This is a very comprehensive list of information for you to collect, if possible, before you see a family law solicitor.
A lot of it may not apply to you.
It's important to provide information that is as accurate as possible.
1 In relation to any real estate in which you have any legal or beneficial interest either solely or jointly or in common with any other person(s):
- any appraisals or valuations;
- all documents of title, Transfers, discharge of mortgage and settlement statements;
- any rental documents such as lease agreements; and
- any document containing or showing the details and/or payment of maintenance, repairs and/or improvements made to the property and/or rental of the property.
2 Receipts and invoices relating to the payment of any household expenses, including utilities and rates.
3 Receipts, invoices and correspondence in relation to any renovations to the various properties in which you or your husband/wife have held an interest.
4 All documents in relation to the purchase, sale or renovation of any of the properties.
5 Receipts and invoices relating to the acquisition and/or maintenance of furniture and appliances.
6 Appraisals or valuations of any furniture and jewellery.
7 Documents relating to any vehicles in which you or your husband/wife have held an interest.
8 All documents in respect of any banking, mortgage, credit card account or other financial institution account (including but not limited to savings, cheque, credit card, loan and investment account) in which you or your husband/wife have any legal or beneficial interest, whether jointly or severally with others or alone, or in respect of which you have the power to sign directions or withdrawals, including for each such account all bank statements, credit card statements, passbooks, deposit slips, cheques butts and cheque book.
9 Records of any investments including investments in stocks, shares, debentures, share options, margin lending accounts whether in your name solely or with any person or persons, or in which you have any legal or beneficial interest.
10 Your payslips.
11 Employment contracts or engagement letters.
12 Your income tax returns and assessments.
13 Any correspondence to or from your accountants.
14 In relation to any superannuation interests:
- your most recent superannuation member statement and/or a completed superannuation information form from the trustee of the superannuation fund;
- if you are a member of a self-managed superannuation fund, a copy of the trust deed and the 3 most recent financial statements for the fund.
15 In relation to any corporation in which you own shares, or have a legal or beneficial interest in such shares either solely or jointly or in common with any other person(s):
- all financial statements, including balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, depreciation schedules and taxation returns;
- all annual returns; and
- the Memoranda and Articles of Association or founding documents.
16 In relation to any trust of which you are either an appointor, trustee, or in the case of a corporate trustee, an officeholder or shareholder, or of which you are a beneficiary or potential beneficiary of any kind:
- all financial statements, including balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, depreciation schedules and taxation returns; and
- the trust deed (including any amendments); and
- all market appraisals for any assets held by the trust.
17 In relation to any partnership in which you have a legal or beneficial interest:
- all financial statements, including balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, depreciation schedules and taxation returns;
- the partnership agreement; and
- all business activity statements.
18 All bank or other financial institution account statements for past 12 months.
19 Any other document relevant to determining your income, expenses, assets, liabilities and financial resources.
20 Documents relating to any personal loan agreements and payments to, or from, your parents.
21 Documents relating to any insurance policies held by, or on behalf of, your husband/wife or you.
22 Documents in support of your involvement with the children, including correspondence, school reports, medical reports, birthday cards, diaries and photographs.
23 Receipts in relation to purchases made for the children.
24 Vehicle log books detailing any travel you have taken on behalf of the children.
25 Documents that may support your contributions as a homemaker, for example vehicle log books detailing your trips to go grocery shopping, paid accounts and cheque stubbs that show who physically paid the accounts, your diary (diaries).
26 Any other document relevant to parenting issues, including but not limited to medical reports, school reports, letters, drawings and photographs.
27 All documents in support of your children attending their school.
28 All documents showing travel undertaken by you during the relationship.
29 All documents in relation to your investments (and shares or other investments) during the relationship and the increase in value of such investments.