Worksheets for Financial Settlement

With the help of financial analyst Ted Beecher, we've developed a series of worksheets to help you move toward financial settlement and cut the best deal you can. In the end, whether you plan to settle or litigate, you will need to document your assets and your debts. The sooner you compile these documents, the better off you'll be.

In addition, the very act of compiling your financial information will help you work through the process: You will find out what your true financial position is, get a sense of what you can really ask for, and start thinking about what kind of counter-proposal you are likely to get from your spouse.

Just as important, by filling out these worksheets, you will come face to face with the likely gap between your position and that of your spouse. Thus prepared, you will be better able to support your position in settlement negotiations or in court. It's this simple: The more prepared you are, the more likely you will be to come out ahead.

The information these worksheets ask for is the sort of information you will need to present in any court-ordered financial affidavit. By organizing this material in advance, you will save time and legal fees.

The first list is intended to give you a sense of your overall financial situation. The second worksheet functions as a financial affidavit.

Excerpted from:

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Surviving Divorce © 2002 by BookEnds, LLC. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.