The Ultimate Divorce Checklist Checklist Oct 8 Written By Corey M. Shapiro Divorce isn’t one-size-fits-all. This checklist outlines potential issues, not what you’re expected to address. Most people only need a few pieces. Use this as a guide, not a to-do list. Take what fits. Leave the rest. Download as a PDF Divorce Checklist Planning What Type of Professionals May I Need? Couples counseling Individual therapy Financial advisor Divorce coach Children's specialist Parenting coordinator Mediator Real estate appraiser Business valuation expert What Legal Process Will Be Involved in My Divorce? Process choice Negotiated agreement Mediation Collaborative divorce Arbitration Court Budgeting What is my budget (time, energy, emotion, money) What is my monthly burn rate Support Spousal Support Determine spousal maintenance amount and duration Determine if a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement waives spousal support Child Support Determine child support (typically until 21 or later if child is under a disability) Add-on Expenses Calculate pro-rata obligations for: Activities Unreimbursed medical expenses Education expenses 529 accounts for your children's education Private or Public education Life Insurance to cover future obligations Parenting Parenting Plan Develop a parenting plan that addresses: School evenings, weeknights, and weekends Three-day weekends School recesses (winter and spring) Summer vacations Holiday celebrations Birthdays of parents/children Mother's/Father's Day Cell phone/e-mail/texting access to the children Transportation between households Travel away from home with the children Etiquette (rules) for visits, cancellations Changes to the schedule at future times Decision Making Determine if parents must agree, consult, or if one parent can take sole authority for decisions on: Education Extracurricular activities Non-emergency or elective medical care Religious upbringing Childcare providers Sharing Information Ways of exchanging information about the children How to access documents from schools, activities, doctors, dentists, therapists, and other third parties Use of parenting apps Additional Considerations Relocation: Establish rules or adjustments for changes to the children's residence Parentage: Judgment of parentage to affirm the parental rights of non-biological parents Guardianship: Designate a guardian for the children in case both parents pass away Significant Others: Connections with grandparents and other relatives Introducing new partners to the children Assets and Liabilities Division Pre or Postnuptial Agreements Determine whether pre or postnuptial agreements exist Marital Balance Sheet Make a marital estate statement; compile a list of assets and liabilities Asset Valuation Determine whether there are any assets to value: Business(es) Stock options, restricted stock units, and other hard-to-value investments Personal property Consider the earning capacity of each spouse to identify the necessity of spousal maintenance or child support Separate Property Identify any separate property: Pre-marital property Gifts Inheritances Property covered by an agreement that defines it as separate property Gather proof of separate property Debts Identify all debts: Mortgages Credit Cards Student Loans Tax Implications Determine any tax implications of the divorce and asset division Attorney and Expert Fees Determine who will cover litigation expenses Determine if you need your own expert or if you can agree on a neutral expert Corey M. Shapiro www.coreyshapiro.com
The Ultimate Divorce Checklist Checklist Oct 8 Written By Corey M. Shapiro Divorce isn’t one-size-fits-all. This checklist outlines potential issues, not what you’re expected to address. Most people only need a few pieces. Use this as a guide, not a to-do list. Take what fits. Leave the rest. Download as a PDF Divorce Checklist Planning What Type of Professionals May I Need? Couples counseling Individual therapy Financial advisor Divorce coach Children's specialist Parenting coordinator Mediator Real estate appraiser Business valuation expert What Legal Process Will Be Involved in My Divorce? Process choice Negotiated agreement Mediation Collaborative divorce Arbitration Court Budgeting What is my budget (time, energy, emotion, money) What is my monthly burn rate Support Spousal Support Determine spousal maintenance amount and duration Determine if a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement waives spousal support Child Support Determine child support (typically until 21 or later if child is under a disability) Add-on Expenses Calculate pro-rata obligations for: Activities Unreimbursed medical expenses Education expenses 529 accounts for your children's education Private or Public education Life Insurance to cover future obligations Parenting Parenting Plan Develop a parenting plan that addresses: School evenings, weeknights, and weekends Three-day weekends School recesses (winter and spring) Summer vacations Holiday celebrations Birthdays of parents/children Mother's/Father's Day Cell phone/e-mail/texting access to the children Transportation between households Travel away from home with the children Etiquette (rules) for visits, cancellations Changes to the schedule at future times Decision Making Determine if parents must agree, consult, or if one parent can take sole authority for decisions on: Education Extracurricular activities Non-emergency or elective medical care Religious upbringing Childcare providers Sharing Information Ways of exchanging information about the children How to access documents from schools, activities, doctors, dentists, therapists, and other third parties Use of parenting apps Additional Considerations Relocation: Establish rules or adjustments for changes to the children's residence Parentage: Judgment of parentage to affirm the parental rights of non-biological parents Guardianship: Designate a guardian for the children in case both parents pass away Significant Others: Connections with grandparents and other relatives Introducing new partners to the children Assets and Liabilities Division Pre or Postnuptial Agreements Determine whether pre or postnuptial agreements exist Marital Balance Sheet Make a marital estate statement; compile a list of assets and liabilities Asset Valuation Determine whether there are any assets to value: Business(es) Stock options, restricted stock units, and other hard-to-value investments Personal property Consider the earning capacity of each spouse to identify the necessity of spousal maintenance or child support Separate Property Identify any separate property: Pre-marital property Gifts Inheritances Property covered by an agreement that defines it as separate property Gather proof of separate property Debts Identify all debts: Mortgages Credit Cards Student Loans Tax Implications Determine any tax implications of the divorce and asset division Attorney and Expert Fees Determine who will cover litigation expenses Determine if you need your own expert or if you can agree on a neutral expert Corey M. Shapiro www.coreyshapiro.com
