How Long Should You Keep Divorce and Custody Records After Your Case Ends?

Once the proceedings have been settled and finalized, many individuals start looking forward. As they begin the task of gathering and organizing the papers that they will no longer need, the question becomes whether or not they must retain these documents for future use.

Even once your case is settled, many family law papers could still be vital years from now. Having organized documents may help you avoid wasting time and unnecessary stress in the future.

Which documents should you keep?

Some records from family law cases must always be kept indefinitely whenever possible. They include the following:

• Final decree of divorce.
• Orders regarding child custody.
• Orders for child support.
• Orders for spousal support/alimony.
• Prenuptial agreement.
• Orders regarding a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) concerning the division of retirement accounts.
• Parenting plan, along with any changes approved by the court.

These are records that help define your legal obligations. You may require these records in the future for changing an order or proving your divorce.

Financial records matter too

You should keep all documents related to your divorce, especially financial ones, for a few more years. These documents may include:

• Tax forms
• Bank account statements
• Statements of retirement accounts
• Appraisals of properties
• Mortgage papers
• Support payments received

It is possible that, at some point, they will become very important in resolving any kind of dispute regarding support, taxes, or financial obligations.

If there was a large asset distribution during your divorce, these documents might also prove useful to you if you ever need to sell something.

Custody cases can change over time

Maybe parents feel that once a custody order is in place, it is no longer necessary to keep the documents. Custody orders tend to change over time as your children get older.

Should either parent wish to change custody, relocate, or adjust parenting time, the judge can review previous orders and agreements regarding custody. Keeping track of all the documentation allows your lawyer to quickly understand your case and any changes that have occurred.

Keeping communications about custody, parenting, and any major arguments will also be helpful in the event of future legal action.

Digital storage can help make recordkeeping easier

Paper files can get destroyed or lost. You should consider making digital scans of your family law documents and keep them securely stored in two or more locations, such as an encrypted hard drive or a reliable online storage service.

Digital files will allow quick access to the information when necessary and will help protect valuable documents for a long period of time. Yet, one should always keep the original documents somewhere safe.

Talk to a Philadelphia, PA, Divorce Lawyer Today

The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane represent the interests of Philadelphia residents during their divorce. Call our Philadelphia family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin going over your case right away.