Indiana Divorce Preparation Checklist

Preparing for divorce often begins with practical questions: What documents should you gather? What expenses need attention? What should you bring to an attorney?

This checklist helps Indiana readers organize information before or during a divorce. Use the sections that apply to your circumstances, and mark items that are complete or not applicable. You do not need to finish the checklist before seeking legal advice.

Start with what you have. Missing records and unanswered questions can be discussed with your attorney. Gather only information you are legally entitled to access, and keep sensitive documents in a secure location.

You can check items as you work through the page. Your selections are not saved by this checklist and may reset when you leave or reload the page. The button below opens a printer-friendly checklist with your current checkmarks.

1. Identify Immediate Priorities

Start with issues that affect safety, daily needs, or upcoming deadlines. These may require attention before you have gathered every financial record.

• Identify any immediate safety concerns involving you or your children. If there is immediate danger, call 911.
• Write down upcoming hearing dates, appointments, and deadlines shown on court papers.
• Identify essential bills due soon, including housing, utilities, insurance, and childcare.
• Note any concerns about access to money, medication, transportation, or important documents.
• Prepare a short list of temporary arrangements to discuss with your attorney, such as housing, bill payments, or parenting schedules.

2. Organize Basic Case Information

A brief timeline and complete copies of existing documents can help an attorney understand where matters stand.

• Record the date of marriage and any relevant separation dates.
• Note where each spouse currently lives and how long each has lived in Indiana and the relevant county.
• Gather the complete divorce papers if a case has already been filed, including notices and attachments.
• Record the case number, court name, and contact information for any attorney already involved.
• Collect existing custody, parenting time, support, protection, or other relevant court orders.
• Locate any prenuptial, postnuptial, or other written agreements that may be relevant.
• Identify any related proceedings or orders from another state or country.

3. Gather Income and Employment Records

Begin with recent records and ask your attorney what additional time periods or documents are needed.

• Gather recent pay statements and available wage or income forms.
• Locate recent tax returns and supporting schedules.
• List bonuses, commissions, overtime, tips, and other variable compensation.
• Identify self-employment, business, rental, investment, or other income sources.
• Collect available business financial statements and ownership documents if applicable.
• Note employment benefits, equity compensation, deferred compensation, or expected payments that need further review.
• Write down any anticipated changes in work hours, employment, or income.

4. List Assets and Debts

Create an inventory rather than deciding for yourself what is or is not subject to division. Include items you are unsure about and identify missing information.

Assets

• List checking, savings, investment, and other financial accounts.
• Gather available retirement account statements and pension or benefit information.
• List real estate and locate available deeds, mortgage statements, and valuation records.
• List vehicles, business interests, and valuable personal property.
• Identify property owned before marriage and property received as a gift or inheritance for discussion with your attorney.
• Record estimated values, the date of each estimate, and the source of the information.

Debts

• List mortgages, credit cards, vehicle loans, personal loans, and other outstanding obligations.
• Identify tax balances, payment plans, business debts, or guarantees that may require review.
• Record whose name appears on each obligation, the current balance, minimum payment, and due date.
• Mark any disputed balances or accounts for which records are unavailable.

5. Prepare a Household Budget

Separate current expenses from estimates for a future household. Label uncertain amounts so they can be checked later.

• Record housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
• List utilities, groceries, transportation, phone, and other recurring expenses.
• Include childcare, school expenses, activities, and children’s medical needs.
• Include insurance premiums, prescriptions, and expected out-of-pocket health costs.
• Identify annual or irregular expenses that may be missed in a monthly estimate.
• Prepare a separate estimate of moving costs, deposits, or other possible transition expenses.
• Note which bills are paid automatically and from which accounts.

6. Organize Information About Your Children

If you have children, focus on their daily routines and practical needs. Keep them out of document gathering and adult disagreements.

• Collect school calendars, childcare schedules, and activity schedules.
• Write down each parent’s work schedule and current caregiving responsibilities.
• Identify transportation needs and travel times between homes, school, and childcare.
• Organize relevant medical, developmental, or educational information.
• List recurring child-related expenses and available supporting records.
• Identify questions about school breaks, holidays, vacations, and communication.
• Prepare questions about a possible parenting arrangement, including any safety concerns.

7. Review Insurance and Benefits

Gather information before making coverage changes. Ask your attorney and the appropriate plan administrator about issues affecting your circumstances.

• Identify who is covered under each health, dental, and vision plan.
• Locate plan summaries, premium information, and benefits contact details.
• Ask how divorce may affect eligibility, required notices, and replacement or continuation coverage.
• List life, disability, home, and vehicle insurance policies for review.
• Identify beneficiary designations and estate planning documents to discuss with your attorney before making changes.
• Add potential insurance and benefit changes to your budget questions.

8. Organize and Protect Your Records

A simple filing system can make information easier to locate and reduce repeated requests.

• Group records into folders for income, accounts, property, debts, insurance, children, and court documents.
• Use clear filenames that identify the document and date.
• Keep originals intact and ask how copies should be provided to your attorney.
• Store sensitive documents securely and use an appropriate method for sharing them.
• Ask your attorney about preserving relevant messages, electronic records, and other potential evidence.
• Make a list of missing records and questions about how to obtain them lawfully.

Do not access another person’s private accounts without authorization. Avoid deleting, altering, or concealing potentially relevant records.

9. Prepare for a Consultation

Bring what is available, along with a short explanation of your immediate concerns. A consultation can help identify which remaining tasks matter most.

• Prepare a brief timeline of important events.
• Bring complete court papers, existing orders, and relevant agreements.
• Bring your preliminary asset, debt, income, and expense lists.
• Identify your most important goals and concerns.
• Ask about appropriate filing location, temporary arrangements, and upcoming deadlines.
• Ask about fees, communication, document sharing, and next steps.
• Write down what additional information the attorney recommends gathering.

10. Get Advice Before Major Changes

If you are considering a major change, add it to your attorney question list. Existing orders, financial obligations, and your circumstances can affect the appropriate approach.

• Ask before transferring substantial funds, selling property, or taking on significant new debt.
• Discuss proposed changes to bill payments, joint accounts, or insurance coverage.
• Seek advice about moving, changing a child’s school, or making major parenting changes.
• Have proposed agreements reviewed before signing.
• Ask about tax, retirement, business, or other issues that may require an additional professional.

If safety is at risk, prioritize emergency assistance and prompt legal advice rather than waiting to complete this checklist.

11. Stay Organized as the Case Progresses

Use a short, current task list to keep track of what happens next.

• Maintain a calendar of hearings, appointments, and document deadlines.
• Keep copies of filed documents, signed agreements, and court orders.
• Update financial information when new statements or significant changes arise.
• Keep factual records of payments and other matters your attorney asks you to document.
• Review responsibilities and deadlines in each new order with your attorney.
• Maintain a running question list for your next discussion.

Use This Checklist at Your Own Pace

The goal is to make your information easier to understand and your next steps easier to identify. Complete the items you can, mark the questions you need help answering, and seek guidance when a decision or deadline requires attention.

This checklist is an organizational resource, not a list of required court filings. It provides general information and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Not every item applies to every case. Consult an attorney about your circumstances, applicable deadlines, and existing court orders.