What Financial Documents Do I Need to Gather Before I File for Divorce?~ 4 min read
- Gather one to three months of statements for every bank, investment, brokerage, and retirement account you have.
- Collect current pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, and complete copies of your tax returns for the last several years.
- Gather mortgage and debt statements for vehicles, credit cards, loans, and other financial obligations.
- Create a household budget that gives you a realistic picture of your monthly income and expenses.
- Save copies of financial records you have access to now if you are concerned you may not have access to them later.
Start Gathering Your Financial Records
Before you file for divorce, you may wonder how many financial documents you need to collect. The answer is quite a few, but you do not need to panic if you cannot find everything.
Start with one to three months of statements for every account you have. That includes checking, savings, investment, brokerage, retirement, and debt accounts.
Gather Income and Tax Records
You should also collect your current pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, and complete copies of your tax returns. If you have access to these records now but think that access may change after you tell your spouse about the divorce, make copies or scan the documents and save them somewhere secure. You should also gather mortgage statements and statements for every debt you have. Credit cards, loans, PayPal, Venmo, and other financial accounts may all provide information that becomes important during your divorce.
Create a Household Budget
If you do not already have a household budget, this is a good time to create one. Your budget does not need to account for every penny, but it should give you a reasonably accurate picture of your income and expenses. Knowing what you spend each month will give you useful information as you begin thinking about your financial future after divorce. Your attorney or financial professional will also use this information when discussing your options.
Do Not Let Missing Documents Stop You
One of the most important things to remember is that you do not need to find every document before you talk to an attorney. If you cannot access certain records, do not let that prevent you from moving forward.
Your attorney has ways to obtain financial information during the divorce process. The documents you gather simply give you a stronger starting point and allow you to see what is actually there.
Why the Exact Account Information Matters
Your financial documents are not just useful for understanding your finances. They also provide the exact information needed to identify and divide your property correctly.
For example, saying that you have a retirement account with Fidelity is not enough if you have several Fidelity accounts. The court documents and your final Judgment will need to identify the specific account, account type, and other identifying information so there is no confusion about which account is being divided.
Your Financial Records Support Your Settlement
The information from these documents will be used to create a complete picture of what you own and what you owe. That information may then be used to prepare financial statements, settlement proposals, or your marital settlement agreement.
How you organize and exchange financial information will depend on the process you choose. In litigation, you and your spouse will generally prepare separate financial statements and update them as required by the court. In an amicable process, you will work from shared financial information, and in the Collaborative Divorce process, you will work with a financial specialist to create a shared financial spreadsheet.
Contact Family Ally
Before filing for divorce, gathering your financial records will give you a clearer picture of your finances and prepare you for the decisions ahead. At Family Ally, we help you understand the financial information you need and how it will affect your divorce. Contact Jennifer Piper at 314-449-9800 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Family Ally is located at 130 S. Bemiston Ave., Suite 608, St. Louis, MO 63105.
FAQs
What if I cannot find some of my financial documents?
Do not let missing documents stop you from moving forward. Your attorney will have ways to obtain financial records during the divorce process.
How far back should I gather bank and investment statements?
Start with one to three months of statements for every bank, investment, brokerage, and retirement account you have.Your attorney may request additional records depending on your circumstances.
Why do I need the actual account statements?
Statements provide the exact information needed to identify your accounts correctly. This becomes especially important when property or retirement accounts need to be divided because the final Judgment or settlement documents must identify the specific account being divided.
Jennifer R. Piper is a family law attorney, mediator, and parenting coordinator with more than 20 years of experience serving families in the St. Louis area. She is certified as a Guardian ad Litem and frequently appointed by courts to represent children in high-conflict cases.
Jennifer is a former Chair of the Family and Juvenile Law Section of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and an active leader in local and state bar organizations.
Her professional recognition includes being named to The Best Lawyers in America® (2017–2025), Missouri Super Lawyers (2021–2024), and receiving a Women’s Justice Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly.
Jennifer also holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She regularly speaks on family law topics and has helped shape family court procedures through her service on multiple committees.
