Documents to gather before you meet a divorce lawyer
A realistic checklist for California cases, organised so you can start small and add detail over time.
Start with what is easy to reach
California is a community property state, which in broad terms means that income and assets acquired during the marriage are generally treated as shared, with exceptions. Because of that, a lawyer will usually want a clear picture of what the household earns, owns and owes. You can begin with documents you already have in email, a filing cabinet or your online banking.
Gathering is not the same as taking. Copy documents that you already have lawful access to, and avoid logging into accounts or devices that belong to someone else. If you are unsure, ask the lawyer how to approach it.
Income and employment
These show what each person earns, and they feed into support calculations.
- Recent pay stubs for the last two to three months.
- Federal and state tax returns for the last two or three years, with W-2s or 1099s.
- Profit and loss statements if either spouse is self-employed.
- Documents about bonuses, equity compensation or commissions.
Accounts, property and debts
Statements are more helpful than screenshots, and the most recent twelve months gives a useful baseline.
- Checking, savings and brokerage statements.
- Retirement account statements, including pensions and employer plans.
- Mortgage statements, deeds, property tax bills and recent estimates of value.
- Vehicle titles and loan statements.
- Credit card statements and any personal or student loan balances.
Family and children
If children are involved, practical information matters as much as paperwork: school and activity schedules, childcare arrangements, health insurance details and a rough picture of who handles which responsibilities today. A lawyer can use this to explain how custody and parenting time are typically approached.
Personal and legal records
Keep these in one folder so they are easy to find.
- Marriage certificate and any prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.
- Any existing court orders, restraining orders or prior family court filings.
- A list of key accounts, insurance policies and who is named as beneficiary.
Do not let the checklist block you
Plenty of people attend a first consultation with only a few items. The goal is to be oriented, not perfect. If gathering documents is stressful or unsafe, tell the lawyer. They can help you prioritise what truly matters first.
Related divorce services
Official resources and next steps
Use these primary resources to check current procedures and attorney records. This guide is general education, not a legal review or verification of your circumstances.