Divorce Pre‑Consultation Checklist might sound dry, but it’s your shortcut to a calmer, faster first meeting. When you sit down with us at Sammarro & Zalarick, we’re going to translate a stressful situation into a practical plan. The more we can see—in black and white—the sooner we can protect what matters: your kids, your home, your income, and your peace of mind.
Think of this as a “grab‑and‑go” guide. You don’t need a perfect binder on day one. Bring what you can. We’ll fill the gaps together and explain what truly moves the needle in a New Jersey divorce (and what doesn’t).
Why a Divorce Pre‑Consultation Checklist Saves Time (and Stress)
A good consultation does three things: sets goals, gathers facts, and outlines a path. Documents are the bridge between what you’re telling us and what we can prove later. In New Jersey, your case will eventually involve forms like the Case Information Statement (CIS)—a sworn snapshot of income, expenses, assets, and debts that’s required by Court Rule 5:5‑2. Starting your file with the right paperwork makes every step after this easier for you (and cheaper).
How to Use This Checklist
Skim the sections below and grab what applies. If you can’t find an item, don’t panic—bring substitutes, and we’ll show you how to retrieve what’s missing. Many court resources and forms live on the NJ Courts Self‑Help site, and some filings can be submitted through JEDS, the Judiciary’s electronic document submission system.
Divorce Pre‑Consultation Checklist: What to Bring
IDs and Basic Facts
Start simple. Bring a government‑issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport), plus any prior names you’ve used. If you need certified copies of your marriage certificate or your child’s birth certificate, the NJ Office of Vital Statistics can help you order them. Certified vital records are often needed for name changes and other post‑judgment tasks.
Why it matters: Identity details must be consistent across court papers, financial accounts, and school/medical records. Fixing name/date mismatches early saves headaches later.
Your Story, in a Page
A one‑page timeline is pure gold: when you met, married, separated (if applicable), where you’ve lived, your children’s names and ages, and recent turning points. We’ll build the legal case around the life you’re actually living.
Children & Parenting Snapshot
If children are involved, bring school information (current school, IEP/504 if any), the weekly routine, and a list of doctors/therapists. Judges decide custody and parenting time using best‑interests factors; even at a first meeting, it helps to frame your child’s week around school, homework, activities, and sleep. (The Judiciary’s custody and parenting resources can help you see how courts think about these issues.)
Tip: If there are safety concerns or a restraining order, tell us right away. The court has separate procedures for TROs and FROs, and safety planning changes how we proceed.
Income & Employment
Recent pay stubs (last 4–8 weeks), W‑2s, 1099s, and your last two years of tax returns give us a reliable starting point. If you can’t find tax returns, you can pull IRS transcripts online or by mail. Social Security recipients can download a replacement SSA‑1099 from their my Social Security account. Unemployment recipients can access a 1099‑G through NJ Department of Labor.
Why it matters: Child support in NJ is driven by verified income and parenting time. Those numbers later plug into the Child Support Guidelines (Appendix IX‑A/IX‑B).
Monthly Budget & Bank Flow
Bring the last three months of bank statements for all accounts in your name (and joint accounts if you have them). We’re looking for regular deposits, typical bills, childcare costs, and any unusual transfers. This helps us build an accurate budget for the CIS, which every divorce with financial issues requires. (The CIS form and instructions are online.)
Can’t gather everything? A single month is still useful; we’ll build from there.
Taxes (Extra Credit, Big Payoff)
Bring your last two federal and NJ returns with all schedules. If you can’t find them, request Get Transcript from the IRS—quick and free.
Why it matters: Returns reveal income sources (salary, bonuses, dividends, rental income), itemized deductions, and sometimes hidden assets.
Real Estate
If you own a home or other property, bring the latest mortgage statement, property tax bill, homeowner’s insurance policy, and (if you have it) your deed or settlement packet from purchase or refinance. If there’s a home equity line, bring that statement too.
Why it matters: Equity and carrying costs drive settlement options (sell vs. buyout). A clean paper trail helps us move quickly.
Retirement & Investments
Print the most recent statements for 401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs, pensions, brokerage accounts, stock options/RSUs. We’ll flag accounts that will eventually need a QDRO (a special court order to divide qualified retirement plans correctly). The U.S. Department of Labor and NJ Division of Pensions have clear guidance on QDROs.
Why it matters: A divorce judgment alone doesn’t move retirement money. QDROs (or similar orders) are required to make plan administrators pay as intended.
