Should you keep divorce papers?

Should you keep divorce papers?

You should keep copies of all your divorce-related financial paperwork for tax purposes and if you’re paying or receiving child or spousal support. The court may need to see the financial documentation from the divorce to determine whether circumstances warrant a change in the support order.

What do you get after divorce?

When a married couple gets a divorce, the court may award “alimony” or spousal support to one of the former spouses, based either on an agreement between the couple or a decision by the court itself. This is separate from the division of marital property and is decided on a case-by-case basis.

How long should you keep bank statements?

Three years

How long should you keep bills before shredding?

Credit card bills: Shred immediately when paid. Bank statements: One month. Bills: One year for anything tax or warranty related; all other bills should be shred as soon as they have been paid. Paychecks and pay stubs: One year, or until you’ve received your W-2 statement for that tax year.

What papers to save and what to throw away?

Important papers to save forever include:

• Birth certificates.
• Social Security cards.
• Marriage certificates.
• Adoption papers.
• Death certificates.
• Passports.
• Wills and living wills.
• Powers of attorney.

Should I shred old utility bills?

After paying credit card or utility bills, shred them immediately. Also, shred sales receipts, unless related to warranties, taxes, or insurance. After one year, shred bank statements, pay stubs, and medical bills (unless you have an unresolved insurance dispute).

Is there any reason to keep old utility bills?

Monthly utility/cable/phone bills: Once you know the bill is correct, toss it. But if you deduct some of these costs on your tax return, you’ll want to save them with your return (more on that in a moment). Credit card statements: If you know all the charges are correct, you probably don’t need to keep this.

Should you shred mail with your name and address?

Personal information is what identity thieves are after. Your date of birth and Social Security number are especially vulnerable. So shredding anything that contains that information is a good idea. Other information to be wary of is your full name, address, home or work telephone numbers, and driver’s license number.

What papers should I keep and for how long?

To be on the safe side, McBride says to keep all tax records for at least seven years. Keep forever. Records such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, Social Security cards, and military discharge papers should be kept indefinitely.

Can I throw away old insurance policies?

Once you sign and pay for a new policy, the old one ceases to be valid, so unless you are interested in comparing the rates/coverages over time, [copies of old insurance policies] will provide very little value.” While you can toss old insurance policies, you’ll want to keep these financial documents forever.

Is it safe to throw away old bank statements?

You may be ready to throw them out, but you’re not sure how. Is it safe to throw away old bank statements, or do you need to shred them first? According to the Federal Trade Commission, you should shred documents containing sensitive information, including bank statements, to protect yourself from identity theft.

What documents should you keep after someone dies?

Copies of the following bills will be needed:

• Utility bills.
• Cell phone bills.
• Credit card bills.
• Mortgages and personal loans (including lines of credit)
• Real estate tax bills.
• Storage unit bills.
• Medical bills.
• Funeral bill.

How long do you keep checks and bank statements?

seven years

Should I keep old checks?

It’s a good idea to go through your checks once a year and to keep those related to your taxes, business expenses, home improvements and mortgage payments. You can shred the others that have no long-term importance.

Do I need to keep old checkbooks?

Technically, though, check registers only need to be kept for several months for the purpose of balancing your checkbook. Some people recommend keeping checkbook registers for at least 12 months in case “issues” (questions about payment) arise and because some checks may take a while to clear.

How long keep personal Cancelled checks?

What do I do with old duplicate checks?

To get rid of old checks, just use a shredder or other supervised destruction method. You generally aren’t liable if someone steals your checks and uses them fraudulently; however, you don’t want to give someone the opportunity to do so, either. No, you don’t need to notify your bank.

Why should you keep a checkbook register?

Comparing your transaction log or checkbook register makes it easier to spot errors or incorrect charges by merchants as well. It only takes a slip of a finger to enter in the incorrect dollar amount. Looking at your bank records is also a way to keep track of those forgotten subscriptions or fees.

Is it illegal to copy checks?

It’s illegal to photocopy full color, full-sized, double-sided copies of United States paper currency and U.S. Treasury checks. You could be committing the crime of forgery if you do so with penalties ranging from probation and community service to five years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

Is a photocopy of a check valid?

Banks can use photos or photocopies of an original check in order to make a substitute. However, these replicas must be made by the bank itself in order to be valid.

What is a legal copy of a check?

A substitute check is a special paper copy of the front and back of an original check. It may be slightly larger than the original check. The front of a substitute check should state: “This is a legal copy of your check. You can use it the same way you would use the original check.”

Can I make a photocopy of my Social Security card?

If you are providing proof of eligibility to work in the US using your Social Security card, your employer will need to see your Social Security card. A photocopy will not suffice.