Once the divorce process is under way, your lawyer will need ready access to all relevant financial documents. Start by locating and gathering together the following records pertaining to both you and your spouse:

• Social Security numbers
• Income tax returns for the past three years
• Retirement savings plans statements for the past three years
• Bank account statements
• Insurance policies (life; automobile; house; other)
• Stock certificates
• Credit card bills
• Employment payment stubs
• Brokerage statements
• Pension statements
• Health insurance and work-related benefits
• Real estate records
• Receipts and monthly statements documenting household expenses and everyday expenses (groceries, gas, heat, water, personal grooming, transportation, gifts, clothing, laundry and cleaning supplies, entertainment, miscellaneous expenses, and so forth)
• List of all assets and liabilities
• Date of separation (the date of separation is the date used to determine the value of particular assets – the matrimonial home, bank statements, investments, and so forth)

To speak with a Pittsburgh family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.