Divorce Checklist
The following items are issues that often arise in divorces. Some may not
apply to your situation. My purpose in presenting this list is to get
clients to brainstorm issues and areas of concern that will need to be
addressed in the dissolution.
- Custodial arrangements for the children
- Visitation/parenting time
- Child support
- Medical, dental, hospital, pharmaceutical, and psychological expenses for
the children
- COBRA or medical insurance for a former spouse for up to 3 years from the
entry of the divorce judgment where applicable
- Income tax exemptions regarding the children -- who will claim them
- Alimony/spousal support
- Property division
- Division of real estate, transfers, and deeds
- Making sure that all investments are covered including limited
partnerships, stocks, bonds, and savings
- The handling of debts
- Pensions, IRA accounts, 401K transfers, Qualified Domestic Relations
Orders
- Personal property including furniture, furnishings, art, and
collectibles
- Motor vehicles, including trailers and boats
- Income taxes whether there can be joint filings and liabilities for
payment of taxes
- Bankruptcy issues, protection in case one spouse does go bankrupt
- Proper security and protection regarding property division
- Clauses to hold the other spouse harmless and indemnification in case
someone fails to live up to his or her obligations
- How to handle the discovery of hidden assets
- Spouse abuse and restraining orders
- Restoration of a prior maiden name
- Life insurance policies as protection for child support payments,
alimony/spousal support payments, and/or property payments in the event of
death
- Attorney fees and/or mediator, accountant, and other expert fees and
payment of same
- College education for children and/or spouse
- Provisions for review in certain circumstances such as with regard to
child support and/or spousal support.
- Clauses such as payment for summer camps and/or religious training
and/or upbringing or other special situations involving children