What Couples in Suffolk County, Nassau County, NYC, Queens & Brooklyn Need to Know
Preparing for a divorce is overwhelming — legally, financially, and emotionally. Having the right documents ready can save you time, money, and significant stress, especially when divorcing in high-cost, high-documentation regions like Suffolk County, Nassau County, New York City, Queens, and Brooklyn.
This checklist is not exhaustive, but it covers the most critical documents your attorney will need to protect your rights and build a strong case.
1. Pay Stubs & Three Years of Tax Returns
These documents help your attorney verify:
True earnings
Additional off-the-books income
Deductions
Potential child support and spousal support calculations
Business write-offs and undisclosed assets
Your tax returns often reveal more than you think — including business interests or assets your spouse may not have disclosed.
2. Mortgage Statements, Deed & Property Tax Bills
These records show:
Who legally owns the home
Who is on the mortgage
How much equity exists
Whether there are liens or second mortgages
This information determines whether you can refinance, stay in the home, or if selling is the most strategic option.
3. Bank Statements (6–12 Months)
Gather statements for all joint and individual bank accounts. These reveal:
Where money is going
Who pays which bills
Unusual activity such as large withdrawals or sudden transfers
Patterns like these can impact both support and property division.
4. Full Credit Card Statements
Not just balances, full statements. They help identify:
Purchasing patterns and recurring charges
Cash withdrawals or transfers
Secretly accumulated debt
Additional or unauthorized users on accounts
Lifestyle analysis is a major part of New York divorce cases.
5. Retirement Accounts
Collect documentation for:
401(k), IRA, pension, deferred comp
Account names, numbers, and institutions
Current balances
Loans or withdrawals taken against the accounts
Retirement assets are marital property, even if only one spouse contributed.
6. Car Loans, Lease Agreements & Insurance Policies
These documents show:
Vehicle ownership
Outstanding balances or obligations
Insurance responsibility
Who has been paying for what
Cars count as both assets and liabilities in NY divorces.
7. Digital Subscriptions & Auto-Pay Accounts
Often overlooked, but extremely important:
iCloud, phone plans, Amazon
Streaming services
Kids apps & subscriptions
Shared storage
Domain renewals
Digital accounts reflect both spending and shared access issues.
8. All Loan Documentation
Include:
Student loans
Personal loans
Mortgage or home equity loan statements
Closing documents and refinance paperwork
Debt division is a major part of divorce — don’t skip this step.
9. Insurance Policies
Provide copies of:
Health
Dental
Vision
Life insurance
Courts often require life insurance to secure child support or spousal support obligations. Knowing coverage details early is crucial.
10. Easily Overlooked but Valuable Assets
These can be worth tens, even hundreds of thousands and are all considered marital property:
529 college savings plans
Frequent flyer miles
Credit card reward points
High-end tools and collectibles
Crypto wallets
Luxury handbags and jewelry
Gaming systems
Small items add up quickly — and they matter in equitable distribution.
Get the Right Representation for Your Divorce
The Meyers Law Group, P.C. handles all Divorce and Family Law matters throughout Suffolk County, Nassau County, NYC, Queens, and Brooklyn. The right representation is just a call or click away.
(631) 496-1484
www.bestnewyorkdivorce.com
Serving: Suffolk • Nassau • NYC • Queens • Brooklyn