Documentation and record-keeping is an unexpected part of the divorce process. Your ability to keep up with paperwork and document your experiences properly is critical to your case. Being organized and capable of producing documents and evidence expeditiously will help your lawyer better defend your position.

There are many documents you will want to track down before you separate. Then, once you do separate, there are many things you will want to document as a strategy to ensure the highest outcome in your situation. There are different rules depending on where you are and one of my goals is to help you ask better questions when you are speaking with your lawyer.

Not taking documentation seriously can lead to the other professionals working with you not taking you and your case seriously either.

What you do now determines what your options are later.

You don’t want to be separated, without access to critical documents and having to invest hundreds of dollars (or more) in legal fees just to force your ex to provide you access to your accounts and paperwork.

You also don’t want to be preparing for a hearing or mediation and spend hours trying to track down a screenshot, email or other proof that could be critical to your case.

Everything you learn and do now will help you later.