March 28, 2025

Now that your divorce is finalized, you can focus on your future. One important overlooked aspect is organizing and keeping essential documents from divorce proceedings. These documents hold vital information about your rights, duties, and agreements. This guide will break down the essential documents you must keep and why they are important as you move forward. Having these documents in order makes you better prepared to handle future situations.

The Divorce Decree

The most important document to keep is your divorce degree. You should have a copy signed by the judge, preferably a certified copy. If the judge does not sign the decree, it is not a full and final order.

Store the divorce decree in a safe place, such as a fireproof safe or a safety deposit box. Do not rely on your attorney to keep the documents; attorneys move, retire, and may not keep old documents. You should also scan it so you have a physical and digital copy, but if it’s a certified copy, DO NOT unstaple it.

Financial Records

Keep records of payments made or received for child support or spousal support. You should also keep any medical claims that were submitted and reimbursed. In the future, you may need to refer to these documents if your ex-spouse is claiming a missed payment, late payment, or some other disagreement.

Property Documents

Retain deeds or titles for any property awarded to you in the divorce. Some individuals mistakenly assume that being awarded the house in a divorce decree automatically grants them ownership. However, it’s essential to understand that properties like houses and vehicles have associated titles. Therefore, filing in the county deed records and keeping a copy of the filed deed is essential to prove ownership rights.

Financial Information

Maintain up-to-date financial records, including payroll records, bank statements, and tax returns. You must keep your financial records in order because they play a significant role in potential changes to child support arrangements, especially if you have a child under 18, still in high school, or with special needs.

The court can adjust child support based on changes in circumstances, such as an increase in your or your ex-spouse’s income. Their primary aim is to maximize child support payments through their system, ensuring that the well-being of children is prioritized.

The Right Lawyer Can Make All the Difference

Hiring a lawyer should be the first thing you do when encountering any legal matter, not a last resort. Whether you’re thinking about a separation or divorce or have been charged with a crime, been injured in an accident, or your civil rights have been violated, you need to first know your rights. Contact Mike Mastracci today at 614 Edmondson Ave Catonsville, MD 21228 (with satellite offices in Ocean City, Snow Hill, and Salisbury, Maryland), 410-869-3400, and check us out on Facebook.

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