7 Financial Documents You Will Need

Here are seven categories of financial documents that you will need. Start gathering copies of these documents now. You should gather the past 3 years worth unless otherwise noted.

1. Tax Returns Federal and state income tax returns. Use IRS forms W-2, 1099 and/or K-1 for the past year if the income tax return for that year has not been prepared.

2. Pay Stubs Pay stubs or other evidence of income for the past three months.

3. Deeds & Titles The deeds for all real property and titles for vehicles.

4. Bank Accounts Statements from the last 3 months for all checking accounts and from the last 12 months for all other accounts (for example, savings accounts, money market funds, certificates of deposit, etc.).

5. Stock Accounts All brokerage account statements for past 12 months.

6. Retirement Accounts The most recent statement for any profit sharing, retirement, deferred compensation, or pension plan (for example, IRA, 401(k), 403(b), SEP, KEOGH, or other similar account).

7. Insurance Policies The declarations page and the last periodic statement for all life insurance policies and all current health and dental insurance cards covering the couple or their children.

Gathering these documents will not only help you with the required Financial Affidavit, but will serve as a starting point for dividing your property and debt.