Getting divorced can take a bit of work, and a lot of that work seems to involve making sure that you have all of the documents that you need. You need to file certain documents with the court, but there are also plenty of other items that you should gather before you get ready to start this process. Our Dallas County divorce lawyers can tell you more about what to expect and what you have to do.
What Kinds of Documents Should I Have Ready?
First, you should gather up financial and personal documents that can come in handy during the divorce process. This can include:
- Your marriage certificate
- Your Social Security card
- A government-issued ID, like your driver’s license or passport
- Bank statements
- Deeds to property
- Titles for vehicles
- Paystubs
- Tax returns
- Credit card and loan statements
- Statements from retirement and investment accounts
- Life insurance policies
What Documents Are Needed to Start My Divorce in Iowa?
Then there are some documents that you’ll need to actually file for divorce in court. You should have:
- A Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Form
- A financial affadavit
- The summons for your spouse
- A proposed parenting plan, if you have children
Depending on your specific situation, you might need more than this. Your lawyer can advise you about this and all of the appropriate documents can be found on the Iowa courts website.
Do I Need to File For Fault-Based Divorce?
You do not need a particular reason to get divorced. Iowa is a no-fault state, which means that you can just state that your marriage has broken down and there is no way that you’ll be able to fix things and stay together. You don’t have to try to prove infidelity, abuse, or anything like that.
Will My Spouse Be Notified?
Yes, when you file your divorce a summons is issued. This means that your spouse will be served with papers. This is usually a simple process since they can be served at their home or workplace, but if it is difficult to find them then more drastic actions might need to be taken.
Should I Talk to an Attorney?
You can file your divorce petition on your own, but we recommend having a lawyer advise you during this process. There’s a lot of paperwork involved and you don’t want to make any mistakes that could delay this process. A lawyer can make sure that everything is done correctly the first time.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you have any questions about the divorce process and what kinds of documents you need, we can help. Contact Iowa Defenders, PLLC and schedule a consultation with our team today.
