Divorce Checklist: What to Do Before, During & After Separation

 1. Emotional & Mental Preparation

☐ Talk to a therapist or counsellor

☐ Confide in a trusted friend or support network

☐ Prepare for potential changes in routine, housing, finances, and parenting

 2. Gather Important Documents

☐ Marriage certificate

☐ Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement

☐ Birth certificates of children

☐ Tax returns (last 3 years)

☐ Pay stubs or income records (both spouses)

☐ Bank account statements

☐ Credit card statements

☐ Mortgage and property documents

☐ Superannuation info (pensions)

☐ Investment & brokerage account records

☐ Insurance policies (health, life, auto, home)

☐ Loan documents (car, student, personal)

 3. Legal Preparation

☐ Research family lawyers in your area

☐ Schedule consultations

☐ Choose a lawyer you are comfortable with

☐ Discuss legal strategy: amicable vs. contested

☐ Understand child custody and visitation laws in your state

☐ Explore spousal support and child support guidelines

 4. Financial Planning

☐ Create a personal budget

☐ Plan for new housing or living arrangements

☐ Document valuable household items (furniture, electronics, jewellery)

 5. Children & Parenting

☐ Create a proposed parenting plan

☐ Keep records of time spent with children

☐ Plan how to tell your children about the divorce

☐ Consider family or child counselling

☐ Plan for school, health care, and extracurricular responsibilities

 6. Life Admin & Post-Divorce Tasks

☐ Update your will and estate plan

☐ Change your name (if applicable)

☐ Notify your employer and HR department

☐ Update your address with banks, etc.

☐ Reassess your budget for life after divorce

☐ Keep all divorce documents organized and backed up

Tip:

Keep a divorce binder or digital folder with all paperwork, notes, and contact info. Staying organized reduces stress and helps your lawyer build a stronger case.

If you would like to discuss this further, call us on (03) 9070 1199.