Divorce Financial Inventory Checklist: Every Asset and Debt to Document

Every divorce — contested or amicable — requires a complete financial disclosure. Courts mandate it. Attorneys need it. Mediators expect it. The question is whether you organize it proactively or scramble to produce it under a 30-to-60-day filing deadline.

This checklist covers every category of asset, debt, income, and document that belongs on your financial inventory. Use it as a working reference while gathering records.

Real Estate

• Primary residence: address, title holders, purchase date, purchase price, current fair market value, mortgage lender, outstanding balance, home equity line of credit balance
• Additional properties: rental properties, vacation homes, vacant land, timeshares
• For each property: monthly payment, property tax amount, insurance cost, net equity
• Recent appraisals or comparative market analyses

Bank Accounts

• Every checking and savings account (joint and individual) at every institution
• Money market accounts
• Certificates of deposit (CDs)
• For each: institution, account type, account holders, current balance
• 12-36 months of statements for each account

Investment Accounts

• Brokerage accounts (joint and individual)
• Individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds
• Stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), employee stock purchase plan shares
• Cryptocurrency holdings (Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, exchange accounts)
• For each: institution, current market value, cost basis (critical for capital gains tax)

Retirement Accounts

• 401(k), 403(b), 457 plans
• Traditional IRA and Roth IRA
• Defined-benefit pension (request a present-value calculation from the plan administrator)
• Deferred compensation plans
• Military retirement (Survivor Benefit Plan, DFAS account)
• Government pensions (federal FERS/CSRS, state pension systems)
• In Canada: RRSP, TFSA, CPP
• In the UK: workplace pension, personal pension (request CETV — Cash Equivalent Transfer Value)
• In Australia: superannuation
• For each: plan name, administrator, current balance, vesting schedule, pre-marital balance

Business Interests

• Any business you or your spouse own or co-own: LLCs, corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships
• For each: ownership percentage, most recent valuation or financial statements, three years of business tax returns, profit and loss statements, balance sheets
• Director loans, shareholder loans, or draws
• Intellectual property: patents, trademarks, copyrights with licensing revenue

Vehicles and Personal Property

• Cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs: make, model, year, mileage, Kelley Blue Book value, outstanding loan balance
• High-value personal property: jewelry, art, antiques, collections (coins, stamps, wine), musical instruments, firearms
• For items above your local reporting threshold (typically $500-$1,000): description, estimated fair market resale value, acquisition date

Insurance Policies

• Life insurance: term and permanent (whole, universal, variable)
• For permanent policies: current cash surrender value, outstanding policy loans
• For each: insurer, policy number, death benefit, named beneficiaries, annual premium
• Disability insurance, long-term care insurance

Debts and Liabilities

• Mortgages and HELOCs
• Auto loans
• Student loans (federal and private): lender, balance, payment, repayment plan
• Credit card balances (joint and individual)
• Personal loans, family loans
• Medical debt
• Tax liabilities: back taxes owed, payment plans
• Legal judgments or pending lawsuits
• For each: creditor, balance, interest rate, monthly payment, joint or individual

Income Documentation

• Pay stubs: last 3-6 months for both spouses
• Tax returns: last 3-5 years including all schedules (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s)
• Self-employment records: gross revenue, business expenses, net income
• Investment income: dividends, interest, capital gains distributions
• Rental income
• Spousal or child support received from a prior relationship
• Government benefits (Social Security, disability, unemployment)
• Side income: freelance, consulting, royalties, commissions

Commonly Overlooked Items

• Health savings accounts (HSA)
• Flexible spending account balances (FSA)
• Accrued vacation and sick leave payouts
• Frequent flyer miles and hotel loyalty points
• Credit card reward points
• Security deposits on rental properties
• Country club or golf memberships
• Prepaid tuition plans (529 accounts)
• Tax refunds owed
• Pending personal injury settlements or worker's compensation claims
• Safe deposit box contents
• Digital assets: domain names, online businesses, NFTs

Documents to Gather

• Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
• Estate planning documents: wills, trusts, powers of attorney
• Beneficiary designation forms for retirement accounts and life insurance
• Property deeds and vehicle titles
• Business formation documents and operating agreements
• Lease agreements (as landlord or tenant)

Turning the Checklist Into Action

A checklist tells you what to find. A worksheet tells you where to record it, how to calculate the values courts require, and how to classify each item as marital or separate property. The Divorce Financial Inventory Workbook converts this checklist into structured worksheets — asset ledger, debt ledger, document tracker, and income harmonizer — that produce the organized financial packet your attorney, mediator, or court form requires.