What Documents Do I Need to Keep After My New York Divorce?

man holding divorce certificate

If you’ve recently gone through a divorce, you’ll likely need to complete a significant amount of paperwork and receive numerous documents. However, in an effort to move on from your marriage, you may fire up the shredder. You may want to think twice before destroying these documents, as there are many you must keep. If you recently went through a divorce, it’s vital to understand what paperwork you should hold on to. Keep reading to learn more and discover how divorce attorneys in Nassau County can help you through this process.

What Documents Must I Keep After I Get Divorced?

Following your divorce, one of the most important things you need to keep is your official divorce decree. Unfortunately, this is one of the first things many tend to get rid of because it solidifies the end of your marriage. However, this document contains all necessary information surrounding the details of your divorce, such as alimony payments, child custody arrangements, and child support.

It’s also important to keep records of alimony payments and child support exchanged between you and your ex. This includes who the payee is, when the funds were exchanged, and the amount. This can be used to help enforce the agreement if your ex is not holding up their side of the bargain.

You’ll also need to keep any information regarding appraisals that were made before the divorce. When property is distributed during a divorce, you’ll need to ensure they are appraised to help ensure each partner gets equitable assets.

How Long Should I Keep These Papers?

Generally, you can get rid of documents like tax returns within three years of the filing date. However, for papers regarding your divorce, you should keep them forever. Unfortunately, you’ll never know when you must produce papers regarding your divorce.

You may be able to get rid of some documents, like financial records, after you stop receiving alimony or the child support expires. However, you should keep digital copies on a computer or hard drive.

You must also keep your marriage license. If your marriage lasted more than ten years, you’ll likely be eligible to receive social security benefits on behalf of your spouse. However, you must keep the original document, as the Social Security Administration will likely only accept the original copy of the license. Be sure to keep these documents in a secure location, like a fireproof lockbox.

If you’re going through a divorce, it’s necessary to understand that there are many legal complexities that you must consider. As such, you’ll need the assistance of an experienced attorney to help you through this process. At Barrows Levy, our dedicated legal team will work hard to help you through these overwhelming circumstances. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.

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