The Importance of Documentation in Fairport, NY Divorce Proceedings

No one enters a marriage believing that one day, that marriage will end in divorce. Unfortunately, these situations arise every day across the city of Fairport, New York. Divorce is never easy, in both an emotional sense and a legal sense, and it requires careful preparation and organization. At Trotto Law Firm, P.C., we hope to stress the importance of documentation in Fairport, NY divorce proceedings, whatever your case might entail.

Whether you find yourself filing for divorce at the Monroe County Supreme Court or are working through divorce mediation along the Erie Canal, the strength of your case depends on the kind and quality of documentation you keep throughout the process. It can also prove vital to know exactly what kind of documentation you should be holding on to.

At Trotto Law Firm, P.C., we have nearly 20 years of experience helping clients through difficult family law issues, and we can help you.

What to Document During Your Fairport, NY Divorce Proceedings

No matter how amicable you and your soon-to-be spouse attempt to remain during your divorce proceedings, challenges can still arise. In 2021 alone, the state peaked with a divorce rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents. During these difficult situations, keeping track of detailed records can help you work to protect your rights and interests and can help ensure that your claims during all negotiations or court proceedings are backed up.

In a Fairport, NY, divorce proceeding, there are several things you should keep track of through detailed documentation, including the following:

• Financial Transactions. In a Fairport divorce, especially one that includes high assets or a collective marital value that is relatively high, it can be vital to keep detailed records of all financial transactions, including items like:
  • Bank statements
  • Credit card statements
  • Statements showing account balances
  • Your proof of income, such as pay stubs, records of bonuses, or any earnings from freelance work
  • All bills and recurring expenses
  • Property valuations or appraisals

  These records can be essential when it comes to the property or asset division aspect of your divorce or when figuring out child support or spousal maintenance obligations.

• Communication. It is likewise important that you keep documentation of all communications you have with your spouse, especially any conversation that includes topics such as:
  • All discussions regarding financial disputes or agreements
  • Any conversations regarding parenting or custody
  • Any communications of threatening or inappropriate behavior

  It can be beneficial to use certain apps that support co-parenting or keep a journal, which can help keep track of all interactions you have with your spouse before the divorce is finalized.

• Parenting Issues and Agreements.
  If you and your spouse share children aged 17 or younger, you will need to make decisions regarding custody or co-parenting arrangements. You will want to keep records of things such as:
  • Any communications regarding the education, healthcare, or extracurricular activities of your children
  • Any records of missed visitation or deviations from the agreed-upon schedule
  • Your agreed-upon schedules for shared parenting time or visitation
• Important Events and Days. It is likewise important to keep track of all essential dates, such as all mediation sessions, court hearings, or deadlines for submitting all necessary documents. It can be helpful to keep a detailed calendar or planner to stay on task with all the events and dates that will be involved in your Fairport divorce.
• All Legal Correspondence. Finally, you will want to keep track of all the communication you have with your divorce attorney, your mediator, or any other legal professional involved in your case. This can include all emails, text messages, phone calls, letters, notes from consultations or legal meetings, or voice messages.

Benefits of Keeping Detailed Documentation

There are several benefits to keeping detailed documentation during your Fairport, NY, divorce. These benefits can include the following:

• Accuracy assurance. Our memories can be unreliable at times, but when keeping detailed documentation, you can reference information as it is needed, and you can trust that the details are true and reliable.
• Support your claim. In any kind of legal dispute, having documentation that can back up and support your claim is crucial. Whether you are able to show a pattern of certain behavior or be able to prove your financial contributions, records are essential.
• Helps reduce conflict. Having clear documentation available can also help reduce conflict between you and your spouse, as it will be harder to argue against facts that are clearly recorded.

FAQs

What Are Some Tools for Effective Documentation?

There are several tools you can use to help ensure the documentation and records you keep throughout your divorce case are thorough and effective. These tools can include simple journals and notebooks, digital apps such as OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents, spreadsheets to help keep track of finances, and photographs and screenshots of text messages or bank accounts.

How Can Documentation in a Divorce Help Protect Me?

In a divorce case, documentation can allow you an extra layer of protection as it ensures that you have a record of all agreements, disputes, or violations of court orders that may arise in your case. If your spouse fails to comply with any orders issued by the court or engages in behavior that is harmful to you or your shared children, the documentation you keep can act as evidence.

What Is the Biggest Mistake During a Divorce?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make during your divorce case is not being honest with your spouse, your attorney, or the court. This is especially the case when it comes to the asset or property division of your case, as hiding assets in hopes of keeping them from becoming subject to a split is one of the worst choices you could make.

Speak with a Fairport, NY Divorce Lawyer Today

If you are facing a divorce in Fairport, New York, the team at Trotto Law Firm, P.C. is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our legal services and to schedule your initial consultation.