Debts & Credit
Credit cards, personal loans, auto loans, student loans—bring the latest statements with balances and interest rates. If you suspect unknown debt, pull your free credit reports from the official site AnnualCreditReport.com (endorsed by the FTC). You can request all three reports at once or stagger them.
Why it matters: We need a complete picture of marital vs. separate debt to craft settlements that won’t surprise you six months later.
Insurance
Health, dental, vision, life, disability, and auto—bring the summary pages (not the whole policy). For life insurance, note beneficiaries and any cash value.
Why it matters: Coverage affects support and parenting logistics (who insures the kids, who pays unreimbursed expenses), and life insurance often secures support obligations.
Business Owners & Self‑Employed
If you or your spouse own a business, bring three–six months of business bank statements, P&Ls, balance sheets, and the last two years of business tax returns. We’ll assess whether we need a valuation later and decide which records to request in discovery.
Prenups, Postnups, and Prior Court Orders
If there’s a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, bring the signed copy with any attachments. Also bring any prior family court orders (support, custody, restraining orders), even if they’re from another state. These documents shape strategy from the first five minutes.
Safety & Domestic Violence Records (If Applicable)
If there’s been abuse, bring TRO/FRO paperwork, police reports, medical records, and any relevant messages (texts, emails, social media DMs). The Judiciary’s domestic violence resources outline the TRO/FRO process and what to expect at hearings—we’ll focus on safety first, then the case.
Immigration & Status (If Relevant)
If immigration status affects work, travel, or identity documents, bring your passport, green card, I‑94 printout, or work authorization. You can retrieve an I‑94 and travel history from the official CBP I‑94 site and replace a green card via official USCIS routes.
Optional but Helpful: A Clean Credit Snapshot
If you’re concerned about debt you didn’t authorize or you’re preparing to refinance a mortgage post‑divorce, get your free reports via AnnualCreditReport.com before meeting us. We’ll scan for red flags (mystery accounts, old addresses, identity‑theft signs) and decide what to dispute. The FTC explains why that site is the official channel.
If You Can’t Find a Document
Don’t let “perfect” delay “done.” Bring what you have. We’ll show you how to fill gaps quickly:
- Tax returns: request IRS transcripts online or by mail.
- SSA‑1099: download from my Social Security.
- Unemployment 1099‑G: sign into NJ Department of Labor.
- Vital records: order certified copies through NJ Vital Statistics.
- I‑94/travel history: retrieve from CBP.
How New Jersey Courts Will Use These Later
Most of what you bring ultimately feeds your CIS—the backbone financial disclosure in NJ divorces. The Judiciary publishes the current CIS form and instructions online; both reference Rule 5:5‑2 and standardize what judges see from every litigant. Your income/expense picture and the children’s schedule later plug into the Child Support Guidelines worksheets (Appendix IX‑A/IX‑B). When it’s time to file, some documents can be submitted electronically via JEDS.
If your case is in Bergen County, your court appearances will be at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack. We’ll walk you through what’s in person, what can be handled virtually, and how to prepare for each step.
Privacy, Safety, and “Do‑No‑Harm” Tips
If safety is an issue, say so right away. We can adjust how we communicate and what you bring to the office. The Judiciary’s domestic violence pages explain emergency filing and hearing options; if there’s an active TRO or FRO, mediation on custody will not be used. Keep sensitive documents off shared home computers and cloud folders until we discuss a plan.
For everyone: redact complete account numbers on copies you email; we’ll review originals in person. Use a private email during the case. Small habits prevent big problems.
What Happens at the First Divorce Meeting (Our Approach)
We’ll start with your goals: stability for the children, a clean budget that works, and a fair plan for property and support. Then we’ll scan your documents and explain how they map to New Jersey procedure—CIS timing, parenting proposals, and (if needed) how retirement gets split with QDROs. We’ll leave you with a short to‑do list and a clear timeline.
If you’re ready to move forward, we assign tasks: you gather the next round of statements; we start your draft CIS and a preliminary parenting or financial proposal. The result is momentum—without chaos.
Final Word
You don’t need perfect files to have a productive first meeting. Bring what you can, and we’ll turn it into a plan—what to file, what to negotiate, and how to keep life stable while the case moves forward. When we say “checklist,” we mean less stress, fewer surprises, and a faster path to the future you want.
If you’re ready, Sammarro & Zalarick divorce attorneys will meet you where you are—whether that’s a shoebox of receipts or a neatly labeled folder. Let’s get started.
Legal Notice
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every case is different. If you have questions about your situation, contact us for a confidential consultation.