How Long Should I Keep Divorce Records?

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Divorce, even under the best circumstances, is never easy. Coming to terms with the fact that your marriage has failed can be quite challenging. Moving forward with your life can be especially hard if you still have possession and documents that may evoke memories of your former spouse. While you may feel inclined to dispose of everything that reminds you of this challenging time, avoiding making impulsive decisions before undressing the potential consequences of discarding your divorce records is essential. Please continue reading to learn what paperwork you should hold on to after your divorce is finalized and why connecting with a determined Ocean County Divorce Attorney is in your best interest. 

What Are the Most Important Divorce Documents to Keep?

Following a divorce, people often mistakenly throw away critical legal documents, such as their original marriage certificate and settlement agreement. Understandably, you may want to move on from your former spouse as quickly as possible. However, it’s essential to hold onto certain legal documents as they could be helpful in the future.

Firstly, you should keep your original marriage license secure as it’s the document that corroborates the legal union. This is important because if you have to prove the duration of your marriage, this document will demonstrate you are eligible to receive certain benefits. For example, if you were married for ten years, you may qualify for a portion of your former spouse’s Social Security benefits. If you fail to retain your original marriage license along with your divorce decree, both of which can confirm the length of the marriage, you may not be able to claim your former spouse’s Social Security benefits.

In addition to safeguarding your marriage license, it’s vital to retain your settlement agreement. This legal document will contain all the necessary information regarding the terms and conditions of the dissolution of your marriage, such as spousal support payments, child support obligations, child custody arrangements, and more. In the unfortunate event that your former spouse neglects to adhere to the terms of the settlement agreement, this document can be used to get the courts to enforce the terms.

Furthermore, it’s beneficial to keep all financial records associated with your divorce, including any receipts for spousal or child support payments. If one party proposes modifying the existing terms of the settlement agreement, these financial records can help provide evidence to support the request.

How Long Should I Store Divorce Records?

As a general rule, it’s in your best interest to keep all divorce-related documents. You should never dispose of important legal documents as they may be useful in the future. Unfortunately, you can’t anticipate when you may need to produce documentation related to your divorce. Therefore, it’s important to keep them safely stored forever.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact a knowledgeable Ocean County divorce attorney. We are prepared to help guide you through this complex legal process at the Law Office of Sarina Gianna, LLC.