How to Document Evidence in Your Divorce Case

Evidence is one of the most important factors in nearly every legal case, and Long Island divorce cases are no exception. What kind of supporting documentation you have can truly make or break your case. In instances of divorce, lacking the paperwork to back up your claims can cost you significantly, and for years to come, in more ways than one. 

Here’s what you need to know about getting documents ready for your divorce and how you can get the legal help you need during this process from a seasoned New York family lawyer.

Gather Everything, Even If You Don’t Think It’s Important

Before your divorce gets fully underway, it’s critical to gather as much evidence as possible. Don’t worry about what is or isn’t important; this is a decision your divorce lawyer will make when reviewing your documents. For example, you want to put together property titles, bank account statements, investment records, debt records, and any other paperwork regarding your ownership of property or liquid assets. 

Other documents to consider bringing to the table in your Long Island divorce are records of any domestic violence that may have occurred in the home, or any abuse you or your children may have suffered at the hands of your ex. 

If you suspect that your ex spouse may be attempting to lodge false allegations against you, gather as much documentation as you can that would refute their claims, such as character witness statements from people who know you, alibis for instances of alleged domestic violence, and other supporting evidence. 

You may think you don’t need all of this paperwork and the truth is, you likely won’t. However, it’s better to let your attorney sort through what is and isn’t going to help your case. 

Keep the Original Documents for your Divorce Case 

When preparing evidence to submit to your Long Island divorce lawyer prior to settlement negotiations or divorce litigation, make sure to give your attorney clean copies and keep the originals for yourself in a safe place to which only you have access.

Ideally, this will be someplace outside the home if you are still living with your ex-spouse while waiting for the divorce to be finalized and property to be awarded. Don’t leave them somewhere your ex can come across them accidentally. You can ask a family member or friend you trust to keep them for you, but they may be uncomfortable with “getting in the middle,” so to speak. A better place is a safe deposit box at a bank that is in your name and only you have a key to. 

Ask for Help with Your Divorce Papers

Putting together years’ worth of financial, property, and medical records prior to a divorce can be an extremely daunting task that gets progressively more so the longer you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse were wed. 

Few people are truly prepared for the sheer magnitude of documentation needed for a divorce case, even when the couple don’t have children together or own many assets. Of course, the more assets you share and the more involved children are in the case, the more challenging the matter becomes. 

Ask for help from people in various positions to gather and prepare records for you. For example, you can authorize your personal accountant to put together financial records from all the different places you have assets.

Or, you can request that your local hospital or doctor’s office collate your medical records if you were an abuse victim and need to show multiple instances of seeking medical attention for domestic violence both for you and/or your children.

Hire an Experienced Long Island Divorce Attorney to Help You Coordinate 

Dealing with the red tape of getting a divorce is often one of the things that deters people who want to move forward with their lives from taking that final step. A seasoned New York divorce attorney can help you manage the gathering of important documents and paperwork you’ll need during your case, so you can focus on things that matter most, like supporting your children when they have visitation with you. 

At Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C., we have the skills and expertise needed to assist you with the tedious but critical process of preparing documents for the dissolution of your marriage. Contact us today for more information about what documents you need to collect and why they’re important, or to schedule your initial consultation with one of our divorce lawyers. Call now at 631-923-1910 or fill out the short form on this page and we’ll get right back to you.