Separation and Divorce Checklist

Parenting Plan

• Access to Information & People:  Educational and medical records; Teachers, doctors, etc.
• Medical Emergencies: Decision-making, notification, legal consent
• Daily Schedule: Children's living arrangements for a typical week
• Holidays:  Secular and religious holidays, birthdays, reunions
• Vacations:  Summer vacations, winter and spring breaks, travel
• Transportation:  Pick-up and drop-off arrangements
• Parental Change of Residence: Restrictions, notice to other parent
• Decision-Making (legal custody):  Major decisions about education, medical treatment, religion, discipline, safety
• Renegotiation:  Periodic review of plan, building in flexibility
• Conflict Resolution:  Structure for settling any future disputes
  
  

Division of Property

• Full Disclosure: Gathering and sharing of financial information and documentation concerning all assets and debts
• Procedure for Division:
         • Identification
         • Valuation
         • Marital vs. Non-Marital
         • Division
• Some Categories of Assets:
         • Household Furnishings
         • Vehicles
         • Other Personal Property
         • Bank Accounts
         • Accounts Receivable
         • Stocks, Bonds, Funds
         • Real Estate
         • Life Insurance
         • Business Interests
         • Pensions, IRA, 401(k), etc.
         • Patents, Stock Options, etc.
• Some Categories of Debts:
         • Mortgages
         • Bank Loans (e.g., car loans)
         • Loans on Life Insurance
         • Personal Loans
         • Credit Cards
  
  

Child Support & Alimony

• Budgeting:  Children's expenses and parents' expenses
• Income:  Identifying all sources
• Child Support:  Calculating basic support level, school tuition, extraordinary medical expenses, childcare expenses, camp fees
• Alimony:  Amount and duration
• Adjustments:  Cost of living, changed circumstances
  
  

Other Financial Issues

• Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• College Tuition & Expenses
• Taxes
         • Joint or Separate Returns?
         • Dependency Exemptions
         • Dividing Refunds & Liabilities
         • Alimony vs. Child Support