Many Florida residents are unsure what to do with their divorce paperwork once the process is complete. For many, the files and folders associated with a divorce are overwhelming. It is not uncommon for couples to amass literally hundreds of pages of documents and legal correspondence. Hanging on to those documents can feel like a burden, both literally and figuratively. For those in Florida who use a collaborative law approach, the end result could be far less paperwork to handle, both during the divorce and afterward.
When it comes to one’s actual divorce settlement, it is important to hang on to those papers indefinitely. If the terms of the divorce are not being met, such as child custody or spousal support, having access to the settlement will be important. That said, there is no reason that those papers need to be stored in a file cabinet or box within the home; they are safer and less likely to be lost in a safe deposit box or locked in a fireproof.
For those who want to avoid amassing a huge pile of divorce paperwork in the first place, consider trying a collaborative approach. In general, working together to process the details of the end of a marriage is far less contentious than a traditionally litigated divorce. It also tends to generate fewer documents and pieces of correspondence.
Collaborative law has a number of benefits for Florida residents who are preparing to divorce. For those with kids, it is often a top priority to move through the divorce process with as little disruption as possible. A collaborative divorce can help make that goal a reality, and could save some trees in the process.
Source: commdiginews.com, “When should you shred your divorce papers?“, Myra Fleischer, Oct. 10, 2016
