If you and your spouse are going through a high contested divorce, you may want to protect your assets. This can be increasingly difficult depending on how long you have been married. Couples that have been married for 20 plus years may have more difficulty keeping their assets separate than a couple that has been married for less than 5 years.
Find out how much money you have and where it is
The first step in protecting your assets is knowing what assets are in your name. Find proper documentation that shows the assets belong to you. Keep proof of ownership and any other legal documents you find.
Bank statements, tax forms, pay stubs and any other documents that you have signed may be helpful for your divorce settlement. Make sure you have secure copies of all documentation.
Retirement accounts
Retirement accounts are especially difficult to protect. If the account is deemed marital property it will be subject to negotiation. Most states aim to fairly distribute retirement fund assets.
You will want to hire an attorney to help protect yourself in divorce. Especially if you have high-value assets, an experienced divorce attorney is crucial to helping you transition into your new life as seamlessly as possible.