Once your divorce has finally closed and everything is finalized, it is natural to want to get rid of all the paperwork that reminds you of all the legal and emotional headaches you endured. However, it is important for you to hold onto many of these documents for future reference.
Below are some examples of paperwork you should keep in your files:
- Your final judgment: Also known as the divorce decree, this is the document that contains the final arrangements for all your divorce-related issues, including your child support agreement, custody and visitation, alimony and the division of your debts and assets. It clearly spells out how all ongoing and potentially forthcoming issues will be handled. You should keep at least one copy of the paperwork that has a court seal to certify its authenticity.
- Appraisals: During your divorce, you will likely have had appraisals done on several assets, especially with real estate, vehicles and collectibles. Even if this paperwork does not end up being necessary from a relationship standpoint, it is still useful information to have and keep track of in case you ever wish to sell off assets.
- Financial documents: The discovery phase could include a great deal of document exchange, including many different financial documents. Keep copies of all divorce-related financial paperwork for tax purposes and for your records. You should keep any information you have regarding the income of both you and your former spouse.
- Support payment records: Always keep records of the child support payments you make. Make copies of any checks or money orders used, and make notes of the dates you mailed and/or received those checks. Even if things are going smoothly related to child support, it’s always better to be overly organized just in case a worst-case scenario arises.
For more information and guidance on the documents you should keep after a divorce, contact a trusted Minnesota attorney at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.