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. Bills, financial statements, kids’ medical and school records, and paperwork from your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer can easily get scattered if you’re not careful. 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 need to organize everything at once, but you should keep it all accessible in case you or your lawyer needs it. 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.” Later, 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.
Organizing everything in broad categories will help you to avoid becoming overwhelmed by your files. Doing so also makes it simpler to find what you need, when you need it. 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.
Use one folder for documents from your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer and another for documents you need to give them. When your attorney requests something, just move it to the “To” folder so it’s ready for your next meeting.
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.
Keep files out of your kids’ reach—they shouldn’t be involved, and you don’t want your paperwork ruined or destroyed.
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. They may be able to provide you with copies if they’re available.
For more information on how to stay organized during your divorce, contact us or call us at (919) 787-6668.
