When a marriage starts to fall apart, it's often difficult to focus on practical matters as your mind is occupied with the emotions surrounding taking this huge step in your relationship. That's where a checklist can come in handy. Our separation checklist can help you get your ducks in a row and ease your transition to this new phase of life.
Printable Marriage Separation Checklist
A separation checklist helps you put everything in order, so there's less chance of overlooking something important. To download the free checklist, click on the image and use the print or download icon. If you have any issues, see the guide for working with Adobe printables.
Once you've downloaded and printed the checklist, you can check off each section to ensure you have everything covered. It's an easy way to remember important things or as a detailed guide for helping to stay on track with your life as you navigate dissolving your marriage.
Planning Ahead Will Smooth the Transition
Typically, this type of checklist addresses decision-making about how both parties continue to function within the family. It contains items in every part of your life that will be affected by the separation. The list is separated into the following sections.
Information to Gather
This is the information you will need to have with you in case you need it in the future. For many people, it's easier to keep a journal with the information in this section, along with important notes such as the date of separation. This is the info you'll need:
- Full legal names of all parties
- Date and place of marriage
- SSNs of family members
- Names and DOB of children
- Health and dental insurance info
- Pet records
- Info about important assets, etc.
- Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements and documentation
Things to Discuss
It isn't possible for all couples, but if you can still communicate well, there are many topics you should discuss, including child custody and the division of property and assets. If you can plan and have a conversation about situations such as how you will file taxes for the last year you were together, the separation will go much smoother. Plus, it'll be helpful if you divorce after the separation later. If you struggle to communicate, you can always discuss these things with a neutral third party, either via a mediator, family therapist, or attorney.
Things to discuss include:
- Legal and physical custody of children
- Decision-making rights and responsibilities regarding children
- Access to children by parents and other relatives
- Notification of illness and other events
- Religion/religious education
- Childcare costs
- Costs of activities
- Child support
- How payments will be made
- How tax deductions will be allocated
- Whether spousal support will be paid & expectations for that
- How you'll file taxes
- How you'll divide a refund or pay any liability
- What your property and assets are
- How you'll divide assets and property
- What all your debts are (medical, credit cards, loans, joint insurance, etc.)
- How you'll divide debts and payments
- How you'll allocate debts incurred after separation
- Who will use and possess the family home
Get Copies of Important Documents
If you can, you should make sure you have either copies or originals of the documents, as you will likely need the information after you have separated. It's much more difficult to call the insurance company about your car after you've separated if you don't happen to have any of the information with you.
- Tax returns
- Credit card/loan info and statements
- Mortgage of home as well as property description and form of ownership
- Checking and savings account statements
- Investments statements (401Ks, IRAs, etc.)
- Car titles and loan docs
- Deeds to other properties plus all documentation
- Wills and powers of attorney
- Retirement plans
- Life insurance policies
- Marriage certificate
Stay Focused
Separating from your spouse is difficult and confusing, but a checklist can help you and your partner stay organized through the process. The less time you spend moving forward in the best way possible. If you need legal assistance with your separation, make sure you contact a family law attorney in your area.
