A lot can get lost in the shuffle during your divorce, and it’s always a headache when your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer asks for some sort of documentation and you can’t find it. A little organization right off the bat goes a long way; keeping things straight will save you hours of frustration later (and it’ll help your lawyer fight for what’s right during your proceedings).
Keep it Together
No matter what stage of divorce you’re currently in, it’s never too late to get organized. It’s easy to let bills and financial statements, kids’ medical and school records, and paperwork from your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer get scattered everywhere. After all, you’re going through one of the most stressful times of your life.
If you’re struggling to find things your attorney asks for, or if you just know there’s something important somewhere and you’re missing it, gather every document that could possibly pertain to your divorce and put them on the kitchen table.
You’re probably staring at a pretty big pile. You don’t have to organize everything at once, but you do need to have it all accessible in case you or your lawyer needs something. The same principle applies if all your files are digital. Put everything into one file on your computer, tablet or wherever else you usually save things and label it “Divorce.” You can go in and edit file names, scan in hard copies of your documents, and organize with sub folders after you’ve compiled all your files.
Manila Folders, Envelopes or Magazine Racks: Whatever it Takes
Once you do start to organize your paperwork, start with three or four basic files:
• Finances
• Kids (if applicable)
• From Chapel Hill Divorce Lawyer
• To Chapel Hill Divorce Lawyer
Keep these documents in file folders, envelopes or standing magazine racks. The important part is that your system is easy to access and works for you.
Use broad categories so you’re not overloaded with files (that’ll make it difficult to find what you need). Mortgage documents, bank statements, credit card bills and everything else that’s related to money should go into your “Finances” folder. Everything pertaining to kids, like Social Security numbers and birth certificates, belongs in the “Kids” file.
You’ll need two separate folders for documents that your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer has given you and documents that you’ll need to hand over. That way, if your attorney requests some paperwork, you can move it over to the “To” folder and it’s ready to go the next time you meet.
Extra Tips and Hints
Keep all your files together to minimize the chances of something going missing. Murphy’s law tells us that as soon as you need it, it disappears – especially during a critical time like divorce.
Store your files away from kids for two reasons: one, they shouldn’t be involved in the divorce; and two, the last thing you need is all your important paperwork to end up in the dishwasher, to be turned into coloring pages or to be hand-fed to the dog.
When your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer gives you paperwork or requests paperwork from you, stick it in the appropriate file immediately. Procrastinating gives your documents extra time to lose themselves.
If you do lose important paperwork, let your lawyer know right away. He or she may be able to provide you with copies if they’re available.
