A financial analysis consultation is most useful when the main financial questions are identified early.
You do not need to have every document gathered before the first conversation. The purpose of the consultation is to understand the situation, identify the likely scope of work, and determine what records or analysis may be needed.
Before the consultation, it is helpful to think about:
- What are the main financial concerns in the case?
- Are there assets that are difficult to value or divide?
- Are there separate property claims involving premarital assets, gifts, inheritances, or post-separation contributions?
- Are pensions, RSUs, stock options, business interests, or deferred compensation involved?
- Is support being discussed?
- Are financial records incomplete, confusing, or disputed?
- Has a settlement proposal already been made?
- Are there timing issues, such as mediation, trial preparation, or discovery deadlines?
Useful documents may include recent account statements, tax returns, financial declarations, paystubs, pension or equity compensation documents, settlement proposals, and any records related to disputed financial issues.
The consultation should help determine whether the case needs targeted review, deeper analysis, or a more comprehensive financial report.
The goal is to match the work to the issues involved so the analysis is useful, focused, and practical.
Short Resource Downloads / Checklists
Records to Keep After Divorce
After divorce, some financial records should be kept permanently or for an extended period. These documents may be needed for taxes, retirement benefits, title issues, refinancing, future support questions, or clarification of settlement terms.
Keep copies of:
- final divorce decree and orders,
- separation contract or settlement agreement,
- parenting plan and support orders, if applicable,
- QDROs or retirement division orders,
- pension correspondence and benefit elections,
- account transfer confirmations,
- brokerage and retirement account statements showing division or rollover,
- real estate deeds, refinance documents, and title transfer records,
- vehicle title transfer records,
- life insurance and beneficiary designation confirmations,
- tax returns and tax forms related to the year of divorce,
- records supporting asset values used in settlement,
- documentation of equalization payments,
- and correspondence confirming completion of required financial transfers.
A small, permanent divorce financial records file can prevent unnecessary confusion years later.
Post-Settlement Financial Checklist
After the divorce is final, confirm that the agreed financial steps have actually been completed.
Review:
- Were all required account transfers completed?
- Were retirement division orders submitted, accepted, and implemented?
- Were equalization payments made and documented?
- Were real estate title changes completed?
- Were mortgage refinance or assumption requirements completed?
- Were vehicle titles transferred?
- Were beneficiary designations updated?
- Were life insurance requirements implemented?
- Were automatic payments, joint accounts, and shared credit arrangements closed or changed?
- Were support payment arrangements established?
- Were tax-related documents retained?
- Were copies of final orders saved in a permanent location?
- Have all subscriptions and utility accounts been registered in the appropriate name?
The settlement agreement is not the final step. Implementation matters.
Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to Settlement Terms
Before finalizing settlement terms, consider reviewing these questions with your attorney and financial professional:
- What assets will I receive, and when will I have access to them?
- Which assets are taxable, illiquid, restricted, or difficult to value?
- What debts or ongoing costs remain after settlement?
- How will support amount and duration affect monthly cash flow?
- What happens when support ends?
- Can I meet housing, tax, insurance, and living expenses under the proposed terms?
- Are retirement accounts, pensions, survivor benefits, or deferred compensation properly addressed?
- Are separate property claims supported by records?
- Are all account transfers, title changes, and retirement division steps clearly described?
- Does the proposed structure work under realistic assumptions?
A settlement should be understood before it is signed.