Divorce Checklist

Divorce can feel overwhelming. This checklist covers the key topics that are usually discussed when preparing divorce paperwork.

Not every item will apply to everyone. Every family is different. If something important is not listed, make a note to discuss it during your consultation.

Working with an experienced divorce mediator can help you resolve issues faster, calmly, and in private. To print this checklist, use your browser’s print option.

Planning for Divorce

• Schedule a free consultation to understand your options
• Learn about divorce using trusted resources
• Think about future living arrangements
• Consider renting a post office box for personal mail
• Create a folder for important divorce documents
• Set up your own email account if you share one
• Update friends and family with new contact details
• Change passwords for personal and social media accounts

Parenting and Schedules

• How to tell children about living separately
• Children’s rights during divorce
• Daily parenting schedules
• Timeline for living separately
• Holiday schedules
• Vacation planning
• Care plans when a parent is unavailable
• Care for sick children
• Emergency and hospital plans
• Choosing childcare providers
• Selecting schools
• Transportation arrangements
• Introducing children to new partners

Legal Custody of Children

• Joint, shared, or sole custody
• Primary residential parent designation
• Decision-making responsibilities
• Birth certificates, passports, and legal documents
• Travel permissions
• Access outside scheduled parenting time
• Religious education decisions
• Plans if a parent passes away
• Relocation rules
• Substance abuse concerns
• Child surnames and parent titles
• Pet custody and expenses

Child Support

• How child support is calculated
• State child support guidelines
• Each parent’s income percentage
• When payments begin
• How payments are made
• Income documentation
• Self-employed vs. salaried income
• Childcare and medical costs
• Uninsured medical expenses
• Extracurricular and special event costs
• Private school expenses
• College expenses
• When support can be reviewed or changed

The Family Home

• Calculating home equity
• Dividing equity fairly
• Mortgage and title changes
• Homeowner’s insurance
• Selling or keeping the home
• Refinancing options
• Paying costs while the home is for sale
• Sole occupancy decisions
• When to live separately
• What happens if a spouse passes away

Other Assets

• Full documentation of assets
• Retirement accounts and investments
• Pension division and value
• Vehicles and recreational items
• Household items
• Separate and shared property
• Valuation dates
• College savings plans
• Business value
• Digital assets and online content

Debts

• Credit cards
• Student loans
• Retirement loans
• Auto loans
• Bankruptcy considerations
• Impact on credit
• Shared vs. individual responsibility

Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)

• Temporary vs. long-term support
• Amount and length of support
• State guidelines
• Tax impact
• When support can end or change

Other Important Topics

• Changing your last name
• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance beneficiaries
• Tax filing status and credits
• Future tax audits
• Updating wills and legal documents
• Religious annulment
• Updating and enforcing agreements
• Social Security benefits
• Shared online accounts for children

Mediation and Divorce Process

• Legal separation vs. no-fault divorce
• Fault-based divorce options
• Legal paperwork roles
• Turning agreements into court orders
• Attorney review
• Paying for mediation and divorce

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