The law requires both spouses must have access to their financial information. This information will be used to determine an appropriate property division, child & spousal support, and attorneys fees and costs.
Find out what property you and/or your spouse own and how much it is worth.
This process can be quite expensive as valuation experts and attorneys are often used to answer those questions. What you spend on discovery will depend on the size and complexity of your estate and the cooperation level of your spouse. Assets like small businesses are notoriously difficult to value and your spouse’s share is difficult to determine.
Save costs by gathering your own information.
Your attorney will happily bill you for the costs of gathering easily obtainable information such as bank records. Save money and do it yourself.
When you meet with your attorney come prepared with as much financial information as possible.
This may save the costs of meeting again later with your attorney. If you lack any information, try your best to complete any financial questionnaire given to you. Such a questionnaire will likely resemble Judicial Council Form FL-150 and FL-142. Down load those forms and gather the relevant information before the meeting. If you are not used to handling the finances or do not have easy access to important info, your attorney may conduct formal discovery.
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