepMyProof
Divorce prep
Divorce document checklist
Before a divorce, gather copies of what you already have: bank, retirement and debt statements; pay stubs and tax returns; household bills; home, car and property papers; any agreements or court papers; messages sent to you; and a dated co-parenting log. Keep only what you are allowed to have, and ask your lawyer what to bring.
Educational only. Not legal advice.
Download the free printable checklist (PDF)
One page, no email needed.
- Bank, retirement and debt statements
- Pay stubs and tax returns
- Household bills and expenses
- Home, car and property papers
- Agreements and court papers you have
- Messages sent to you
- Co-parenting log: dated handoff and visit notes
Divorce rules by state
- How child support works
- Child custody and parenting plans
- How to get a copy of your divorce record
- Protective orders for domestic violence
- Divorce residency rules and where to file
How to keep these papers
Keep dated copies of the papers you already have in one place, and write the day something happened on the same day. KeepMyProof is a private phone app for that: folders with checklists, the day it happened next to the day you saved it, and one PDF of a folder when someone asks.
Coming soon to Google Play.
Questions
Which documents should I gather before a divorce?
Most people start with the last few years of bank, retirement and credit card statements, pay stubs and tax returns, household bills, deeds, titles and loan papers, and any agreements or court papers they already have. Your lawyer or your state court's self-help site can tell you what your court asks for.
How do I keep a co-parenting log?
Write each entry on the day it happens: the date, the time, what was planned, what happened and any message about it. Keep entries short and factual. KeepMyProof records the date you saved each note next to the date you say it happened.
Does divorce change my taxes?
Your filing status depends on whether you are married on the last day of the year. The IRS explains filing status, alimony and dependants for separated and divorced people in Publication 504. IRS Publication 504
Can I save my spouse's messages or accounts?
Keep the messages that were sent to you. Do not log in to your spouse's phone, email or accounts. Ask a lawyer before you copy anything that is not yours.
Educational only. Not legal advice.