Divorce Preparation Checklist
July 9, 2026 · 1 min read
Gathering a few key things before you file makes the whole divorce smoother. Here's a practical checklist of what to pull together.
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A little preparation up front removes most of the friction from a divorce. Before you file, gather these essentials so you're not scrambling later.
Personal and marriage details
You'll need full legal names, your date and place of marriage, your date of separation, and current addresses. If you have children, have their names and birthdates ready.
A financial snapshot
Pull together a simple list of what you own and owe: bank and retirement accounts, vehicles, real estate, and debts like the mortgage, loans, and credit cards. You don't need everything to the penny, just a clear picture to divide fairly.
Your agreement, in rough form
The single most valuable thing you can prepare is a shared understanding with your spouse on how to split property and debts and handle any children. The more you've talked through, the faster and cheaper the divorce.
With those three things in hand, a guided questionnaire takes care of the rest, turning your information into the exact forms your court needs.
